Meditations
by Marcus Aurelius
Mentioned 10 times across 8 shows · first heard Jul 2025 on Hidden Brain.
The general take
Robin Sharma calls Meditations by Marcus Aurelius one of his favorite books of all time, placing it alongside classics like The Prophet and Jobs' biography. Shankar Vedantam describes it as a source of consolation and guidance during upheaval, noting how its teachings felt personally relevant when revisited. Both speakers treat it as a meaningful, enduring work that offers real wisdom during difficult times.
About
A classic of wisdom. A compass for the soul. Step into the mind of a Roman emperor and Stoic sage. Meditations is more than just a philosophical text; it's a powerful guide to living with purpose, courage, and grace. Penned as private reflections, Marcus Aurelius’s words continue to echo across centuries, offering timeless insights into the human condition. Whether you're facing everyday struggles or seeking deeper meaning, this enduring masterpiece speaks directly to the heart and mind, guiding you toward inner strength, clarity, and peace. Why You’ll Love This Book Timeless Wisdom, Everyday Relevance : Discover ancient Stoic principles that still resonate in today’s fast-paced world. Resilience and Inner Peace : Learn how to stay grounded amidst chaos and cultivate calm through self-discipline and perspective.
Who said what
David Fullmer👍 Recommends
…david fullmer discusses reading marcus aurelius meditations during personal development journey
“And, um, so we got really into meditations, heavy into Marcus Aurelius and, um, listening to Jim Rome tapes when I was a kid with my dad cruising up PCH was incredible to, you know, get back into that.”
Digital Social Hour — The Outcast Who Built A Business... | David Fullmer | DSH #2020at 07:17
Ivanka Trump👍 Recommends
…reading stoic philosophy to develop resilience under pressure
“We were talking earlier about stoicism. I think, like, Marcus Aurelius' meditations is so informative on so many levels. I mean, here you have somebody who was literally an emperor, and he's writing this journal in a tent in a battlefield. So his perspective is amazing. And he once wrote that the soul becomes dyed the color of its thoughts.”
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett — Ivanka Trump: My Dad Told Me Two Weeks Before He Ran For President!at 27:54
Steven Bartlett👍 Recommends
…discussing stoic philosophy and how it shapes his approach to politics and life
“Dealing with those moments, you mentioned stoicism. I found this book, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, which I think was quite formative for how you see things in some respects and generally stoicism. Yes. Yes. It's a great book. The amazing thing about it is it's so readable.”
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett — Pierre Poilievre, The Next Prime Minister of Canada?: The Economy Is About To Collapse!at 28:55
Robin Sharma👍 Recommends
…discussing minimalist approach to reading and focusing on a few great books
“Maybe it's Jobs' Isaacson's Autobiography on Jobs, like you mentioned. Maybe it's The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. Maybe it's The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Maybe it's Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, one of my favorite books of all time, you know.”
On Purpose with Jay Shetty — Jay’s Must-Listens: Making Friends as an Adult Is Hard! (8 Powerful Lessons on Building Friendships That Last) Ft. Trevor Noah and Mel Robbinsat 29:30“And then I go immediately from that into my devotionals or reading some kind of philosophical thing. I'm reading meditation, Marcus Aurelius of meditations right now. And, but once you, once you clear your mind, then fill it with something good. Yeah. Fill it with something inspirational, right? I read, I'm reading the Bible. I'm doing those meditations.”
Mick Unplugged — Emotional Intelligence: Jim Burns Reveals the Hidden Advantage in Leadershipat 22:15
Gavin Newsom👍 Recommends
…recommending influential books that shaped newsom's thinking and leadership
“I hate to bring this book up because it's such a universal, obvious book. I had never read it. I've had 10 copies. I finally picked it up off the shelf. I'm like, what the heck? Meditations from Marcus Aurelius. And I'm like, where the hell have I been? Or where's that book been?”
The Ezra Klein Show — The Contradictions of Gavin Newsomat 43:20- EG
Elan Gelfand👍 Recommends
…selecting a single book to take to a deserted island
“You're on a deserted island. What's one book you are definitely taking with? Okay. I would say probably Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. It's my favorite book. I've read it probably seven times. I have it all highlighted.”
Mick Unplugged — Building Mindset Muscle with Elan Gelfandat 26:28 
Christof Koch👍 Recommends
…ancient roman philosophy on mindfulness and emotional control
“Marcus Aurelius' Confessions. 2000 years ago, was written probably for himself, not for posterity, the emperor, you know, second century emperor. One of the particular times of crisis, you know, teaches you about mindfulness in a very different, in this Roman context and about being, you know, the only thing you can control is how you respond to events.”
Huberman Lab — How to Expand Your Consciousness | Dr. Christof Kochat 2:03:41- EG
Eric Glyman👍 Recommends
…discussing books that influenced emotional regulation and stoic philosophy
“You read different books too. I mean, it's now a little more, more trite, but like, it was funny. I like Ryan Holiday stuff when he wrote kind of trust me, I'm lying. But then you got very into stoic kind of philosophy to read like meditations and stuff like that.”
My First Million — I built a billion dollar company in 18 monthsat 46:05 
Shankar Vedantam👍 Recommends
…discovering stoic philosophy through marcus aurelius during a life crisis
“During this time of upheaval in your life, you found consolation and guidance in an unexpected source. It was a book you had encountered many years earlier in college. But rereading it this time, you felt like it was speaking directly to you. What was this book, Massimo? The book was The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, which is a Stoic book.”
Hidden Brain — You 2.0: The Wisdom of Stoicismat 05:53
Listener reviews
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