Essays

by Plutarch (Author); Waterfield, Robin H. (Translator); Kidd, Ian (Editor)

• ISBN13: 9780140445640
• ISBN10: 0140445641
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-04-01
• Publisher: Penguin Classics

Summary

One of the greatest essayists of the Graeco-Roman world, Plutarch (c. AD 46 -120) used an encyclopedic knowledge of the Roman Empire to produce a compelling and individual voice. In this superb selection from his writings, he offers personal insights into moral subjects that include the virtue of listening, the danger of flattery and the avoidance of anger, alongside more speculative essays on themes as diverse as God's slowness to punish man, the use of reason by supposedly 'irrational' animals and the death of his own daughter. Brilliantly informed, these essays offer a treasure-trove of ancient wisdom, myth and philosophy, and a powerful insight into a deeply intelligent man.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements	vii
Abbreviations	ix
Introduction	1	(18)
On Listening
Introduction	19	(8)
Essay	27	(24)
How To Distinguish a Flatterer from a Friend
Introduction	51	(10)
Essay	61	(52)
On Being Aware of Moral Progress
Introduction	113	(9)
Essay	122	(25)
Whether Military or Intellectual Exploits Have Brought Athens More Fame
Introduction	147	(7)
Essay	154	(14)
On The Avoidance of Anger
Introduction	168	(8)
Essay	176	(26)
On Contentment
Introduction	202	(9)
Essay	211	(28)
On God's Slowness to Punish
Introduction	239	(11)
Essay	250	(44)
On Socrates' Personal Deity
Introduction	294	(14)
Essay	308	(51)
In Consolation to his Wife
Introduction	359	(6)
Essay	365	(10)
On The Use of Reason by `Irrational' Animals
Introduction	375	(8)
Essay	383	(17)
Bibliography	400	(2)
Textual Appendix	402	(5)
Descriptive Index of Proper Names	407