Meditations (Middle Volume)

Name: Meditations (Middle Volume)
ISBN: 9787542628251

Marcus Aurelius AntoninusShanghai Joint Publishing Company · ChinaMay 2018

4.4

Word count: 78K words
Chapters: 13
ISBN: 9787542628251

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Summary

This book was originally a record of the Roman emperor Aurelius's dialogues with himself. The writing is plain and unadorned, yet because it issues from the heart and carries inner spirituality, it is filled with a noble spirit that inspires awe and possesses a profound, sublime beauty. Precisely because it comes from within and is undisguised, we can glimpse how the author, on life's busy road and using his own experience as material, ponders the great meaning of life, fathoms the riddles of the universe, and thereby elevates his wisdom and soul. Philosophy, it turns out, is not as rigid and dull as the philosophy textbooks of later ages, like a row of wooden puppets in a shrine; rather, it is a living stream flowing along life's paths and among mountains and waters, scooped up at will by the meditators who wander there to cleanse their hearts. So in reading the Meditations one may indeed sit upright and analyze it point by point, or one may pick it up and leaf through it at leisure, during a break.

Editor's review

The Meditations is not a philosophical treatise deliberately written for the public but a private diary kept by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius for himself. This work has crossed nearly two thousand years and is still widely read today; its appeal lies in how it shows a Stoic practitioner at the pinnacle of power and responsibility seeking inner tranquility and moral improvement amid turmoil, pressure, and impermanence. The book consists of aphoristic paragraphs dealing with self-examination, responsibility, acceptance of fate, and contemplation of natural reason. Its language is plain and direct, without ornate rhetoric, yet full of power to move the heart. As an editor, I believe the book's unique value lies in its "practical wisdom." It offers no abstract theoretical system but records a person's thoughts and self-dialogue in concrete life situations. Readers can see how an emperor made philosophy a rule of daily life, using it to cope with military setbacks, court intrigue, personal illness, and even the fear of death. This quality of making profound philosophy "fit for daily use" allows the Meditations to transcend barriers of time and culture. For modern readers, in a fast-paced, highly anxious society, this book is like a gentle yet firm spiritual remedy. It teaches us to distinguish what is within our control (our judgments and actions) from what is not (external events and others' opinions), so as to focus our energy on shaping our own character and virtue. It reminds us of life's brevity and urges us to cherish the present and fulfill our responsibilities as members of society. Reading the Meditations is not only a dialogue with an ancient philosopher but also a profound journey inward to examine oneself.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Modern readers seeking inner peace and life guidance from classical wisdom
Learners interested in Stoic philosophy or the history of Western philosophical thought
Leaders or professionals under pressure and responsibility who need spiritual support and methods of self-reflection
Readers who enjoy aphoristic writing and deep thinking in fragmented time

Not a good fit for

Academic researchers expecting systematic, theoretical exposition of a philosophical system
Readers seeking light entertainment or a strong plot-driven reading experience

Reading tips

Read a small number of passages each day (e.g., two or three), and set aside time for reflection, connecting them with the day's experiences.
Read alongside introductory articles or books on Stoic philosophy to better understand its intellectual background.
Keep a notebook to record the sentences that move you most, and write down your own "meditations" or plans for application.

About the publisher

Shanghai Joint Publishing Company China · Founded in 1986

Shanghai Joint Publishing Company focuses on humanities and social science publishing and has developed a distinctive profile in the collation and translation of classical literature and world classics. Its 258 titles in the database cover classical literature, world classics, foreign literature, literary appreciation, general biography, and modern poetry. Representative publications include the Annotated Dream of the Red Chamber by Zhiyanzhai series, as well as collected and selected works by classic authors such as Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and Shakespeare. Its authors and translators include Cao Xueqin, Zhiyanzhai, Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy, Zang Zhonglun, Zeng Siyi, Xu Zhenya, and Cao Ying. The press emphasizes the annotated collation of classic texts and the publication of authoritative translations, forming a publishing profile that spans both Chinese classical literature and world literary classics. Because public information on some details of its publishing history is limited, they are not discussed here.

译序
卷一
卷二
卷三
卷四
卷五
卷六
卷七
卷八
卷九
卷十
卷十一
卷十二

FAQ

For whom was the Meditations written?

It is a private notebook the emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote for himself; it was not originally intended for publication. The content is therefore very personal and introspective—a record of his dialogue with himself and his spiritual practice.

Can I understand it without a philosophy background?

Absolutely. The book's appeal lies precisely in its direct connection to lived experience. It does not require professional philosophical knowledge; its core is plain wisdom about how to live and how to face difficulties and emotions. Starting from any page, you may find inspiration.

What are the features of this Shanghai Sanlian edition?

This is one of the more widely circulated Chinese translations, striving for accuracy and fluency while conveying the plain, meditative quality of the original. It usually includes an introduction or annotations to help readers understand the historical background and philosophical concepts, making it a reliable basic text.

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About the author

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Author · Roman

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last emperor of the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire, reigning from 161 to 180, and also a Stoic philosopher. Born into a Roman aristocratic family, he received an early education in Greek and Latin literature and rhetoric, and later devoted himself to the study of Stoicism. During his reign, war, plague, and natural disasters were constant; amid his military campaigns he wrote in Greek a set of philosophical notes of self-address, the Meditations. Rather than building a system, the work reflects on desire, duty, life and death, and virtue in aphoristic short chapters, in a calm and restrained tone. It became a classic of Stoicism and has had a profound influence on later philosophy and literature. This site carries several of his works, mainly different editions of the Meditations.