/lit/ - Literature

Do you guys have general suggestions for picking translated works, especially for ancient texts where the language is dead or has drifted significantly?

I've decided to work my way through the western canon of philosophy and this is a worthwhile thing to consider imo, because it will be a constantly occurring issue for the next several years worth of reading I have planned.

I believe that finding proper translations of works is important and that it is not a minor consequence. The meaning of an insight or idea can be entirely lost upon a poorly translated edition, beyond that, lazy/wrong translations can cause bothersome errors that render inconsistencies which did not originate from the text itself.

/lit/, are there any pieces of literature/books that focus on the history of the Roman Empire during prosperous reigns, such as during the reigns of Augustus or Marcus Aurelius?
I'm very interested in reading books based on their reigns and/or a book written by a successful emperor

I have recently become aware that my world view is excessively Eurocentric. What are some of the best works / authors on east Asian history that don't completely focus on the last two centuries?

>>6912483
By being more like Marcus Aurelius
>not trying to always keep the Meditations in mind
>not trying to always stay watchful of your thoughts and actions
>"About what am I now employing my own soul? On every occasion I must ask myself this question, and inquire, what have I now in this part of me which they call the ruling principle? And whose soul have I now? That of a child, or of a young man, or of a feeble woman, or of a tyrant, or of a domestic animal, or of a wild beast?"
>"When thou hast been compelled by circumstances to be disturbed in a manner, quickly return to thyself and do not continue out of tune longer than the compulsion lasts; for thou wilt have more mastery over the harmony by continually recurring to it."

As for being drunk, don't get so drunk you can't control yourself. Never overindulge.