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Brought to you by Penguin. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Perhaps being happy is not the answer after all. In this thoughtful and brilliant new book, the internationally bestselling author of HAPPY considers the value of friction in our lives. In chapters revealing his own moments of anger and...

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor, the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and one of the most important Stoic philosophers, along with the slave Epictetus. Marcus Aurelius wrote the "Meditations" while in a military campaign; it was a series of notes written for no one but himself in his quest for self-improvement. Stoicism is the attitude allowing one to free oneself from the unnecessary suffering that arises from anxiety about events that are beyond our control; therefore, it can be of tremendous importance in one's life.

Heute gilt Leibniz als das letzte Universalgenie und als Wegbereiter der Moderne. Als Mensch und als Philosoph war er zutiefst optimistisch, aufgeben war für ihn nie eine Option. Hier lernen wir Leibniz' ganze Welt kennen. An sieben Tagen seines Lebens zwischen 1675 und 1716 sehen wir ihm über die Schulter: In Paris treffen wir ihn im Bett an, wo er morgens seine besten Gedanken entwickelt. In Hannover plaudert er am Hof mit der Kurfürstin, im Harz tüftelt er über Windmühlen. Sein größter Wurf ist die Skizze einer Maschine, die mit den Zahlen 0 und 1 rechnet – Grundlage des Digitalcodes und damit des Computers.

Alfred North Whitehead once noted: "the safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato". Plato is indeed considered the most pivotal figure in the development of philosophy, along with his teacher, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle. But his writings are often light, fresh and funny; it was Plato who invented the dialogue in philosophy, which makes a point very easy to follow and the occasion of various scenic arrangements.

"The Prince" is the most famous of Machiavelli's works; it gives very clear, precise and realistic instructions on how to gain and maintain power, fortune, and glory, sometimes at the expense of others. Written in 1513, it is one of the most feared and hated political treatises, taken to be the first work in which the effect the leader desires to achieve is taken as more important than any abstract ideal or ethical value that might prevent him from taking immoral action.

We have selected for you 100 best quotes by Cicero. Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman politician and lawyer, who served as consul in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. A great quote is very similar to a great thinking and a small poem. It can encapsulate a large web of ideas, thoughts, reflections, emotions in a few words.

Socrates is an enigmatic figure, known chiefly through the accounts of others like Plato and Aristophanes. He was one of the most brilliant intellects ever, and devised what would later be called the Socratic method, which is a way of leading one's interlocutor to see his errors and contradictions through clever questioning before leading him to the truth.

For over two millennia, Seneca’s letters have inspired countless individuals to live with purpose, courage, and clarity. In How to Read Stoicism, you’ll find a straight-to-the-point, modern translation of Seneca’s 5 best letters to Lucilius, carefully selected to give you powerful insights into time management, mental toughness, and living a meaningful life.