The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

Fantastic book, really helps you to fully appreciate Marcus Aurelius' Meditations. Also helps you to understand more about Marcus and his world

This book is a joy to read. Although challenging and one has to keep focus at the same time as taking moments to contemplate the written. This is a complete analysis of Stoic philosophy through the eyes of Marcus Aureliuse's Meditations, however also included rich references to Epictetus and other Stoic philosophers to add additional context. This is the "bible" of Stoicism, in my mind. It probably is beneficial to have at least a basic understanding of Stoic philosophy and to have read the Meditations before diving into this deep and rich book of pure wisdom. For me who has been studying the Stoics for a while now, it has provided the most complete picture of fully understanding all the different aspects of Stoicism, how Physics, Ethics and Logic tie in together. One can not come away from this book with at the very least a different perspective on live and the world we live in. The Stoics challenge us to see the bigger picture, to pull ourselves up above everything and see it with greater clarity and objectivity, This comes through the historical texts alone, but Hadot with his analysis adds profound context.

I came to this book seeking further understanding of Marcus' reflections and was not dissappointed. Not only did M.Hadot provide detailed and thought provoking interpretive comment but also set the "Meditations" in the various contexts of Stoic discourse, Greco-Roman philosophy, the history of the time and Marcus' own life. The role of such a treatise is to provide additional value to to the work on which it reflects and M.Hadot does this admirably. His work manifests exceptional sensitivity to and knowledge of his subject as well as, in my opinion, a clarity that only comes with maturity. The book requires and rewards effort and concentration but will not tolerate superficial reading, I re-read Staniforth's translation of Aurelius as a parallel text guided by the references in Hadot and found the comparison of interpretation most rewardng. Thank you so much for sharing your understanding M.Hadot

Rather than being a commentary on Marcus, the focus of this book is rather very much in the opposite direction, that is to say, Pierre Hadot mostly examines Stoicism in general and then indicates via choice quotations how Marcus Aurelius in his writings adheres to the tenets of the school. Much is given over to Epictetus in particular, as being a huge influence on Marcus, and Hadot subsequently explores his categorisation of three "disciplines" of Stoicism, namely "assent", "desire" and "action". The author opens with a very valuable discussion on the history of the so-called "Meditations" and how it may have originated and what purpose it may have served, and closes with an analysis about what we may learn of the character of Marcus via his writings. Those looking for a straightforward commentary on the "Meditations" may not find quite what they are looking for here, but it's a valuable work going deeper into the background and context of Marcus' writings and indeed a very good work on Stoicism in general.

What I like about this book: Very well documented, scientific work. Deep dive into the thinking of Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius. The book shows us parallels between the roots of our Western Culture and Buddhism. With some chewing the book is stuffed with great insights and quotes. What could have been better: Lacks consistency in the use of words, labels, ... which creates unnecessary confusion while reading. The message of the book could have been made more easy with the same effect

This is certainly a very good book. The author is very thorough and backs up his opinions very well. However I was expecting the book to include a translation of the Meditations. It doesn't, it's just a book about the Meditations. It's an understandable mistake to make, in my opinion, because the title of the book is The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

Pierre Hadot dispensa apresentações, profundo pesquisador e apaixonado pela filosofia antiga, nesse livro ele descobre para os neófitos, nuanças que passam despercebidas para quem lê aleatoriamente esse livro que era um diário particular do Imperador, e que veio a se tornar um livro. Ele cobre aspectos históricos, lexicais e kephaleias, postos principais do livro, as ideias repetidas, e sutis interpretações, sendo que ele fez um estudo partindo de uma tradução de trechos pessoalmente. Está em inglês, considero obra fundamental para entender as Meditações de forma mais profunda, se aproximando do pensamento original do próprio Marcus Aurelius. Há um ressurgimento do estoicismo na era moderna, as Meditações estão entre os livros principais, e esse livro dá um suporte necessário quase a nível scholar sobre "overlooked" aspectos contidos nos pensamentos do Imperador Filósofo.

Já tinha lido as meditações de Marcos Aurélio mas Hadot dá-nos uma interpretação

Informative and essential reading.

This was a gift for my 26year old grandson. He said there are many meditations he is interested in. Great purchase

It’s easy to read and help to understand the stoic philosophy