The Essential Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor (121-180 AD). He was also a great philosopher. A recent collection of his thoughts have been compiled by Jacob Needleman and John P. Piazza in The Essential Marcus Aurelius. Reading his quotes make you feel as if you are sitting at the feet of a great Christian mystic or an Indian guru.

Here are some examples of the quotes I liked best:

“Whenever you are focused by circumstances to be disturbed in some way, quickly return to yourself and do not loose your footing any longer than is absolutely necessary, for you will have more control over your internal harmony by continually returning to it.”

“The person who sees the present has already seen everything - all that has come from eternity and all that will happen in the infinite future- for all things are of one ancestry and likeness.”

Quotes such as these and many others make you wonder if this a Roman emperor or a preincarnation of Ramesh Balsekar talking. This is wonderful, inspiring book and would make a great gift for a young person starting out on his or her own.

Review by Tony Kainauskas