Harvard Classics, Vol 2: Plato, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius

by Charles William Eliot (Editor)

Three of Plato's dialogues, Apology, Phaedo and Crito which epitomize the Socratic question-and-answer style turned philosophy, with the inevitable conclusion of Socrates' death.

Like those of Socrates and Christ, the Golden Sayings were transcribed by the disciples of the great Stoic.

Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Stoic and Emperor, hands down the day-to-day principles on which an all-powerful Emperor ruled for the welfare of the people in his Meditations.

Genres: Philosophy, Classics, Nonfiction, History, Collections, Literature, Ancient History

477 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Charles William Eliot was an American academic who was selected as Harvard's president in 1869. He transformed the provincial college into the preeminent American research university. Eliot served the longest term as president in the university's history.

Reviews

[Mallory Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed everything apart from Marcus Aurelius' meditations. Dude needed to shut the heck up.

[Curtiss]

The first time I ever heard of Epictetus was when he was quoted to me in response to a discussion I was having about the dilema faced by the Captain of the Aegis Cruiser U.S.S. Vincennes, who according to the news reports had given the order to fire at an unidentified 'bogey' which had turned out to be an unarmed, civilian, Iranian jetliner.

A lawyer in the booth behind me then quoted Epicteus's response to having been publicly criticized: "He could not know all my faults, or he would not have mentioned merely these." The lawyer claimed he often used that particular quote to help defuse a tense courtroom situation, especially when he confronted a hostile judge and jury.

The other quote I looked up in this volume was from an episode of Perry Mason, in which Perry teased his favorite restaurant manager for having neglected to make his usual flattering compliment to Della Street about her appearance.

The manager responded, "As an IRISH philsopher once said, 'Perfect beauty has NO NEED of praise'," which Perry Mason went on to complete, saying, "...not more than law, not more than truth, nor benevolence nor modesty." Then Mason objected, "But, Marcus Aurelius was Roman, not Irish!" Whereupon the friendly manager replied with a wink, "'Tis a false lie, his real name was Marcus O'Reilly-us."

Profound philosophical truths and Gaelic self-mocking HUMOR too! ;-)

[Harold Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In these days of spewing oil, fuming volcanos, babbling talking heads, untrustworthy politicians (forgive redundancy) and a hate-filled citizenry, there's nothing quite like a bracing cold shower of Stoic philosophy to face another day. It's good to imagine that all that happens happens to fulfill a preordained purpose of a benevolent creator, that a virtuous life is all-important, and that life's evils and injustices should not sting, since there's nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so. It's good to face death with a clear eye and calm heart, remembering that all that is created is meant to perish, and that great civilizations have come and gone, leaving less behind than the legs of Ozymandias.

I purchased this volume, one of the Harvard Classics, at a library sale, decades ago, for twenty-five cents. It has a rich brown leather cover, gold embossing, and a built in silk bookmark, so it looks good on the shelf, where it has sat unmoving for many years. As a younger dinosaur I never was able to get through more than a few pages without dozing at the sometimes tedious text. I read it last month to rid myself of guilt and obligation, rather than as a labor of love or a de novo choice.

But it was well worth the read. It was inspirational to consider Plato's Socrates dealing indifferently with an unjust death, rejecting expedients that would have saved his life. The "golden" sayings of former slave Epictetus were a somewhat meandering way at looking again and again on the precepts of Stoicism, but looking at the blackbird of Stoic thought in 1013 ways was a good means of digesting and absorbing it, and if for only a few fleeting moments enjoying the tranquility that comes with acceptance.

I was originally going to decry George Long's translation of the meditations of the good Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus as
the flaw of this volume. But Long himself in a chapter about the good Emperor observes that Antoninus left behind disorganized, half-formed and self-contradictory thoughts in jottings that were not intended for publication. Long suggests that his translation was dictated by fidelity to the original material. I ain't no classics translator, so I'll accept this as an explanation for the often dense and obscure
translation. But I'll note that there seem to be modern translations
out there to make the sayings of Marcus Aurelius "accessible" (translate, intelligible). If you wanted to read these things you might therefore want to start with sources other than my edition. Of course you would have to ante up more than a quarter to do so, and you might have to pay for your own bookmark.

Philosophy is the love of wisdom. You may or may not buy into the Stoic philosophy of life. But if you love wisdom, you'll get much more of it from reading these philosophers than from any modern self-help twaddle or from most of what passes for literature.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated this one a lot as an introduction to stoicism. It's cleverly put together, taking you first through the smooth and easy-flowing dialogues by Plato concerned with the death of Socrates, which prepare you somewhat for the far more intense and stringent doctrines of Epictetus, which (I feel) are then tempered by M. Aurelius' more intimate and personal beliefs.

