Download the meditations of Marcus Aurelius: Jeremy Collier Translation Free PDF eBook









Until philosophers are kings, and the princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, and political greatness and wisdom meet in one, cities will never cease from ill — no, nor the human race, as I believe — and then only will our state have a possibility of life, and see the light of day." "The truth is, that the state in which the rulers are most reluctant to govern is best and most quietly governed, and the state in which they are most willing is the worst." Thus writes Plato in his Republic, laying down the conditions, which even to him appear impossible, under which a state may be wisely governed.









The ruler must be a philosopher as well as a king, and he must govern unwillingly because he loves philosophy better than dominion.















Book Published: 1887



Author: Marcus Aurelius



Translator: Jeremy Collier



Jeremy Collier was an English theatre critic, non-juror bishop and theologian





Download PDF Ebook Once in the history of the world, these conditions were fulfilled: in Marcus Aurelius, we find the philosopher king, the ruler who preferred the solitude of the student to th^ splendor of the palace, the soldier who loved the arts of peace better than the glory of war. It is with no small interest that we turn to the records of history to see what was the outward life led by this king; but even more willingly do we open the precious record of v his own thoughts, which reveal to us the inner life of the philosopher.

From the translator's introduction: