Thomas L. Pangle > Quotes

“The fundamental question of classical political philosophy is whether there are some conventions (nomoi) which are natural, i.e., whose force is not due simply to arbitrary human invention.”
― Thomas L. Pangle

“The thinkers and works of the past are studied here not as dated museum pieces or objects of antiquarian curiosity; they are confronted as powerful voices that challenge us to join in searching debates. The point is not to learn about these thinkers and texts, but from them.”
― Thomas L. Pangle, The Key Texts of Political Philosophy: An Introduction

“Just as Marx is not simply a materialist, insofar as he is a historical materialist, so Nietzsche is not simply an atheist, insofar as he is a historical atheist: Zarathustra is 'the most pious of all those, who do not believe in God'.”
― Thomas L. Pangle

“There is in fact no Greek equivalent to our barren term 'sex.' This English word in its present usage emerged only in the nineteenth century, out of clinical discourse. Greeks spoke of what we now call 'sex' by referring to gods — Eros and Aphrodite.”
― Thomas L. Pangle

“There is no simple harmony between what is good for social or personal stability, for civic commitment and attachment, and what is good for genuine freedom of the mind.”
― Thomas L. Pangle, The Key Texts of Political Philosophy: An Introduction

“There is in fact no Greek equivalent to our barren term 'sex.' This English word in its present usage emerged only in the nineteenth century, out of clinical discourse. Greeks spoke of what we now call 'sex' by referring to gods - Eros and Aphrodite.”
― Thomas L. Pangle