- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial (May 24 2001)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060955104
- ISBN-13: 978-0060955106
- Product Dimensions: 18.6 x 12.9 x 1.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #981,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Abraham Lincoln claimed that the best way to test a man's character was to give him power. Surely, Marcus Aurelius's golden reign over the Roman Empire, A.D. 161 to A.D. 180, was such a test. Although this well-educated pagan despised wars and battles, "barbarian" tribes constantly besieged his empire on the Asian and German borders. As a result, he spent eight miserable winters camped by the frozen Danube River acting as commander-in-chief over his triumphant armies. During those gloomy nights, he wrote many of the meditations that appear in this excellent translation.
The lack of arrogance or self-pity in his ruminations offers proof that Aurelius passed Lincoln's test of character with flying colors. Furthermore, the best way to test a person's writing is to give it time. Once again, Aurelius aced the test. For example, contemporary world leaders would do well to heed his advice under the heading "Talking and Being": "Stop talking about what the good person should be, and just be that person." Most of these quotes are similarly brief as he extols the virtues of working hard, not acting impulsively, and living in communion with the natural world. Like Thich Nhat Hanh and Kahlil Gilbran, Marcus Aurelius is an accessible writer of lasting spiritual integrity. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
HFans of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations will enjoy this well-designed, accessible compendium of the Roman Emperor's spiritual insights. Film producer Forstater (of Monty Python and the Holy Grail fame) may seem an irreverent choice to edit the Stoic philosopher's thoughts, but what Forstater lacks in facility with the original Greek he more than compensates for in enthusiasm for his subject. In his introduction (which, at 90 pages, runs a bit long), Forstater identifies several areas in which Aurelius's teachings seem particularly timely, calling special attention to harmony with the environment and the cultivation of personal virtue. This is a book to savor and return to, like a friend. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
I'm sitting in a cybercafe in Soho, London, sipping on a cappuccino. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I'm sitting in a cybercafe in Soho, London, sipping on a cappuccino. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad,
By WKT (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Spiritual Teachings Of Marcus Aurelius, The (Hardcover)
This book received a lot of bad reviews which I don't think it deserved. First of all it is a modern translation of Aurelius--so therefore a little--I should say--a lot more understandable to a modern day reader. And after having read other more literate versions--I don't think much is lost here. The fact Marcus Aurelius has a lot to say to us today--strangly enough--more so than the people of his own era. The into could have been shorter--but the meat of this book (the sayings) is more than worth the price!
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Bargain,
By POGO (United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Spiritual Teachings Of Marcus Aurelius (Audio Cassette)
I almost didn't buy this audio cassette since many previous reviewers panned it. I'm very glad I did buy it. If you are looking for a scholarly work on Marcus Aurelius, this isn't it, sorry. Rather consider it more of a primer on the teachings or Marcus Aurelius. I particularly like to listen to it on the way to work. I didn't find it that different from what I had read in the Penguin classics edition, merely abridged. So, if you want a good taste of what The Stoic emperor was all about, give it a listen. You won't be disappointed.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Waste of Money,
By A Customer
This review is from: Spiritual Teachings Of Marcus Aurelius, The (Hardcover)
The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius by Mark Forstater is not a book recommended for any serious student of Stoic teachings. The book contains no actual text from Aurelius' teachings or meditations, rather it contains only Mr. Forstater's thoughts on what Marcus Aurelius was thinking. Furthermore, since Mr. Forstater is not any type of noted scholar in stoicism, I don't understand what prompted him to tackle such an important historical figure. The book would have had much more value to me had it contained actual translations of Aurelius'teachings but unfortunately it didn't even exceed that hurdle.
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