World Famous Comics: The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
By: Marcus Aurelius Publisher: Scribner Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: Scribner Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: November 05, 2002 Release Date: November 05, 2002
MEASURE OF A MAN IS THE WORTH OF THE THINGS HE CARES ABOUT.
IF IT IS GOOD TO SAY OR DO
SOMETHING, THEN IT IS
EVEN BETTER TO BE CRITICIZED FOR
HAVING SAID OR DONE IT.
ARE MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES
HEALTHY AND ROBUST? ON THIS HANGS EVERYTHING.
Essayist Matthew Arnold described the man who wrote these words as "the most beautiful figure in history." Possibly so, but he was certainly more than that. Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire at its height, yet he remained untainted by the incalculable wealth and absolute power that had corrupted many of his predecessors. Marcus knew the secret of how to live the good life amid trying and often catastrophic circumstances, of how to find happiness and peace when surrounded by misery and turmoil, and of how to choose the harder right over the easier wrong without apparent regard for self-interest.
The historian Michael Grant praises Marcus's book as "the best ever written by a major ruler," and Josiah Bunting, superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, calls it "the essential book on character, leadership, duty." Never intended for publication, the Meditations contains the practical and inspiring wisdom by which this remarkable emperor lived the life not of a saintly recluse, but of a general, administrator, legislator, spouse, parent, and judge besieged on all sides.
The Emperor's Handbook offers a vivid and fresh translation of this important piece of ancient literature. It brings Marcus's words to life and shows his wisdom to be as relevant today as it was in the second century. This book belongs on the desk and in the briefcase of every business executive, political leader, and military officer. It speaks to the soul of anyone who has ever exercised authority or faced adversity or believed in a better day.
A mediocre translation of a great book This review is of the translation, not of the work (which I would rate 5 stars).
The translation in "The Emperor's Handbook" is probably more readable to a general audience than the much more accurate Loeb Classical Library translation, but the writing has been spun into soundbites. Marcus Aurelius did not write in soundbites. This results in a punchier work that is more accessible yet unfortunately shallower as well. The tone of a man writing for his own edification is turned into an almost preachy self-help book. Which is apparently what the publisher wanted, something to follow "The Book of Five Rings" and "The Art of War" as the latest book to help businessmen sound pseudo-intellectual and impress their non-reading fellow businessmen . . . and there are lots of readily-quotable soundbites separated out for easy use.
I am not being snarky. Read the intro and see who their target audience is. See what they are trying to accomplish.
Marcus Aurelius never would have named his work "The Emperor's Handbook," because he was not trying to teach people how to be emperor. He did not write in preachy soundbites.
Marcus Aurelius was a man trying to remind himself how to be a better person and live according to his stoic principles. This translation abandons that basic point.
Emperors book of wisdom This book will give you the rare opportunity to read a book of wisdom written by a Roman Emperor. Marcus Aurelius was a well liked emperor you lived from 120 A.D. to 180 A.D. ruling in the late part of his life. The book's theme is to live your life in balance with the universe. Do your duty and fulfill the role the "Gods" put you on earth to do. Let reason be your master always doing what is beneficial to all. Do not sin because you only sin against yourself. Why worry about correcting others behaviors when you have so much uncompleted work to do on yourself. If you enjoy reading Plato, Epictetus, or philosophy in general I know you will enjoy reading this book, it is truly packed with wisdom and will take you back to Roman times and let you see how the wise among them thought before the dark ages and modern religion came on the stage of civilization. Very interesting read.
Timeless Wisdom For All People Here in this book are the age old ideals and philosophies that inspired great peoples throughout the world and many of those who faught for and formed the foundations of America. These are not new ideas, even at the time of this rulers ponderings, but are concepts that have been handed down by the wisest of individuals in one form or another from time immemorial.
If only we the frail creatures of Gods providence would walk towards this wisdom, rather than away from it as we seem to be doing these days, we would be more capable of addressing the problems that face our world and our nation better. Unfortunately our two party system of government requires that one side be totally apposed to these great thoughts and concepts and "We The People" have to deal with both sides being at odds on just about everything important and in the end both are right and both are wrong on scores of issues.
This happens because everytime the modern day scholar (nearly all of them) attempts to interpret these wonderful concepts of old, they forget to take into account the thought processes and conditions of those who wrote them, and instead look with eyes blinded by their own feeble twentieth and twenty-first century concepts, ideals and minds. They do not have a real tinme sensitive basis upon which to raise above their own egos, partisan thoughts and special interest prejudices and see clearly the significant meanings behind the great thoughts presented to them. This is not only in reading Marcus Aurelius but the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the writings of our Founding Fathers and Mothers.
This is an excellent book, masterfully put together, for the individual to look inwardly and make adjustments to his or her soul that will enable him/her to be a better person, spouse, father, sibling, friend and citizen. It can bring inner peace to those who have nothing but constant turmoil of spirit.
It is unfortunate that this wisdom is no longer being taught to our children. I certainly never was exposed to this by any instructor I ever had, in any form in primary or secondary education nor my college work. It was only through an innate desire to read everything I could get my hands on both politically and philosohically that I found and ordered this book.
One finds a quiet peace after reading this book and pondering it's contents and I would recommend it to anyone who yearns for a higher understanding of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness so inculcated and enshrined in the founding philosophies and documents of our nation.
Cetainly a great book to be readily available for reference.
One of the most significant books in my life Obviously, one may think the tag line is a bit of a dramatization, but it is not.
This collection of verses speaks to the timeless wisdom Aurelius distilled while at war. Truly a philosopher well beyond his time, his successful attempt to expound stoic ideals and how they can be APPLIED is always inspiring.
My only word of caution is that where you are in life right now may not be the right time for you to read this book. I have bought over 15 copies and given them out to close friends who I think would benefit from the words.
If you enjoy the book, I suggest reading reading the Enchiridion of Epictetus. I read that first, and was stunned by the current translation and text in comparison, even though the core assertion of truth is the same.
Best of luck, and enjoy!
Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Man This book is a collection of philosophical thoughts that were written down by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Hicks brothers did an excellent job of translating these thoughts into Modern English. Some words appear to be inaccurate as they refer to concepts or atomic particles that were likely unknown to the Romans. Regardless, the use of these words and concepts does not diminish the greater point being made by Emperor Aurelius.
The book is only 145 pages long and is broken into twelve "books" or chapters. Each chapter usually runs between 30-60 thoughts or passages. Because the book is essentially a collection of passages, it is not something that one should sit down and read cover to cover. Some readers may want to use a pencil to underline certain thoughts for quick reference. One nice aspect of this book is that several significant passages were highlighted in gray boxes for quick recall. All in all, this book is best read in short bursts. The reader may also want to re-read certain passages over again in order to grasp Marcus Aurelius' true meaning.
The thoughts presented by Marcus Aurelius offer a unique perspective on how the Romans viewed life and death. Marcus spent a great deal of time thinking about death and how people should approach it with dignity. He also looked down on those people who approached death in an undignified way, often with "histrionics." No doubt, these were the Christians who were being put to death and persecuted at the time. Despite this unique Roman perspective on life and death, the book is full of useful guidance. Most of his ideas are still applicable today. Some of the very same thoughts can be found in modern-day books on leadership. For example, Marcus noted "anger is as much a proof of weakness as grief. Both involve being wounded and giving in to one's wounds." This bit of wisdom is as applicable today as it was for the Romans.
Bottom line, this is an easy to read book of philosophical passages. The thoughts on leadership, death, and how to live a good life are as applicable today as they were in the time of the Romans. The reader would be hard put to find another book with as much wisdom as is contained in these 145 pages.
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