Meditations

This is the inner monologue of a ruler with a strong sense of morality. It is a book written for himself and 12 dialogues between himself and himself. In the book, Aurelius examines the relationship between nature and society, the universe and life, reason and desire, self and others, and analyzes his unique inner world. Aurelius, who believed in Stoic philosophy, emphasized that people should live a rational life, with the body obeying the soul and emotions obeying the reason. As a human being, on the one hand, we must serve the society and assume responsibilities, and on the other hand, we must cultivate our own virtues and maintain peace of mind and self-sufficiency. The author was an emperor of ancient Rome, and he did not leave any great achievements in politics. However, this "Meditations" written while working hard on the horse has been regarded by countless generations as the greatest work in history. The book has always been considered to have "an incredible charm that combines sweetness, melancholy and nobility". Its nobility comes from the seriousness, solemnity, purity and sublimity of the author's thoughts; its melancholy comes from the author's feelings about being in the palace and in troubled times; and its sweetness comes from the peace and tranquility of the author's mind. The author himself has experienced a lot of hardships and pain. The heavy public responsibilities and personal experiences plunged him into pessimism, but it was precisely because of his philosophical contemplation that he was able to live a strong life and shoulder his responsibilities bravely.