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Essays (Penguin Classics) Paperback – April 6, 1993

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Plutarch (Author), Ian Kidd (Editor), Robin H. Waterfield (Translator)
4.6 out of 5 stars 9 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Series: Penguin Classics
  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; 1st Printing edition (April 6, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140445641
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140445640
  • Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.9 x 7.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 starsSelection of philosophical writing from first century Greece
By A Customer on April 1, 1999
Format: 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.
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4.0 out of 5 stars"The Greatest Moralist of the Greco-Roman World"
By Johannes Platonicus on October 16, 2002
Format: Paperback
Plutarch (50-120 AD) 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.
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5.0 out of 5 starsApplied Morals and Eclecticism
By Chris Planer on July 18, 2002
Format: Paperback
This is a fabulous collection of essays and a good introduction into Plutarch's writing and method of reasoning. While Plutarch was a member of the academy in Athens which had been founded by Plato several centuries had passed since Plato had left the scene. Plutarch takes knowledge from wherever he can find it -- whether it be from Homer or Pindar, Plato or Democritus, the Stoics, or from his varied experiences in his family, town, or cosmopolitan relationships with Greeks or Romans. Many of the essays, especially the ones on contentment, on moral progress, and on anger have things to tell anybody that can help them in their daily life. Francis Bacon wrote a good essay on Anger as well. Compare the two if you are interested. Anyways, these essays speak to the same concerns as do his famous Lives -- how can we lead better lives and what principles and practices can help us on the way to this goal.
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4.0 out of 5 starsKidd on insight...Plutarch on details...
By A Customer on April 14, 2002
Format: Paperback
The best parts of this book, surprisingly, are Ian
Kidd's introductions -- the "Introduction" to the
work itself, and the introductions which he does before
each of the essays. There is no doubt that Plutarch is
intelligent, literate, insightful, perhaps even wise.
As a supposed adherent of Plato, however, he sometimes
seems to forget his wellspring.
The astonishing feature of reading Plutarch both in
these essays sometimes called "Moralia" (a term which
Kidd takes issue with and explains why) and
his "Parallel Lives" (of Noble Greeks and Romans) is
his use of psychology in furthering the insights about
ethical and moral behavior. In his "Lives" he often
talks of the personalities and attitudes and emotions
of the figures he is discussing (as well as the events
of their lives -- such as Coriolanus' lack of a
father and the temper he seemed to develop because of
it) to show how those things impact upon the decisions
and actions which they wind up taking. In doing so,
Plutarch makes the lives (and these essays, which
contain similar psychological examples and insights)
extremely interesting.
There is much that is sound and "right" in Plutarch's
views -- but he seems to be leading a course away from
Plato. For Plutarch seems to be intent on the idea of
reforming people IN the world, so that they might be
better IN the world -- and treat others better IN the
world. Whether that is desirable -- or possible --
is something best left to the individual reader to
decide.Read more ›
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