Chapter 1: The Intriguing Beginning

The start of Book 2 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius presents a curious yet profoundly impactful message. For those approaching Meditations for the first time, the initial tone might seem unconventional.

In Book 1, Marcus reflects on the individuals who have influenced him, expressing gratitude for their lessons. This humble acknowledgment sets him apart from the typical Roman Emperor. However, this unique start may catch readers off guard, especially when transitioning to Book 2, where we delve deeper into Marcus's personal philosophy.

Here, we encounter a thought-provoking passage that merits careful examination. Below is the excerpt in its entirety (from the Gregory Hays translation):

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own—not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands, and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to tu