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Clever_Mercury t1_j6bpy3i wrote

Something that might help others to know, Marcus Aurelius likely suffered from severe depression in his early years, particularly as a ruler. That's partly what led him to stoicism, the philosophy he is now famous for. He had to frequently go out on campaigns, traveling around with the military when he was, at heart something more like an academic or lawyer.

He overcame his sense of emptiness and reconciled himself to what he saw as his duty by studying human behavior. His journals and writings are fascinating.

I'm not saying people can (or should) try to heal themselves with motivational posters, but I do think it helps to know people in the past struggled too and that they found journaling, talking, and exploring human behavior helpful. Maybe that can be inspiring.

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StowinMarthaGellhorn t1_j6cw2ny wrote

I read his writings every morning before I meditate. These two practices have transformed my life this last year. Got me graciously through a divorce after a ten year marriage and have vaulted me in my career. His work is amazing.

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studentofarkad t1_j6df687 wrote

Any particular writing you recommend? u/StowinMarthaGellhorn

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LeYellowFellow t1_j6dim0o wrote

Not too familiar with other stoic writing, but I assume she’s referencing Meditations by Aurelius, which is his personal journaling and the most popular piece of stoic literature

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EazyPeazyLemonSqueaz t1_j6dndlp wrote

If you get meditations just be sure to get the easy-to-understand translation and not one that sounds like Shakespeare. Unless reading old English is your thing.

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jay212127 t1_j6dr8fs wrote

This sounds kind of funny as it isn't even trying to read the originals like one would for Shakespeare (a literary purist)

If you aren't reading Aurelius in Latin there is little point in not getting a good modern translation.

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StowinMarthaGellhorn t1_j6dxxdx wrote

You can start with Meditations, but Ryan Holiday has a great book called the Daily Stoic that gives you daily excerpts from the Stoics along with brief explanations and reflections.

I read the Daily Stoic first, and then read Meditations, as well as some works by Epictetus and Seneca.

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trumpbuysabanksy t1_j6e73tn wrote

Please share

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StowinMarthaGellhorn t1_j6gkpm4 wrote

You can start with Meditations, but Ryan Holiday has a great book called the Daily Stoic that gives you daily excerpts from the Stoics along with brief explanations and reflections.

I read the Daily Stoic first, and then read Meditations, as well as some works by Epictetus and Seneca.

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