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5. Every moment think steadily as a Roman and a man to do what thou hast in hand with perfect and simple dignity, and feeling of affection, and freedom, and justice; and to give thyself relief from all other thoughts. And thou wilt give thyself relief, if thou doest every act of thy life as if it were the last, laying aside all carelessness and passionate aversion from the commands of reason, and all hypocrisy, and self-love, and discontent with the portion which has been given to thee. Thou seest how few the things are, the which if a man lays hold of, he is able to live a life which flows in quiet, and is like the existence of the gods; for the gods on their part will require nothing more from him who observes these things.
i own this book. and i’ve passed it on to MANY male friends. very solid wisdom in reflections.
Danny,
The book is amazing. I knew I wanted to post some of it and I have been having a difficult time narrowing down which ones.
I definitely need to add this to my library. How have I got on without it thus far? Brilliant stuff.
Stingray, I figure I should point out to you how the recent posts here and your commentary – and contrast – at other places such as Rollo’s, serve to show how unusual your enlightened point of view is. Just so you know: We know. Often unmentioned, never unappreciated. There are a few women I wish I could get to read your blog, but no luck so far. I’ll keep trying. Their lives would be much more satisfying.
“Book of Five Rings” is another MUST read for men. give it a run.
John,
The book is tremendous. It should be required reading.
Just so you know: We know. Often unmentioned, never unappreciated.
Thank you, John. Truly. This means more than I can say.
Wonderful! It’s been a few years since I’ve read the Marcus Aurelius Meditations, and yes, it should be required reading.
Truly, thank you for posting this.
What turned you on to Marcus Aurelius? Stoicism is an excellent place to jump into applied philosophy.
Matt,
Maritus. There are so many books that he has been suggesting to me for years to read. I wish I would have listened sooner as now I feel like there are too many. I see GK Chesterton in my near future as well.
Don’t despair. Even for those of us who began at an early age, the book pile always seems unconquerable.
What you may have lost in time or suppleness of mind you make up in experience and practical wisdom: these books are classics because they are meant to be revisited at each stage in life. What many things you have encountered first-hand in the world will help you more efficiently understand the wisdom that seems opaque at best and nonsensical at worst to the unsober young mind.
Add to that the special joy of personally passing along this wisdom to your flesh and blood. I never watch my favorite movies again, except when I am introducing them to someone new. Their delight becomes my delight.
Just go from one to the next, undaunted. Absorb what you can, mark the books heavily, don’t get hung up on difficult passages — you won’t be tested on reading comprehension. You will be surprised at how much of it you retain just from exposure to the elements, like a child learning language by being immersed in the sound of it.
And especially take heart because you have been designed for fearlessly, even blindly charging ahead. “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jump in with both feet, baby.
Matt
Powerful.
ftcoptripper,
It is. Some of these made my stomach drop. I wish I would post them all.