--- product_id: 75903143 title: "Meditations: A New Translation" price: "€ 26.39" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.be/products/75903143-meditations-a-new-translation store_origin: BE region: Belgium --- # Modern Library edition - top-tier translation Contemporary, clear language for modern minds Timeless wisdom since AD 161 Meditations: A New Translation **Price:** € 26.39 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock ancient wisdom with a modern twist — your mind’s new best friend! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Meditations: A New Translation - **How much does it cost?** € 26.39 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.be](https://www.desertcart.be/products/75903143-meditations-a-new-translation) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Compact & Thought-Provoking:** Perfectly sized for your daily commute or coffee break, turning moments into mindful reflections. - • **Masterpiece of Stoic Philosophy:** Dive into the personal reflections of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a timeless guide to resilience and mindfulness. - • **Cultivate Mental Strength & Clarity:** Harness stoic principles to master your mind and navigate life’s challenges with calm confidence. - • **Enduring Bestseller with Social Proof:** Join over 18,000 readers who rated this edition 4.4 stars, making it a must-have for intellectual growth. - • **Modern Library’s Definitive Translation:** Experience Gregory Hays’ fluid, accessible language that brings ancient wisdom to life for today’s reader. ## Overview Meditations: A New Translation by Gregory Hays, published by Modern Library, offers the most readable and contemporary version of Marcus Aurelius’ timeless stoic reflections. This edition, highly rated by over 18,000 readers, distills ancient philosophy into accessible language, making it essential for anyone seeking mental clarity, resilience, and personal growth. ## Description “To me, this is the greatest book ever written. . . . It is the definitive text on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, self-actualization, and strength. . . . If you’re going to read it, you absolutely have to go with the Gregory Hays translation.”—Ryan Holiday, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obstacle Is the Way “It is unbelievable to see how the emperor’s words have stood the test of time. . . . Read a page or two anytime you feel like the world is too much.”—Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Wall Street Journal Nearly two thousand years after it was written, Meditations remains profoundly relevant for anyone seeking to lead a meaningful life. Your ability to control your thoughts—treat it with respect. It’s all that protects your mind from false perceptions—false to your nature, and that of all rational beings. A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With bite-size insights and advice on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others, Meditations has become required reading not only for statesmen and philosophers alike, but also for generations of readers who responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style. In Gregory Hays’s translation—the first in nearly four decades—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before have Marcus’s insights been so directly and powerfully presented. With an Introduction that outlines Marcus’s life and career, the essentials of Stoic doctrine, the style and construction of the Meditations, and the work’s ongoing influence, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era. Review: About Various Translations of "Meditations" - "What am I doing with my soul?" This collection of sublime thoughts compiled as a book (originally titled as "Eis Heauton", meaning: "To Himself"; original language was Greek) has never gone out of print since circa AD 161. The writer, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was a Roman emperor and the most renowned stoic philosopher of antiquity. My review though is not about the book itself but about the various available translations of the book. There are three noted translations which are most readily available in market: 1. A. S. L. Farquharson's Everyman's Library hardcover edition. 2. Martin Hammond's Penguin Classics edition. 3. Gregory Hays' Modern Library edition. The first one is the most revered edition published in 1944. Though the physical appearance of this edition is the most eye-catching with an elegantly produced hardcover binding and handsome printing, the translation seems dated and old-fashioned. If you want to exhibit your book collection in front of people, you may buy this edition. Though for reading pleasure and better understanding of the philosophy, I'll not recommend it. The second edition by Penguin (2006) is better than the Farquharson's as far as readability is concerned, but avoid this one too. This translation is more inclined to the exactness of the original text than the readability or understandability of the writing. As it seems, this is the bestselling edition of "Meditations" as far as the desertcart's Indian website is concerned. Thanks to the Penguin Classics tag attached to it, perhaps. No matter what, this is NOT the best edition in comparison. The last edition which is by Hays (2002), in my opinion (and as per the general consensus as well), is the best edition available. This is the most comprehensible translation of "Meditations" for the modern readers. The language is fluid and contemporary. If you want to study the thoughts of Aurelius more profoundly then get this Gregory Hays edition, paperback published by Modern Library (snapshots attached). Review: Great translation. Read critically though. - A very good, easy to read, and modern translation. Meditations consists of various chapters. Within each chapter there are short(ish) aphorisms. A good way to read Meditations is to first read the Introduction and Preface to get the general idea and to familiarize yourself with the terminology and concepts. Then read each chapter. There is no need to understand each and every aphorism (it is not possible either). There is a lot of repetition of ideas as you would expect, and things get clear as you go along. And as you read, reflect on it, and summarize it in your own words. And most importantly of course, put these ideas to use :-) Also, read critically. Some ideas are very debatable. Stoic philosophy posits that our "nature" endows us with various powers (courage, fortitude, etc.) and that we are free to use and exercise these powers. Easier said than done. Paper quality is very poor. I will call/email the publisher and complain - I hope that you do too ! PS: There is a lot of talk on reading multiple translations to understand the book. IMO there's no need unless you are doing research on the topic. One book studied deeply will suffice for most people. ## Features - Modern Library, A nice option for a Book Lover - Great one for reading - It's a great choice for a book person ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #7,232 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #103 in Spirituality (Books) #138 in Family & Relationships #210 in New Age & Spirituality | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 18,307 Reviews | ## Images ![Meditations: A New Translation - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71wSz6VVk6L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ About Various Translations of "Meditations" *by A***N on 5 June 2019* "What am I doing with my soul?" This collection of sublime thoughts compiled as a book (originally titled as "Eis Heauton", meaning: "To Himself"; original language was Greek) has never gone out of print since circa AD 161. The writer, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, was a Roman emperor and the most renowned stoic philosopher of antiquity. My review though is not about the book itself but about the various available translations of the book. There are three noted translations which are most readily available in market: 1. A. S. L. Farquharson's Everyman's Library hardcover edition. 2. Martin Hammond's Penguin Classics edition. 3. Gregory Hays' Modern Library edition. The first one is the most revered edition published in 1944. Though the physical appearance of this edition is the most eye-catching with an elegantly produced hardcover binding and handsome printing, the translation seems dated and old-fashioned. If you want to exhibit your book collection in front of people, you may buy this edition. Though for reading pleasure and better understanding of the philosophy, I'll not recommend it. The second edition by Penguin (2006) is better than the Farquharson's as far as readability is concerned, but avoid this one too. This translation is more inclined to the exactness of the original text than the readability or understandability of the writing. As it seems, this is the bestselling edition of "Meditations" as far as the Amazon's Indian website is concerned. Thanks to the Penguin Classics tag attached to it, perhaps. No matter what, this is NOT the best edition in comparison. The last edition which is by Hays (2002), in my opinion (and as per the general consensus as well), is the best edition available. This is the most comprehensible translation of "Meditations" for the modern readers. The language is fluid and contemporary. If you want to study the thoughts of Aurelius more profoundly then get this Gregory Hays edition, paperback published by Modern Library (snapshots attached). ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great translation. Read critically though. *by A***R on 5 September 2021* A very good, easy to read, and modern translation. Meditations consists of various chapters. Within each chapter there are short(ish) aphorisms. A good way to read Meditations is to first read the Introduction and Preface to get the general idea and to familiarize yourself with the terminology and concepts. Then read each chapter. There is no need to understand each and every aphorism (it is not possible either). There is a lot of repetition of ideas as you would expect, and things get clear as you go along. And as you read, reflect on it, and summarize it in your own words. And most importantly of course, put these ideas to use :-) Also, read critically. Some ideas are very debatable. Stoic philosophy posits that our "nature" endows us with various powers (courage, fortitude, etc.) and that we are free to use and exercise these powers. Easier said than done. Paper quality is very poor. I will call/email the publisher and complain - I hope that you do too ! PS: There is a lot of talk on reading multiple translations to understand the book. IMO there's no need unless you are doing research on the topic. One book studied deeply will suffice for most people. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tough book *by V***H on 27 February 2026* Hard to understand. MAY be I was not in moode to read ## Frequently Bought Together - Meditations - The 48 Laws of Power --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.be/products/75903143-meditations-a-new-translation](https://www.desertcart.be/products/75903143-meditations-a-new-translation) --- *Product available on Desertcart Belgium* *Store origin: BE* *Last updated: 2026-05-28*