Marcus Aurelius, one of the great rulers of the Roman Empire, sets forth a series of self-reflective essays intended as a guide for his own self-improvement. Written during the turning points of his life and divided into twelve books, Meditations ponders life's greatest questions in the author's search for a meaningful existence. Remarkably, they are no different from the questions we ask ourselves today-from finding happiness to understanding our place in the cosmos.

Centuries after Aurelius's death, Meditations remains a profound source of inspiration for contemporary times-a collection of deeply held principles that are a wellspring for positive thinking and leading a purpose-driven life.