Book · Mindset and emotions · c. 170 to 180
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius · 12 books
The Useful verdict: Start with Books 2, 4, 5 and 8. The other books repeat the same ideas in new words, which is the point, but not where to start.
The book in 60 seconds
The private notebook of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, never meant to be published. Again and again he reminds himself to focus on what he controls, to judge events less, to treat people kindly, and to remember that life is short.
Your time
About 2.5 hours to read the parts that matter, instead of about 5 hours for the whole book.
Based on about 203 pages at 40 pages an hour, with skimmed parts counted at a third.
Raja's take
Don't read it front to back. It's a private notebook, not a book with an argument. Open it anywhere, read 1 page, close it. That's how it works best.
Read only these books
Tap any book. Read: Book 2, Book 4, Book 5 and Book 8.
Book 2
Opens with preparing for difficult people and why not to be angry with them.
4 ideas from this book
Expect difficult people
Start the day knowing you'll meet rude people, so they don't knock you off course.
Retreat into yourself
You don't need a holiday to find calm. Take 2 minutes inside your own mind.
Get up for your work
When you don't want to get out of bed, remember what you're here to do.
Drop the judgment
The event isn't what hurts. Your opinion about it is, and you can let it go.
Read it if
You overthink, replay events or get upset by things you can't change.
Skip it if
You want a step-by-step plan. Read The Obstacle Is the Way first.
Used to fix
Fix 1 forI overthink everything
See the fixQuick answers
Is Meditations worth reading?
Yes, but not all of it. Read 4 of its 12 books: Book 2, Book 4, Book 5 and Book 8. The other books repeat the same ideas in new words, which is the point, but not where to start.
Which parts of Meditations should I read?
Read Book 2, Book 4, Book 5 and Book 8. Skim the parts marked skim for their 1 idea, and skip the rest on a first read.
Who is Meditations for?
You overthink, replay events or get upset by things you can't change. Skip it if: You want a step-by-step plan. Read The Obstacle Is the Way first.
Free PDF
Every chapter verdict, in 1 PDF
Which chapters to read, skim or skip for every book in the Library, updated as new books arrive. Plus The Useful Life lessons, 3 a week. Unsubscribe anytime.
