Lia’s Reviews > The Shorter Writings > Status Update

[p.29] Simonides seems to show not merely how to improve tyrannical life, but that it is through well-run tyranny—through the intelligent use of absolute power to promote the happiness of one’s city—that a man can obtain the love of his citizens and the admiration of all human beings; this beneficent ruler, it seems, will reach the peak of virtue and human happiness (11.7–15).

Sigh, rhetorics.

The virtue of a knife is to be sharp and cut well; the virtue of a horse is to run fast; the virtue of a philosopher is to contemplate ...

what is the virtue of a tyrant? To fleece people efficiently and get away with it?

...banquets permitted him almost to forget “every difficulty there might be in human life” ... a significant aspect of his enjoyment of friendship is the pleasant forgetting it permits.

What would an existentialist would say to that? Turns out not being able to lose yourself in the crowd, and be constantly aware you own (“Augenblick”) the responsibility to your Being and your world is such a burden.

Vocab!

emulous (ĕmˈyə-ləs)►
adj. Eager or ambitious to equal or surpass another.
adj. Characterized or prompted by a spirit of rivalry.
adj. Obsolete Covetous of power or honor; envious.