Meditations
The Meditations are the private notebooks of a Roman emperor. Marcus Aurelius wrote them in Greek, apparently for himself alone, during the last years of his reign in the 170s, much of the time while on campaign along the Danube. There is no argument to follow; the twelve books are short reflections, repeated and reworked, on how to meet death, anger, flattery and the daily irritations of power with the steadiness that Stoic philosophy demanded. The first book is a list of debts to his teachers and family. The text survived by chance and was not printed until the sixteenth century. This edition uses George Long's translation of 1862, which is deliberately plain and has remained one of the most widely read English versions. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Meditations
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Meditations online?
Yes. Meditations opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Meditations free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Meditations is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Meditations in the public domain?
Yes. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is a public-domain work, here in the translation by George Long. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Meditations?
About 3 h 20 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Meditations?
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is filed under "Philosophy" in the Vinteuil library.
