Written in Greek, without any intention of publication, by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher, the <i>Meditations</i> of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Ranging from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the nature of moral virtue, human rationality, divine providence, and Marcus' own emotions. But while the <i>Meditations</i> were composed to provide personal consolation and encouragement, in developing his beliefs Marcus Aurelius also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a timeless collection of extended meditations and short aphorisms that has been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and readers through the centuries.

在一个你无法把握的世界里，你能否让自己有限的一生散发出人性的极度光辉？在古代西方，这是斯多亚派哲学家最为关注的问题。由爱比克泰德的学生阿里安（Arrian）汇集其老师的即席言谈而成的这本《哲学谈话录》，为我们展现的正是这位命途多舛的斯多亚派哲学家对人生至善的理性探讨，教诲我们智者应如何顺应人的本性而生活。