classics digests, reflections and reviews
Why Pythagoras Called Himself a Philosopher Pythagoras was the first who called himself a philosopher; a word which heretofore had not been an appellation but a description. When Leon the tyrant of Phlius asked him who he was, he said, “A philosopher”. He likens the entrance of men into the present life to the progression of a crowd to some public spectacle. For there men of every description assemble with different views. One […]
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The Learning and Piety of Pythagoras While still young, so eager was he for knowledge, Pythagoras left his own country and had himself initiated into all the mysteries and rites not only of Greece but also of foreign countries. He learned the Egyptian language, and also journeyed among the Chaldaeans and Magi. While in Crete he went down into the cave of Ida with Epimenides; he also entered the Egyptian […]
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As an armchair Platonist, I find Locke’s idea of toleration lacking in justice for the following reasons: The Goods of Man According to Locke, states and churches are founded on the voluntary and rational consent of people who share common interests. The common interests of the people of any state is to protect their lives and properties, and the common interests of the churchgoers is to obtain the salvation of […]
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Diogenes’ Repartees One day when Plato had invited to his house friends coming from Dionysius, Diogenes trampled upon his carpets and said, “I trample upon Plato’s vainglory.” Plato’s reply was, “How much pride you expose to view, Diogenes, by seeming not to be proud.” Others tell us that what Diogenes said was, “I trample upon the pride of Plato,” who retorted, “Yes, Diogenes, with pride of another sort.” Some one […]
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Repartees Dionysius: What was the reason that philosophers go to rich men’s houses, while rich men no longer visit philosophers? Aristippus: The one know what they need while the other do not. Aristippus enjoyed the favours of Lais, a famous courtesan. “I have Lais, not she me; and it is not abstinence from pleasures that is best, but mastery over them without ever being worsted.” To one who reproached him […]
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This Dream is Human Life That great general universal dream which not only the sleeping but also the waking dream. This dream in veriest truth is human life. In the visions of sleep, seeing we see not, hearing we hear not, tasting and touching we neither taste nor touch, speaking we speak not, but they are empty creations of the mind, which produces pictures and images of things without any basis […]
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The Politician is a Slave The politician must needs be a man of many sides and many forms. He must be a different man in peace from what he is in war. He resists the few with vigorous action, but uses persuasion in his dealings with the many. When the would-be popular orator mounts the platform, like a slave in the market, he becomes a bond-servant instead of a free […]
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