We’re surrounded. That simplifies things.
A commonplace book: an old-fashioned literary diary for recording interesting items from reading you've done. I use mine to record snippets from reading, conversation and life in general. (The early 2003 entries are from a period some years ago -- before the blog age -- when I tried an online commonplace book as a straight web page.)
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Monday, November 02, 2020
Friday, May 01, 2020
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Montaigne
When when I walk alone in a beautiful orchard, if my thoughts are some part of the time taken up with external occurrences, I some part of the time call them back again to my walk, to the orchard, to the sweetness of that solitude, and to myself.... Have you known how to take repose, you have done more than he who has taken empires and cities.... of all the infirmities we have, 'tis the most barbarous to despise our being.... 'Tis an absolute and, as it were, a divine perfection, for a man to know how loyally to enjoy his being. We seek other conditions, by reason we do not understand the use of our own; and go out of ourselves, because we know not how there to reside. 'Tis to much purpose to go upon stilts, for, when upon stilts, we must yet walk with our legs; and when seated upon the most elevated throne in the world, we are but seated upon our breech. The fairest lives, in my opinion, are those which regularly accommodate themselves to the common and human model without miracle, without extravagance. Old age stands a little in need of a more gentle treatment. Let us recommend that to God, the protector of health and wisdom, but let it be gay and sociable.
Montaigne, in his 54th year at the end of his magisterial Essays. He died at age 59 after suffering some years of kidney stones.
This ends submissions from my reading of the Essays over the last three years. They can be found here.
Montaigne, in his 54th year at the end of his magisterial Essays. He died at age 59 after suffering some years of kidney stones.
This ends submissions from my reading of the Essays over the last three years. They can be found here.
Monday, April 06, 2020
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
A man's worth is just the worth of that which he pursues....Be upright either by nature or by correction.
Contemplate the courses of the stars, as one should do that revolves along with them. Consider also without ceasing the changes of elements, one into another. Speculations upon such things cleanse away the filth of this earthly life.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (Book 7)
Contemplate the courses of the stars, as one should do that revolves along with them. Consider also without ceasing the changes of elements, one into another. Speculations upon such things cleanse away the filth of this earthly life.
Marcus Aurelius, Meditations (Book 7)
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
Our struggle in life requires two virtues, bravery and wisdom -- readiness to endure a danger and skillful knowledge of how to manage it.
Gorgias (the Sophist)
Gorgias (the Sophist)
Tuesday, December 03, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Do not bring down the men of the magistrates' court or incite the just
men to rebel. Do not pay too much attention to him clad in shining
garments, and have regard for him who is shabbily dressed. Do not
accept the reward of the powerful man or persecute the weal for him.
Advice from fathers to sons in Middle Kingdom Egypt as quoted by Charles Freeman in Egypt, Greece and Rome.
Advice from fathers to sons in Middle Kingdom Egypt as quoted by Charles Freeman in Egypt, Greece and Rome.
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