The world could use a few more stoics
595118
Marcus Aurelius was the last of a group of "good" Roman Emperors.  His profile was raised most recently in the "Gladiator" film, where appears as a benevolent leader of an increasingly corrupt empire.  If his thoughts as outlined in this document are any indication, then the movie portrayal Marcus Aurelius is not far from the truth.  These thoughts appear piecemeal as epiphanies written by the Emperor between 170-180 AD.  Aurelius considered himself a philosopher, which was the equivalent of a dedicated scientist in his day.  He believed in a life of humble service and dedication to improving the world around him.  His view of world included the need to better understand and forgive others for their shortcomings.  It is a window into the Romans view of how to ideally conduct themselves in public and private life that is incredibly fascinating.

The content and tone of these writings belies the fact that Marcus Aurelius governed an area that reached from Britain to Egypt (most of modern Europe and the Middle East).  "Alone of the emperors," wrote the historian Herodian, "he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life." (From Wikipedia).  There is a tone and tenor to his writings that aligns well the Christian doctrines that will soon transform Europe.  "If any man has done wrong, then the harm is his own" (location 1403-7, Kindle Edition).

So much of the modern western world owes its foundation to the Roman Republic and Empire.  If you wish to better understand the decline and fall of modern republics (and empires), then all roads still lead to Rome as the model for the demise of democratic governments.  The distance of nearly 2000 years melts away and you might find yourself wishing for an opportunity to meet the man who many consider the greatest Roman Emperor.
3535996
The woes and troubles faced by the youth around the world mainly arise out of neglect of the spiritual development and growth. The world has become highly materialistic and consumerist, fashioned to feed the soul with vanity. The result accounts for high suicide rates around the world. This is a great time for a practical easy to read book like "what I wish I knew before my 20th birthday". A much needed book of wisdom aiming to build a balanced, well rounded being. Get copies for friends if you love them enough.
4206569
What we need more of today.  We will all learn a bit more who we should all be.  Easy read.
3286402
If we all lived by these ethics,what a wonderful world.
375264
Life is better with Seneca. Epictetus and Cicero were pretty awesome too. Marcus Aurelius is another. Generally the stoics got a lot about the good life right.
2716776
Pretty good for a quick read. The values presented in this book are pretty traditional from the Stoic school of philosophy, if they interest you I would recommend "A Guide to the Good Life' this book was far more inspiring for me anyways. Overall an enjoyable read, though not life changing (for me anyways)
4124035
A great little book on meditations for "a better world".
2038098
While many in our world have come to the quiet conclusion that the West is in permanent decline, Dr. Beecroft shows us so many views that are to the contrary. The task is overwhelming as he presents so many diverse perspectives from leading thinkers of our time in this series of books. While the current paradigm on Western Civilization seems to be stuck in the guilt phase of post colonialism and political correctness, Dr. Beecroft explores a next frontier for human existence.

These are values and ideas that are ahead of their time. The stories call on the readers to expand their horizons of understanding. The future of Western civilization can no longer rely on industrial age values that are stuck in antiquated schools of thought. Nor can it rely on post-modern values that place egalitarianism and political correctness as their highest virtues.  Dr. Beecroft approaches the debate with many of his guests from what I consider the values of the post-post-modern age. This is what next for humanity; the values that are driven by the Magnificence of Existence ethic on a planet in peril. Buy the book. Listen to the interviews and join the conversation on the what the future might hold.
458304
I kept reading this book anticipating some deep insight there was always some almost moments but it never fully hit the gut where it all really matters. The author did what he could to bring the essential of Stoicism (did you know they'd perform almost suicide like things on themselves. People and extremities). Today the way things are moving so fast in a way we do need people like that who can narrow down the essential of teachings and bring us the essence of things yet if the author is not skilled at truly getting to the heart of the matter you'll go on missing the wisdom and depth that would actually be helpful to you.

It is decent reading and objectivism spark my interest yet I know it is not the ultimate solution because no matter what emotions is what spring us to action and too much objectivity creates people with bad attitude and hardened egos. I would know.