Since it's a compilation of others' works, and it would take a large amount of characters to even start to touch the surface of three separate philosophers' works, I'll simply talk about the editing. I think that it worked relatively well, but the structure of each section was headed by a different person, and there are elements in one section that are conspicuously absent in others (Epictetus has an index, for example, while Aurelius has a section at the end contextualising his life and discussing his philosophy in detail with reference to other philosophers). It's certainly enough for a layperson like myself to make it through, though reading becomes very slow after Plato due to the fact that the unconnected ideas demand you to contemplate them rather than flowing as a metaphor or the progression of dialogue, and most of my time was spent in the second half of the book.

[Rebecca Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I inherited a complete set of 1910 Harvard Classics decades ago from my grandmother. A few volumes actually came in handy in college and grad school, and I saved some money at the bookstore. But recently, my spouse suggested we read them all collectively; ie, he would read 25 and I would read 25. I thought it was a good idea, so we'll see how it goes. He's still working through Vol. 1 (Franklin, Woolman, Penn), while Vol. 2 has been my first true introduction to the Stoics. (I say "true" because Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is the Way is definitely THE most lightweight, cherrypicked, bullshit chunk of pseudo-philosophy I've ever read, ugh.) Anyway, I skipped Plato because I had read all of these works multiple times and Socratic dialogue drives me bananas.

Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius were great, though! The language in these is very King James Bible, so I couldn't read more than five pages at a time before my mind started to wander. But I found that I like philosophy that holds me to a higher standard—contrary to what the Internet Buddhists say, I'm pretty sure I'm not actually perfect just the way I am. Stoicism isn't particularly joyful, but it is a really good kick in the ass for handling life's challenges both large and small. So much of philosophy and religion strives to plumb the hearts of man, but here, a person's behavior is what matters most, and we all have an obligation to each other and ourselves. Also, I always find it comforting to see how little people have changed over the millennia.

[Justin Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at a library sale, it's an absolutely beautiful book. Kind of the archetype of what I imagine when I think, "book."

I had never read any of the books in here before, though most of them were books I'd been hoping to read someday. The Apology, Phaedo, and Crito were interesting. The arguments seemed primitive, but the logic was fun to follow. I had a really hard time getting through the Epictetus section. I think that was mostly because of the translation. Meditations was definitely the highlight. I had been introduced to some Stoic ideas through online friends, and I was very surprised how much the philosophy matched parts of my personality that I've had since as long as I can remember. For me, it works. Really, really well. As for the book itself, the translation was often hard to read, and the book itself can be rambling, but when it's good, it's REALLY good.

Overall, I struggled with this one, but I'm very glad I read it. I'll probably come back to parts (or a different translation), and I think it will be better and easier the next time around.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and inspiring for developing clarity about stoicism. This beautiful book sat in my mother’s basement since my adolescence at which point I attempted to digest its words. Fifty years and this time I could understand and digest the ideas. Much of the stoic philosophy feels so appealing especially the parts about simplicity and courage. Not all of it is suitable for my life, but striving for kindness, straightforward honesty and optimism are possible.

[Philip Athans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I got much out of either Plato or Epictetus, and skipped the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, which I’ve read already, and which carries the “star rating.”

The Christian translations of the pre-monotheistic sources was troubling and made even worse by their inconsistency, so Plato and Epictetus both alternately refer to God and the gods. It made both sections feel silly and contrived.

[سندس · Rating 3 out of 5]

the apology you will always be famous

-

this wasn’t my first time reading these works, but it was my first time going through them all in one place, and i liked seeing how they connected. the apology will always be a favorite of mine, epictetus’ sayings were solid, and marcus aurelius was... okay. overall, a decent collection. also, i thrifted a ridiculously beautiful edition for just a few dollars, so that’s a win.

[Jacob Rasmussen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 2 sections by Socrates and Epictetus ”Praise god, forsake earthy pleasures, THINK”. The last section by Marcus Aurelius “Chill out and don’t be a dick”, I liked this part the most.

