What do you think?
Rate this book
Selected Essays and Dialogues
This new translation of Plutarch's miscellaneous works, the Moralia , illuminates his thinking on religious, ethical, social, and political issues. Two genres are the dialogue, which Plutarch wrote in a tradition nearer to Cicero than to Plato, and the informal treatise or essay,
in which his personality is most clearly displayed. His diffuse and individual style conveys a character of great charm and authority. This edition includes an introduction, notes, sources of quotations, and a glossary of proper names.
in which his personality is most clearly displayed. His diffuse and individual style conveys a character of great charm and authority. This edition includes an introduction, notes, sources of quotations, and a glossary of proper names.
460 pages, Paperback
Published August 12, 1993
15 people want to read
About the author
Plutarch
4,291 books933 followersPlutarch (later named, upon becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus; AD 46–AD 120) was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. He is classified as a Middle Platonist. Plutarch's surviving works were written in Greek, but intended for both Greek and Roman readers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 28, 2024
EXCERPTS FROM PLUTARCH'S "MORALIA”
Plutarch (46-120 CE) was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Platonist. This is a selection of his "Moralia," which are various topical writings; there are 78 that Plutarch wrote, and seventeen are included here, on topics such as Superstition; Socrates; Talkativeness; Against Borrowing Money; Eroticus; Virtues in Women, etc.
He observes, "So the atheist is insensitive to, and incredulous of, divine help, while the superstitious react to that help with fear and confusion. In short, atheism is a failure to respond to the divine or to form a conception of its goodness, while superstition is an excessive response which views good as evil." (Pg. 6) He adds, "Not that the atheist is in any way responsible for superstition. On the contrary, superstition both gave rise to atheism in the first instance, and has subsequently provided it with a defense---an untrue and ignoble one, indeed, but not without plausibility." (Pg. 11)
He suggests, "Fortune's movements, on the other hand, are quick, her thoughts bold, her expectations proud." (Pg. 127) He comments, "A man who deals with his own associates on these principles will win others to serve him; once private enmities are removed, public rivalries cost little, and bring no unpleasant or irremediable consequences." (Pg. 182) He asserts, "This is why the curious man enjoys no confidence. We entrust letters, documents, and seals to servants and strangers rather than to friends and close connections who are of this character." (Pg. 200)
He wrote, "Love induces a sort of effervesence and turbulence at first, as when two liquids are mixed, but it settles down and clears and produces a perfectly stable result." (Pg. 281)
All of Plutarch's writings are an essential part of any library of ancient history
Plutarch (46-120 CE) was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Platonist. This is a selection of his "Moralia," which are various topical writings; there are 78 that Plutarch wrote, and seventeen are included here, on topics such as Superstition; Socrates; Talkativeness; Against Borrowing Money; Eroticus; Virtues in Women, etc.
He observes, "So the atheist is insensitive to, and incredulous of, divine help, while the superstitious react to that help with fear and confusion. In short, atheism is a failure to respond to the divine or to form a conception of its goodness, while superstition is an excessive response which views good as evil." (Pg. 6) He adds, "Not that the atheist is in any way responsible for superstition. On the contrary, superstition both gave rise to atheism in the first instance, and has subsequently provided it with a defense---an untrue and ignoble one, indeed, but not without plausibility." (Pg. 11)
He suggests, "Fortune's movements, on the other hand, are quick, her thoughts bold, her expectations proud." (Pg. 127) He comments, "A man who deals with his own associates on these principles will win others to serve him; once private enmities are removed, public rivalries cost little, and bring no unpleasant or irremediable consequences." (Pg. 182) He asserts, "This is why the curious man enjoys no confidence. We entrust letters, documents, and seals to servants and strangers rather than to friends and close connections who are of this character." (Pg. 200)
He wrote, "Love induces a sort of effervesence and turbulence at first, as when two liquids are mixed, but it settles down and clears and produces a perfectly stable result." (Pg. 281)
All of Plutarch's writings are an essential part of any library of ancient history
Displaying 1 of 1 review