It's worth a read since it's still positively nourishing yet do not get too caught up and question after all you have a mind use it.
3169038
This book has some great suggestions for those who would like to make a difference and leave this world a better place than they found it.
1789827
Not everyone can access Buddhist thinking, in part because of the association with a reputation for a lax attitude that eastern thinking labors under, particularly among workaholic Americans who have yet to crash and burn or merely burn out, in their admittedly important if at times morally grey quests for world impact.  So a book that can grab a reader on a lark - maybe a lark driven but un as yet admitted acknowledgement of inner turmoil - and give that reader the gift of lithe and purposeful locomotion, of bounding freedom from care, and even high altitude flight above the world of human suffering, yet with tools to assist in the repair of that world - is a book worthy of your time and thought.
3114200
If you are a friend of religious life and want to find a path towards perhaps sustaining your own life in a pattern that mimics the vowed life then this will be a helpful read for you. This text is a rule of life written primarily for religious who are moving towards a more solitary path while still being members of a religious community. Solitary life was more the standard in Grimlaicus' times. As members of a community many of the excesses to which an isolated solitary might succumb are already eliminated. So this text is somewhat streamlined for this particular population's use. Grimlaicus is also very familiar with The Rule of St. Benedict, so much so that his own rule at times illuminates St. Benedict's rule. The readership for this text will include vowed religious and clergy generally and those special few who for a variety of reasons were not able to enter into the vowed life or who perhaps were chosen for other vocations (like marriage) but who nevertheless are seeking a deeper peace and growing stability for their lives. I suspect that as the economic horizons of the world become more and more precarious there will be those who will turn away from the security they imagine they have found in worldly possessions and turn more towards a simplicity and purity of life like the one outlined in this tenth century solitary's rule.
3824571
In a somewhat Orwellian vein, this work illustrates the use of war as a force for stability.  But in a more upbeat light, it thoughtfully explores a condition where kindness can actually arise from self interest and not from sympathy.  There is a lot to consider in this short read.
1718832
If you are one of the small, but growing, minority of people on Earth who are just now waking up to the reality that national sovereignties and individual liberal liberties have been gradually handed over to the powerful elite financial families and organizations who invented the United Nations, then this book will enhance your education. Focus on the intentions that were set in motion by such people as cult-crazed Maurice Strong to engineer a phoney Global Warming propaganda stream designed to fleece wealth from wealthier nations and funnel that money and control to a New World Government. These creatures claim that their intention is to control all wealth in the world so that they can divide prosperity equally among all peoples of Earth - yes the ultimate Communist Shangri-la. However, since the world is nowhere near total global prosperity, it is evident that the intent of these UN Elitists is to "rob from the rich and keep for themselves." Of particular note to me was the fact that the UN presents itself as a secular, humanist organization. However, in reality, their policymakers are ruled by age-old demonic religious cults whose authority is based on the idea that The Few have achieved the proper Illumination to give them the right to rule the world. [My note, but not in the book: The good news is that the New World Order is doomed to failure. Once the Anglo-American empire falls --and it will-- all human efforts at world governance will be destroyed once and for all by our Creator. (Daniel 2:44) ]
2526244
I was a bit underwhelmed by "Fragments", which is not only a slim volume to start with but also consists of the text in Greek on facing pages.  I have no doubt that Heraclitus had a revolutionary way of looking at the world 2500 or so years ago, but now it reads a bit like a watered-down cross between Marcus Aurelius  and Ecclesiastes.  Of course, this may well be a result of the translation (which has received plenty of criticism from reviewers who appear better informed than me) - I raised my eyebrows when the foreword described this as a "deconstruction", and raised them again when I noted that "character is fate" had become the decidedly less forceful "one's bearing shapes one's fate".

Five stars if you really want to brush up on your Ancient Greek, and four stars if you have been waiting for the postmodernist interpretation of Heraclitus (I guess someone out there has been).  For the rest of us, three stars. There is still some thought-provoking stuff in here, but if you are looking for an introduction to Stoic thought you are much better off with&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Meditations-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140449337/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Meditations (Penguin Classics)</a>.
392348
I think that world needs more stories that manage to combine emotions and engagement within a 10-minute read.
3839882
It is another wonderful book written by Amy Chua.  The central thesis of the book is that a country has to be tolerant in order to reach global dominance.  However, tolerance is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for becoming a dominant empire.  The other conditions could include geography, large population, natural resources, leadership, etc.

I completely agree with the fact that in order to be dominant a country has to be tolerant.  What separates a dominant country from others is its access to top talent in technology, science, military, trade, business, and other areas of human activities.  Historically, none of the dominant countries had a monopoly on the top human capital.  In order to become dominant, societies had to attract and motivate the world's best and brightest people.  These people would contribute to their societies to the maximum of their abilities only if they felt that the societies valued them despite the fact that these people had customs and traditions different from those of the core ethnic groups.

Fear was another alternative for motivating people.  But as history demonstrated time and again, it could motivate people only for relatively short periods of time.  As soon as people had a chance to escape from this "motivator" they would do it by seceding from the empires, by defecting from them, or simply by intentionally failing to reach their full potential in order not to attract attention of the authorities.

Tolerance is important not only for building dominant empires but also for building great companies, sports teams, and other organizations.  Just take a look at some of the "dominant" teams in soccer, the most popular global sport.  In addition to players representing host countries, the best teams include players from all continents but Antarctica.  For example, AC Milan, Manchester United and Barcelona were recent winners of the UEFA (European) Champions League, one of the most prestigious competitions in the soccer world.  These teams had 8, 12 and 8 foreign players, respectively, among 18 players selected for the final games.  These players would not have joined the teams unless they felt that they would be accepted there.

The same is true for the business world.  Most globally "dominant" companies often have at least several foreign managers, who have skills complementary to those of managers from the host countries.  For example, Intel Corporation, a dominant producer of microprocessors, has senior managers who came not only from the United States, but also from India, Israel and the United Kingdom.