With a profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others. With a profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and … Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I had read about half of the book, which (laughable as it is) only equates to about 40 pages. First I complain about the text being too difficult to read, then I find the more readable translation and finally I find something to complain about, in that one as well. Thanks for the tip. It points this disregard of the sequence of life and birth in favour of an abstract and fruitless virtue, it points it indeed with a barbed point that the son of Marcus Aurelius was the unspeakable Commodus, and that the Roman Empire fell from the temporizing detachment of his rule into a century of disorder and misery. Don’t be put off by other people’s comments and criticism. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average.

His later reputation rests on his Meditations, written during his later years and never meant for formal publication Gregory Hays is assistant professor of classics at the University of Virginia. This translation is completely unreadable - like maybe they just fed the text into google translate? Sorry, there was a problem saving your cookie preferences. You have lived your life.

Maybe there was hope. '', And it does, both aphoristically ('Think of yourself as dead.

( Log Out /  Problems are Created in the Mind. You may loose a little of the original content, but if it leaves you longing for more – buy the original(which there probably are a few of, mine is Simon and Brown edition) – after you read the hays version. But if you are looking to better come to terms with Marcus Aurelius, the best translation is the one that best handles key technical Stoic terms. Offers a modern translation of the Roman philosopher's journal. Maybe half a year later, I read something about Meditations again, and someone commented, what was close to my experience about the book; that it was almost unreadable – to which some other guy replied; that the only version worth reading was the Hays translation. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121 180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2019. This actually makes me question whether I at some point should pick up the “old” and heavy translation and fight my way through it. The Worst Translation from Latin to English Ever, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 September 2019.

Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. With this one is was more like 10-15 sittings.

Try again. Minus: This is obviously a revival of a very old translation, presumably rushed out to cash in on the current craze for Stoic thought. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Glossy covers, perfectly bound on really inferior grade paper, set in 8pt type solidly leaded, practically unreadable. I gave up after struggling with the introduction. We use cookies and similar tools to enhance your shopping experience, to provide our services, understand how customers use our services so we can make improvements, and display ads.

Consequently, the Meditations have become required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style.

Then the same passage from the “old” Simon & Brown edition – where I actually marked it: Think thyself fit and worthy to speak, or to do anything that is according to nature, and let not the reproach, or report of some that may ensue upon it, ever deter thee.

The kindle edition shows the (excellent) translation of G. Hays for the Modern Library. Plus: The introduction gives an interesting sketch of MA's life and background, although in 19th C style English. Reading it really took a strain on me everytime. Now take what's left and live it properly.') You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. As with most books, I find being recommended, by several different people, I ended up buying it.
I can’t remember who initially led me towards Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, but ever since that first reference, I have stumble upon many, who recommended it. But overall, even with my enthusiasm and motivation, I finally had to give up. On the last page, it says the end and printed by Amazon. --Robert Fagles. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, translated and introduced by Gregory Hays, by that standard, is very worthwhile, indeed. Should be removed from Amazon.

If you switch to the paperback, the cover shown is different, but you would assume that the translation is the same. Discourses and Selected Writings (Penguin Classics), How To Be A Stoic: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living, Live Like A Stoic: 52 Exercises for Cultivating a Good Life, The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living: Featuring new translations of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life. Don’t be distracted. Don’t waste your money buying this abysmal translation. And as expected, I started making lots of marks in the book – the content was really good.

Strangely this is very easy for me to answer.

Just to be clear: I am reviewing the 2018 edition published by East India out of Ottowa.

Oh – that’s a version I have never heard of. ( Log Out /  Hmm – grabbed my book and looked – not the Hays version.

A very poor translation by someone who needs to study the English language. Amazon may - or may not - tag the review to the right item! Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, the best version, "Nailing" perfect sprint technique; high knee, quick recovery and toes up with one simple tip. I just read Hicks’ “The Emperors handbook”. I went straight to amazon, found the Hays translation and ordered it.

Hays suggests that its most recent incarnation--as a self-help book--is not only valid, but may be close to the author's intent. Challenge your body and mind, in any way you can. I’m by no means a speed-reader, but I read a lot, and that would in “normal” books, probably be one or maximum two sittings, with the book. If you’re reading Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations for the first time and you’re looking for a readable translation, Ryan Holiday recommends the Gregory Hays translation for its readability, and it is quite readable. Read it because it’s actually readable.

A student of philosophy from his earliest youth, he was especially influenced by the first-century Stoic thinker Epictetus.

You just can’t seem to satisfy some people…. One measure, perhaps, of a book's worth, is its intergenerational pliancy: do new readers acquire it and interpret it afresh down through the ages? I can’t remember who initially led me towards Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, but ever since that first reference, I have stumble upon many, who recommended it. Trouble sleeping because of pre-workout supplements? As a linguist and translator I have to say that this is an appalling translation. But where does this lead you, looking for the right translation to read?

Meditations: A New Translation by Gregory Hays Try Maxwell Staniforth’s translation. Hays's introduction, which sketches the life of Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) as well as the basic tenets of stoicism, is accessible and jaunty. Search for a recommended version. Very good read, not too difficult to read like some philosophical texts can be and I would recommend it to everyone.

After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Please try again.

Unable to add item to List. I went back through the “old” translation and compared notes with the new Hays translation – were there parts that rang more true in the old translation than in the new? posted by Cassilda at 6:55 AM on May 19, 2008

In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.

Marcus's insights and advice--on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others--have made the "Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style.

Read the Hays translation: Meditations: A New Translation – at least at first. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Follow your own nature, and follow Nature – along the road they share.

This was readable english. A new translation, with an Introduction, by Gregory Hays Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121 180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161 and Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. If it’s right to say or do it, then it’s the right thing for you to do or say. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2019. "Courtesy and serenity of temper I first learnt to know from my grandfather Versus." From what could have been an attractive, easy to read textbook had it been given to a graphic designer or someone in the publishing business, it is a disgrace. There's a problem loading this menu at the moment. In Gregory Hays s new translation the first in a generation Marcus s thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented. Finally I put it back on the shelf and went on to read some other book, not really knowing when or if I would return to it. Change ). A new translation, with an Introduction, by Gregory Hays Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (a.d. 121 180) succeeded his adoptive father as emperor of Rome in a.d. 161 and Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. I had to find out, if this translation really was that superior – and low an behold – it really was. But man was I in for a shock! In fact some sentences are actually meaningless. It shows it stream of consciousness perfectly and also holds fascinating details about life as a roman emperor in that era. The English grammar was so bad I couldn't follow the meaning.

Seconding the Hays translation. Therefore the kind of heavy-to-read old english was semi-expected. I think if you are reading Marcus Aurelius for the first time you should consider getting the best translation, which is by Maxwell Staniforth (1964) on Amazon here. Even though I was in the midst of two other books when it arrived, I started reading it right away. It is not.
If it be right and honest to be spoken or done, undervalue not thyself so much, as to be discouraged from it. The vocabulary used is totally inappropriate for the period of antiquity in which it was written - full of Americanisms like "guys".

As for them, they have their own rational over-ruling part, and their own proper inclination: which thou must not stand and look about to take notice of, but go on straight, whither both thine own particular, and the common nature do lead thee; and the way of both these is but one.

Don't bother. As it's written in 'books' which equates to chapters within them it contains numbered paragraphs, sometimes leading on the same vein as the last, some switching to a different subject. As with most books, I find being recommended, by several different people, I ended up buying it. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 December 2018.