Of timeless classical significance is the reflection on right action and the good life, which the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) recorded in his nearly two-thousand-year-old writings, the "Meditations." They document the ruler's constant self-reminders, his efforts to live responsibly and with an awareness of the human condition, and his distrust of himself regarding whether he lives up to his own principles. These principles are rooted in the tradition of ancient philosophy, yet they are unconditionally accessible as they address the fundamental questions of human existence. They speak a language of inquiry undertaken without speculative ambition or personal desire for fame. This quest has been valued for centuries as a testament to wisdom and a guide for a good life.