Meditations by Marcus Aurelius translated by George W. Chrystal (~180)
Bonus:
Summary:
Commentary:
Going to try to do this as a "book" a day, which means it'll take me about two week. We'll see if any are super short or long.
1. Grandad: Manners and not raging out
2. Dad: Modest and manly
3. Mom: Piety, generosity, avoiding evil thoughts, frugality
4. Great Grandad: Tutor
5. Tutor:
My tutor taught me not to favour either green or blue at the chariot races, nor, in the contests of gladiators, to be a supporter either of light or heavy armed.
I will always call out these, "don't like stuff" sections in Stoicism. If you're not going to cheer for one team that's obviously morally superior to the other, what's even the point of going to a contest? (You can still appreciate the other team's prowess, and please don't have to go to fan-court.)
6. Diognetus: Don't be vain, don't be superstitious, don't get mad at what other people say, do philosophy
7. Rusticus: Learned to improve self, don't be obnoxious, go with the flow, think and read deeply, EPICTETUS!
8. Apollonius: Liberty, tenacity,
9. Sextus: Don't lose your temper, govern your family affectionately, keep affection without anger.
10. Alexander the Grammarian:
I learned from Alexander the Grammarian to avoid censuring others, to refrain from flouting them for a barbarism, solecism, or any false pronunciation. Rather was I dexterously to pronounce the words rightly in my answer, confining approval or objection to the matter itself, and avoiding discussion of the expression, or to use some other form of courteous suggestion.
Focus on being right, not proving others wrong.
I like this one a lot. I was just reading an article today about a professor complaining about how racist It's A Wonderful Life apparently is. Even if that's true, wouldn't you be better off making something yourself than just whining about an 80 year old movie?
11. Fronto: Nobility are given less affection than commoners.
12. Alexander the Platonist: Help others and fulfill your duties.
13. Catalus: Don't be mad at your friends when they try to talk you out of something, praise your teachers, love your kids.
14. Severus (brother): Love family, truth, and justice. Be ready to go good and be generous. Trust your friends and keep hope. Be honest and candid.
This one is kind of interesting since so much of Enchiridion is about not criticizing others. Excited to see what else is different.
15. Maximus: Control yourself, judge fairly, keep a good attitude, get your work done.
16. Father (adoptive): Be gentle, think before judging, work hard and carefully, listen when people want to help, be severe or lenient when it's right, don't be horny for little boys, be humble. Be balanced and detail oriented, don't give in to flattery, take care of your body, don't be fickle, temperance!
17. The Gods: Good family, friends, and teachers. I'm glad I didn't offend you. Glad I wasn't brought up with a concubine, and stayed out of love/lust as a young man. You don't need a bunch of pageantry to be a prince. A good wife, a cure for vertigo, didn't fall for superstition.
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