Introduction Note on the Text Select BibliographyA Chronology of Marcus AureliusMeditationsAppendix: A Selection from the Correspondence between Marcus Cornelius Fronto and Marcus AureliusExplanatory NotesList of Letters TranslatedIndex of Themes
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1．From my grandfather* Verus, nobility of character and evenness of temper.2．From the reputation of my father* and what I remember of him, modesty and manliness.3．From my mother,* piety and generosity, and to abstain not only from doing wrong but even from contemplating such an act; and the simplicity, too, of her way of life, far removed from that of the rich.4．From my great-grandfather,* that I never had to attend the public schools, but benefited from good teachers at home, and to have come to realize that this is a matter on which one should spare no expense.5．From my tutor,* not to have sided with the Greens or the Blues [at the chariot-races] or the gladiators* with the long shields or short ones; to endure hardship, and have few needs; to do things for myself and not meddle in the affairs of others; and to turn a deaf ear to slander. 6．From Diognetus,* not to become obsessed with trivialities, and not to believe the claims of miracle-mongers and charlatans about incantations and the expulsion of demons and the like; not to engage in quail-fighting or become excited over pursuits of that kind; to be willing to tolerate plain speaking; to have become familiar with philosophy, and to have attended the lectures first of Baccheius, and then of Tandasis and Marcianus; to have written compositions as a boy; to have wished for a plank bed covered only with a skin and for everything that formed part of the greek discipline.7．From Rusticus:* I gained the idea that my character was in need of correction and cultivation; and from him I learned not to write treatises on purely theoretical matters, or deliver little moralizing sermons, or play the ascetic or the benefactor in a manner calculated to impress; to abstain from oratory, and verse, and fine language, and not to walk around the house in ceremonial clothing, or indulge in other such vanities; to write letters in an unaffected style, as he did when he wrote to my mother from Sinuessa; with regard to those who have angered or wronged me, to be easily recalled to my usual frame of mind, and to be easily reconciled as soon as they are willing to make a move in my direction; to read with care and attention, and not be satisfied with a superficial impression; not to agree too quickly with those who talk with a fluent tongue; and finally, it was through him that I came to know the Discourses of Epictetus, as he lent me a copy from his own library. 8．From Apollonius:* inner freedom, and to be decisive without leaving anything to chance; to look to no other guide, even for an instant, than reason alone; to remain ever the same, in the; to remain ever the same, in the face of severe pain, after losing a child, or during long illnesses; to see clearly from his living example that a person can be extremely energetic and yet relaxed; not to become irritable when expounding a text; and to see in him someone who clearly regarded the skill and fluency that he showed in communicating philosophical doctrines as the least of his gifts; and to learn how one should accept from friends what pass for apparent favours without lowering oneself as a result or shoeing an insensitive disregard.9．From Sextus:* a kindly disposition and the example of a household governed by the father of the house; the idea of what it means to live in accordance with nature;* gravity without affection, and a careful regard for the interests of one’s friends; patience towards the unlearned and those whose opinions are not founded on methodical reflection. The example of one who could accommodate himself to all kinds of people, so that his conversation was more charming than any flattery, while at the same time he aroused the deepest respect from those who associated with him. To show a sure grasp and methodical approach in searching out and ordering the principles necessary for life. And he never displayed even a sign of anger or of any other passion, but seemed at once to be completely free of passion and full of affection for his fellow human beings; and to be ready to praise, without being too demonstrative, and to possess extensive knowledge without making a show oof it.10.From Alexander the grammarian:* not to be over-critical; and not to interrupt and correct those who have employed a solecism or some outlandish or discordant expression, but rather to suggest adroitly the very expression which ought to have been used while professing to offer a reply or some further confirmation, or to use some other tactful procedure to suggest the right expression in an indirect fashion.11.From Fronto:* to have some conception of the malice, caprice, and hypocrisy that accompany absolute rule; and that, on the whole, those whom we rank as patricians are somewhat lacking in natural affection.*12.From Alexander the Platonist:* that we should not often or without due necessity either say to anyone or write in a letter, ‘I am too busy’, nor in this way should we constantly try to evade the obligations imposed on us by our social relationships by pleading the excuse of urgent business.13.From Catulus:* not to disregard a rebuke from a friend, even if his criticism may be unreasonable, but to try to restore him to his usual frame of mind; to offer unsinting praise to one’s teachers as is recorded of Athenodotus and Domitius;* and to show genuine love to one’s children.14.From [my brother] Severus:* love for one’s family, for truth, for justice; that through him I came to know Thrasea, Helvidius, Cato, Dio, Brutus,* and to conceive that idea of a balanced constitution, and of government founded on equity* and freedom of speech, and of a monarchy which values above all things the freedom of the subject; and from him too a consistent and unfailing respect for philosophy; and from him too a consistent and unfailing respect for philosophy; and a readiness to help others, and open-handed generosity; to be of good hope, and trus in the affection of one’s friends; and how he would be completely open with those who incurred his disapproval, and that his friends never had to resort to conjecture about what he wished or did not wish, for it was plain to see.15.From Maximus:* to be master of oneself, and never waver in one’s resolve; to be cheerful when ill, or in any other predicament; the example of a character marked by a harmonious blend of gentleness and gravity; to set to work on the task at hand without complaint. And the confidence he inspired in everyone that what he was saying was just what he thought, and that whatever he did was done with no bad intent; never to be surprised or discontented; and never to act in haste, or hang back, or be at a loss, or be downcast, and never to fawn on others or, on the other hand, be irascible or suspicious. To be beneficent, and ready to forgive, and free from guile; to give the impression of being someone who never deviates from what is right rather than one who has to be kept on the right path; and how nobody would ever have imagined that Maximus looked down on him, or yet have presumed to suppose that he was better than Maximus; and to be of good humour.16.From my [adoptive] father:* to be gentle, and to hold immovably to judgements arrived after careful consideration; to be free from vain conceit with regard to worldly honours; zest for work and perseverance; to lend a ready ear to those who have anything to propose for the common benefit; never to be deflected from rewarding each person according to his deserts; to know by experience when to exert oneself and when to relax; to put a check on pederastic love affairs;* regard for the feelings of others, and how he would not always insist that his friends should attend his table or accompany him on his travels, and how they would alwas find him ever the same if they had been kept away by other business. At sessions of the council,* to examine every question with scrupulous care, and to be patient, as it was not his way to infatuations; to be self-sufficient in every respect, and to show a cheerful face to the world; to look far ahead, and plan even the smallest matters in advance, without making a song and dance about it. How he put a curb on the public acclamations and every kind of flattery during his reign; and the care that he constantly devoted to the needs of the empire, and his prudent stewardship of the public revenues, and his willingness to put up with the criticisms from superstitious fears; and with regard to people, not to court public favour by seeking to please at any price or pandering to the mob; but sobriety in all things, and firmness, and never a trace of vulgarity or lust for novelty.
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