Author: Marcus Aurelius / Year: 121 ce-180 ce / Genre:spiritual Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, as a source
for his own guidance and self-improvement. These memos survive and continue to inspire others
to this day. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to
long paragraphs. He explicates the Stoic philosophy that the only way a man can be harmed
by others is to allow his reaction to overpower him. He shows no particular religious faith in
his writings, but seems to believe that some sort of logical, benevolent force organizes the
universe in such a way that even "bad" occurrences happen for the good of the whole.



