Alone with Oneself

Marcus Aurelius 121—180 — Roman Emperor of the “Golden Age,” rightly called the “philosopher on the throne.” He enjoyed undeniable success in late antiquity, and in the 16th century he was revived in European philosophical circles. “Alone with Oneself” —... is the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius's reflections on duty, conscience, and spirit, an evaluation of life from a philosophical and moral perspective. In his writings, the Roman Emperor calls for following Stoic teachings but also for developing them further, naming reason, rather than soul, as the leading principle in man, which must be aligned with the nature of the whole, thus achieving apathy. Centuries later, the advice of Marcus Aurelius remains relevant for the modern person, who is constantly in search of the meaning of life.