Meditations (Ballard Classics)

"You have power over your mind--not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.". "Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.". "In your actions, don't procrastinate. In your conversations, don't confuse. In your thoughts, don't wander. In your soul, don't be passive or aggressive. In your life, don't be all about business.". "Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement and it is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended the writings to be published. The work has no official title, so "Meditations" is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs.. The Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Aurelius' life. The style of writing that permeates the text is one that is simplified, straightforward, and perhaps reflecting Aurelius' Stoic perspective on the text.. A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and developing a cosmic perspective. Aurelius advocates finding one's place in the universe and sees that everything came from nature, and so everything shall return to it in due time.