[Peter Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb and worthy collation of Socratic and Stoic texts: the Platonic dialogues dealing with Socrates' trial, imprisonment and capital punishment are wonderful literature even though what passes for logic in them is often just madcap error. The Golden Sayings of Epictetus (the ex slave philosopher banished by Domitian to Nicopolis) compiled by Arrian; and the tortured and often obscure "Meditations" of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius are fascinating, and not part of "Great Books" canon these days. The accompanying biographical and philosophically critical notes of the translator George Long are inciteful but often wrong-headed in their repeated attempts to "save" Aurelius and Stoicism generally for the Catholic Church and its traditions. A must read and a recommended re-read for everyone. Remember that Aurelius wrote in Greek, and issues of translation are relevant throughout.

[London Storm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm already vaguely familiar with Plato's works about the life and death of Socrates and very familiar with the works of Epictetus and Aurelius, with Aurelius being basically my life's guidebook for many years now; as such, I can't recommend this volume enough. Socrates teaches us how to be honorable in life and in death, while Epictetus and Aurelius teach us to accept the troubles of life and treat ourselves more equitably in the face of the things we go through. Absolutely essential.

[Joshua Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plato provides a strong and clear grounding in the philosophical principles which are then made applicable in every day situations by Epictetus and Aurelius. Reading Epictetus, and then Aurelius, is like having your mind cleaned, swept and set neatly in order. This particular edition is very readable. Recommended highly.

[Sami Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I for sure peeled back some pages from this potent allegorical anthology, I’m glad I got my hands on this!

I was able to dissect a little more into philosophers that you so often hear about: Even with a few minor deficiencies its stoic and Socratic translations and jottings are nevertheless understood even on edge, or for the sake of the very least, digestible.

In delving into the Harvard Classics, Volume Two: Which presents a collection of pivotal philosophical texts including Plato's- specifically "Apology," "Phaedo," and "Critique," Crito, alongside the profound wisdom of Epictetus and the introspective meditations of Marcus Aurelius, one cannot help but be struck by the complexities of human existence they unravel. These works serve as a mirror reflecting our intellectual struggles, revealing the rapacity of our calculating dominance—a trait that often leads us into the depths of moral confusion when confronted with the deafening silence of our own failings. The ancient philosophers encapsulated chaos and the often hidden rites of our own petulance.

In light of the caustic conundrums born from our ancestors' mistakes, these texts not only serve as a commentary on ethical dilemmas but also challenge us to philosophize openly about our shortcomings. They engage us in a dialogue that transcends time, urging us to unravel the intricate allegories and missteps that mark our collective, albeit contentious, narratives resonate with the dissonant chimes of human experience, compelling us to confront the disparity within our souls. While the prose may sometimes teeter on the edge of obscurity, or perhaps lack of unjust clarity, it ultimately encourages profound reflection, making this volume an essential to the philosophical canon if you will, if you find oneself stumbling upon a classic to skim throughly. Though I rate it a solid four stars, I would argue that its richness lies not merely in the text itself, but in the myriad of interpretations and realizations it sparks within each reader, especially and essentially if perhaps you’re a beginner to this literature amongst yourself; It is an invitation to engage with the complexity of thought, beckoning the disquieting quietus that often envelops our modern existence.

While there are moments when the prose may obscure, thus, while some passages might prove iffy, I rate this volume four stars, for said prevalence provoked in triviality.

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not as stimulating and immediately practical as the first, the second volume of the Harvard Classics provides an enriching look at the lives and philosophy of the ancients.

Plato's works are represented first, with the sequence of The Apology of Socrates, Crito, and Phaedo forming a satisfying narrative arc of the trial, imprisonment, and death of Socrates. The dialogues struck me in their sheer perspicuity, as well as in the increasing suspense embedded into the third. While the arguments proffered by the Philosopher for the immortality of the soul can no longer withstand scrutiny, the innovative rigor with which he expounds them is a testament to the brilliance of his mind.

The verbose contributions of Epictetus, the next author, I found the dullest of the three. An early Stoic, Epictetus sketched a philosophy of human affairs with an emphasis on right action and liberating the will from the assaults of the passions. His intriguing perspectives found their most capable advocate in the third author, Marcus Aurelius.

"If thou art pained by any external thing, it is not this that disturbs thee, but thy perception of it." This maxim encapsulates many of the threads of Marcus Aurelius' philosophy: the power of the will, the supremacy of the natural order, the subjectivity of pain and pleasure, and man's ability to exemplify virtue in a seemingly futile world. Outdated metaphysical assumptions render some of his philosophy anachronistic, but much of it remains useful even in the present. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is accompanied by two essays from 19th-century translator George Long: one biographical and the other analytical.

