Summary of Books 7-9

How to attain peace of the mind (Book 7)

In this book, Aurelius lays out the foundation of his philosophical belief and how to apply it to daily life. He first starts with the discussion of how throughout history, it is observable that

“there is nothing new: all things are both familiar and short-lived.”

Meditations 136

Aurelius, in this sense, is trying to link how nothing in the world has never been done, not necessarily thought before. Therefore, there are certain principles which also aren’t new, but also are unchanging. He believes that we should try to recover these principles and to live by them in order to live your life to the fullest. Aurelius then divulges into three criteria that people should follow in order to become the best person, or the best leader. These three being related to the will, action, and perception. If by following these three things, one can achieve peace of the mind, which is required in living your best life.