Essays (Penguin Classics) [Mass Market Paperback]

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

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: January 1, 1995

Born at the very heart of Greece—between Athens and Apollo's shrine at Delphi—in the mid-40s of the first century CE, Plutarch combined an intense love of his locality and family with a cosmopolitan outlook that embraced the whole Roman Empire. His encyclopaedic writings form a treasure trove of ancient wisdom, yet his strong religious feelings and deeply humanist temperament give them all a compelling and individual voice. Whether he is offering abstract speculation or practical ethics, fresh and arresting reflections on anger and flattery, military versus intellectual glory or the reasoning powers of animals, Plutarch's charm and personality constantly shine through. Above all, concludes Kidd, his essays remain magnificently readable, works that 'can still entertain, instruct, stimulate and educate us and also introduce us to one of the most attractive characters in classical literature'.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

About the Author

Plutarch (c.50-c.120 AD) was a writer and thinker born into a wealthy, established family of Chaeronea in central Greece. He received the best possible education in rhetoric and philosophy, and traveled to Asia Minor and Egypt. Later, a series of visits to Rome and Italy contributed to his fame, which was given official recognition by the emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Plutarch rendered conscientious service to his province and city (where he continued to live), as well as holding a priesthood at nearby Delphi. His voluminous surviving writings are broadly divided into the ‘moral’ works and the Parallel Lives of outstanding Greek and Roman leaders. The former (Moralia) are a mixture of rhetorical and antiquarian pieces, together with technical and moral philosophy (sometimes in dialogue form). The Lives have been influential from the Renaissance onwards.
Robin Waterfield is a graduate of Manchester University and studied Greek philosphy at King's College, Cambridge. He is currently writing a major biography of Kahlil Gibran.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (January 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140445641
• ISBN-13: 978-0140445640
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Selection of philosophical writing from first century Greece, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Essays (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book comprises a selection of essays from the body of Plutarch's work collectively referred to as Moralia. Within he expounds on various topics often relying on quotes from writings he was farmiliar with, and very often misquoting because he relied on his memory too often. Contains essays 'On Listening', 'How to Distinguish a Flatterer from a Friend', 'On Being Aware of Moral Progress', 'Whether Military or Intellectual Exploits have brought Athens more Fame', 'On the Avoidance of Anger', 'On Contentment', 'On God's Slowness to Punish', 'On Socrates' Personal Deity', 'In Consolation to His Wife', and 'On the Use of Reason by Irrational Animals' (which relies on a dialogue between Odysseus and a human-turned-pig). I found these were probably not up to Plato, but were also much more popular once than they are today. Each essay has its own introduction and numerous footnotes.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The Greatest Moralist of the Greco-Roman World", October 16, 2002

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Essays (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

Plutarch (50-120 BC?) has been called the greatest essayist of the Greco-Roman world. Perhaps this is true; but more truth may lie in the statement that he is the greatest moralizer of the Greco-Roman world. Nevertheless, his voluminous collection of essays, dealing with moral philosophy, are deeply rooted in the Platonic tradition, with occasional seasonings of the school of Aristotle. Plutarch draws from his encyclopedic knowledge of the mythological and philosophical lore of his time, along with his own personal experiences, in order to present and convey a moral through his straightforward prose and use of both Aristotelian and Platonic dialogue form. These essays, much like Cicero's dialogues, are an attempt to layout a practical code of ethics for the aspiring student or sage. Although, Plutarch differs from Cicero in the fact that nothing suggests that these essays were directed for popular use by the masses. Already, only after a hundred years or so following the Republic's collapse, learning was being pulled away from public use and was being dragged into the schoolroom to be savored only by the well to do of the Empire. Anyway, these essays make for an entertaining and edifying read. Also the editor, Ian Kidd, furnishes comprehensive introductions, which throw significant light on the text. The only drawback to this work is the absence of the greater part of Plutarch's essays; barely a third are given here. These works should not be ignored; they are constantly overshadowed by his "Parallel Lives" but renewed interest in his moral writings are bringing these essays back to the fore of classical education. They are a definite read for anyone interested in philosophy or classical literature.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Consummate and Timeless Observer, November 8, 2006

By 

Brian D. Fitzpatrick (Medford, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essays (Penguin Classics) (Mass Market Paperback)

(born AD 46, Chaeronea, Boeotia-died after 119)

His works profoundly influenced the evolution of the essay,biography,and historical writing in 16th-19th century Europe.I found this collection of 10 essays very 'readable' and Plutarch offers you a wide berth of topics to choose from. It covers many facets and variables in his observations of human behavior. The writing is stimulating and inspiring.It instructs,educates,and entertains you as well.Enjoy this greco-roman master of the essay from many moons ago. An excerpt from PLUTARCH's essay 'How to distinquish a flatterer from a friend'(penguine classics.copyright-1992-translation-Robert Waterfield)

"...The ultimate dishonesty is the false appearance of honesty,it it not overt light-hearted flattery that must be regarded as problematic,but the covert straight-faced version ,which can even corrupt true friendship if we do not watch out,because it coincides to a large extent with friendship..."