Meditations , by Emperor Marcus Aurelius, is undoubtedly one of the greatest legacies of Western philosophy: this new edition also features a preface by the great Brazilian intellectual Leandro Karnal.
A set of twelve books originally written in Greek between the years 170 and 180, these are diaries filled with notes, aphorisms, famous quotes and personal reflections of a man concerned with finding the most correct way to live in society and according to his own conscience.
Stoicism, the philosophical school of which Marcus Aurelius belonged, advocates happiness primarily through self-control and self-examination—faculties within the reach of all of us. Inner peace and the common good are possible even in the face of adversity, but to achieve this, balance, humility, and serenity are required—virtues that can be achieved through the exercise of reason, the most incredible human capacity of all.
Whether in the 2nd or 21st century, the world has always presented challenges, wars, discord, betrayal, and corruption of values. Some individuals, however, fight bravely for the improvement of the spirit, and the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius is among this illustrious group.
Meditations is a practical and philosophical guide for those who wish to find happiness and inner peace, good social coexistence, and a more just and harmonious world. This Peace & Land edition features a previously unpublished foreword by historian, professor, and one of Brazil's greatest contemporary intellectuals, Leandro Karnal.
An adventure through a classic and in favor of good living.
"'Meditate' seems to be a verb-attitude opposed to the act of surfing the web. Those who live online flick from one video to another at lightning speed, or jump from sentence to sentence, catching glimpses of fleeting photos. Interestingly, it is in this space that the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius has many quotes from his book, Meditations . What could be the secret?" – from the foreword by Leandro Karnal
“What do the classics offer in times of crisis? Can the wisdom of poets, philosophers, and emperors offer solace? (...) For instruction in the art of resilience, many readers throughout the ages, including Frederick the Great, have chosen Marcus Aurelius.” – The Guardian
