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I read this a long time ago and I can't recommend it enough. It does a good job of introducing the concepts of stoicism and defending the philosophy from our m
by acabal 13y ago
I read this a long time ago and I can't recommend it enough. It does a good job of introducing the concepts of stoicism and defending the philosophy from our modern assumptions of the word. A very good read.
The word 'stoicism' has kind of a bad rap, but I find it a very peaceful and comforting philosophy, and one I actively try to model my life against. Like most life philosophies it's not something that comes naturally or immediately; rather it's something to keep in the back of one's mind and actively strive towards over the course of years.
Those interested can also read Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius, and the Enchiridion, by Epictetus. Both are very short. Be careful with the translation you get of Meditations: if the first few paragraphs seem excruciatingly baroque, then you got a bad one--drop it and find a better translation.
- choxi 13y agoBe careful with the translation you get of Meditations: if the first few paragraphs seem excruciatingly baroque, then you got a bad one--drop it and find a better translation. I downloaded the one that's free off of iBooks and it was impossible to read. Could you recommend a better translation?
- rafaelm 13y agoI've had this one bookmarked for a while, but unfortunately haven't gotten around to reading it: http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/meditations.html http://classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/meditations.html Don't know if that's easier to read though.
- jonnybgood 13y agoI enjoyed this one. It was an easy going read. http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Penguin-Great-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0143036270 http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Penguin-Great-Marcus-Aurel...
- countersixte 13y agoI recently read the Gregory Hays translation [1] and thought it was great. Meditations was Marcus Aurelius's "notes to self" and the Hays edition captures this informal nature. It makes for an easy and delightful read. [1] http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0812968255 http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-New-Translation-Marcus-Aur...
- brc 13y agoWell...can you give a recommended translation?
- jonnybgood 13y agoThis was the best translation I've found. http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Penguin-Great-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/0143036270 http://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Penguin-Great-Marcus-Aurel...
- thewarrior 13y agoI've found Ecclesiastes very comforting : http://www.readbibleonline.net/?page_id=28 http://www.readbibleonline.net/?page_id=28
- lastofus 13y agoIt's my favorite book of the Bible but I always found it the opposite of comforting. If you disregard the bits at the end about the duty of man to keep God's commandments, it seems in parts to basically describe nihilism.
- chokma 13y agoWhen reading chapters 1 and 2, the author focuses heavily on the "nothingness" (hvl - wisp of air) of all human endeavors. But I think it's significant that he does not loose hope altogether: "There is nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor." So the philosophy of Ecclesiastes is almost hedonistic (and views god more as blind fate than a benevolent force or being).
- gcr 13y ago"The Voice" has also a great translation, in my opinion. Very insightful! Thanks for sharing. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+1&version=VOICE http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+1&v...