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07 Dec 2010 /

meditations

By marcus aurelius

Roman General and Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ (161-180 AD) Stoic writings on duty and self-control. The text, written while Aurelius was commanding a military campaign, is often called upon as an exemplar treatise on Roman virtues and cemented Aurelius’ legacy as a “Philosopher-King”. This classical text is usually dated to circa 170-80 AD.

“From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of my temper.

From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty and a manly character.

From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil thoughts; and further, simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich.

From my great-grandfather, not to have frequented public schools, and to have had good teachers at home, and to know that on such things a man should spend liberally.

From my governor, to be neither of the green nor of the blue party at the games in the Circus, nor a partizan either of the Parmularius or the Scutarius at the gladiators' fights; from him too I learned endurance…”

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