Meditations
Private philosophical exercises written in Greek; at least part dates from his later military campaigns.
Rome, Roman Empire · 121–180 CE
Marcus Aurelius
Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher
Explore this tradition and related voices →A Stoic voice on responsibility, character, and meeting the work directly before us.
The person behind the ideas
Marcus Aurelius ruled as Roman emperor from 161 to 180 CE. Alongside the demands of public office, he wrote the private exercises now known as Meditations. These notes return to judgment, duty, mortality, and the effort to act well with other people.
Biography sources
Biography reference →At a glance
- Born
- 121 CE
- Died
- 180 CE
- Birthplace
- Rome, Roman Empire (Italy)
- Notable works
- Meditations · Correspondence with Fronto
- Tradition
- Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher
Ideas and outlook
His private exercises return to disciplined judgment, justice toward other people, and acceptance of mortality. Stoic virtue supplies a standard for conduct amid the pressures of imperial rule.
About the works
Correspondence with Fronto
Surviving letters to his rhetoric teacher and friend, spanning youth and imperial life.
Life milestones
- 161 CE
Succeeds Antoninus Pius as Roman emperor.
- Later years of his reign
Writes at least part of the Meditations during military campaigns.
- 180 CE
Dies after a reign of nineteen years.
From this voice
A thought in the atlas
“I do my duty: other things trouble me not.”
Meditations · Book 6, Section 22
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The art of listening
If someone can show me that I am wrong in thought or action, I will gladly change—for I seek the truth.
Meditations 6.21
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Meditations 6.21 (excerpt)
This is an Alrewaq adaptation, not a verbatim quotation or a new translation from Greek. It modernizes and condenses George Long’s translation of Meditations 6.21: “If any man is able to convince me and show me that I do not think or act right, I will gladly change; for I seek the truth by which no man was ever injured.” The displayed passage omits the final clause. Marcus makes willingness to change conditional on being shown an error in thought or action. The keywords and reflection are contemporary Alrewaq commentary.
Read the source ↗Letting go gently
All existing things soon change
Meditations 6.4
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Meditations 6.4 (excerpt)
Marcus reflects on physical change and dissolution within ancient cosmological possibilities, including dispersion.
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The Stream
All existing things soon change
Meditations 6.4
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Meditations 6.4
Marcus reflects on physical change and dissolution within ancient cosmological possibilities, including dispersion.
Read the source ↗From Socrates to the Stoics
For we are made for co-operation
Meditations · Book II, 1 · excerpt
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Meditations · Book II, 1 · excerpt
Marcus prepares himself to encounter difficult people, grounding cooperation in a shared rational nature. This is a private ethical exercise, not proof that his rule embodied every ideal he expressed. The reflection below does not ask anyone to remain in an unsafe relationship.
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Meditations · Book 6 · Section 22
Design study · verified public-domain translation
Open card →Within · Blessed
Marcus writes to himself about cultivating good judgment and character. His inward turn belongs to a Stoic practice of examining how one thinks and acts.
Looking within does not mean every impulse is wise, or that we never need help from others. Our reflection is a separate, contemporary response.
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