All things considered, the third volume of the Harvard Classics provides a satisfactory introduction to the philosophy of Plato and the Stoics. Given the enormous influence exerted by the ancients on the course of Western civilization, this volume is well-placed near the beginning of the Five Foot Shelf of Books.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

After nibbling away at this volume for a couple of years, I have finally finished it. It is not an easy book to digest: partly due to content and partly due to translation. However, it is a book that is immensely valuable. It is a book that should be used over again and meditated upon and pondered. While I found Plato to be forgettable, I thoroughly enjoyed the other two. Though bounded by the wisdom of mortals and limited to the scope of knowledge in their time, both Epictetus and Marcus Aurelias remain relevant today. I have written many quotes from their thinking in my journal and perhaps someday, I will have the leisure to re-read their writings. I commend this book to any serious thinker or to anyone who wishes to learn more of the Stoics; especially from Marcus Aurelius who wrestled with the practicality and applicability of their philosophies to real life.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of these are 19th-century translations, so they can be rather stilted and annoyingly "thee-thou-thine" (especially the Epictetus), but the works themselves are generally worth the effort. Plato's Apology was excellent and invigorating, and the Crito presents a challenging argument about justice and the respect we owe to the state. The Phaedo didn't do it for me...its various conceptions of the "soul" don't hold up well as far as I'm concerned. The Epictetus was surprisingly dull, but that might be due to its grab-bag nature and lack of context surrounding many of the sayings. Meditations is of course a classic, although I much prefer the more modern translations I've read in recent years.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plato's Apology of Socrates and Phaedo stand out in this collection of classics as monumental works; and perhaps because of the strength of those two I was a bit let down by The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Nevertheless, it's hard to argue that a well-read person shouldn't be familiar with all three authors.

[The Sleepy Nightowl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains five translations from three different translators of varying quality and age. The three translations of Plato are fluid and easy to understand. It makes reading “the Apology”, “Crito”, and “Phaedo” a delight. The translation of Epictetus by a different translator is dated and grammatically it often doesn’t make much sense. The same can be said for the translation of “the Meditations”.

The five works contained in the book fit well together and form one logical framework. The edition itself is beautiful. However, there are better translations of both Epictetus and Marcus Antoninus.

[Amar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a review specifically for the Golden sayings of Epictetus; the rest I have read in their own individual books.
I thought there were some lovely parts of what Epictetus was saying, but as I am an atheist, I did not find myself too loving of the entirety of what he had to say. Regardless, I think it's a decent read; it is relatively quick to get through. I found myself thinking throughout the book that it could have a very interesting reading if it is read through the lens of Ludwig Feuerbach.

[Ixby Wuff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three of Plato's dialogues, Apology, Phaedo and Crito which epitomize the Socratic question-and-answer style turned philosophy, with the inevitable conclusion of Socrates' death. Like those of Socrates and Christ, the Golden Sayings were transcribed by the disciples of the great Stoic. Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman Stoic and Emperor, hands down the day-to-day principles on which an all-powerful Emperor ruled for the welfare of the people in his Meditations.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume chiefly addresses, among other things, man's confrontation with death. Excellent exposition of humanity's attempt to think rationally.

"Epictetus addressed himself to his hearers in a continuous discourse and in a familiar and simple manner. Antonius wrote down his reflections for his own use only, in short unconnected paragraphs, which are often obscure."
-George Long

[Ommiolgi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good collection of Stoic thoughts. The translation is slightly dated but this book gives an important perspective of the transition of Stoic philosophy from Greece to Rome.
Most useful to those tracing the development of western philosophy, the content became repetitive and boring towards the end.

[Joel Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older translation, but a marvelous read nonetheless. There is much wisdom in all 5 works as humans are still humans even after 2,0oo plus years. Appended at the end was also two interesting lectures on the life and philosophy of Aurelius.

[Shem Doupé · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apology, Crito (and I read phaedo) were really interesting. One of my takeaways was that I couldn't help but feel that there were some major parallels with the Jesus story.

Epictetus and Meditations I reviewed on their own. Stoicism is awesome.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each segment contains much for pondering and improving one's life. This is certainly worthy of one's reading time.

I am recording this long after completing my reading. I am devoid of specifics to mention, as I kept no notes.

[E Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of ancient philosophy was very interesting to me, but maybe not so much to the average reader. I'm the philosophy nerd so what can I say. Interesting, particularly the musing of Marcus Aurelius, truly an interesting man. Not for all, but great for the nerds among us

[Talbot Hook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can one ever really "finish" any of these works?

I think not. Onward and upward.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit dated of a translation of these things, but the wisdom of good men preserved for all to read and learn from.

[Adrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Thou God Thou."- Epictetus