Essays (Penguin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: Best selection of Plutarch's essays currently available
Review: I'm giving Plutarch 5 stars, though I would probably only give the book 4. The problem is that this is the only selection of Plutarch's moral essays currently in print, that is also affordable. There are, of course, the complete Moralia (essays) in Loeb Classic editions, but these are more expensive and often hard to get. Also not all of Plutarch's essays are of equal interest. Some are historical, some are speculative, some are mere annecdotes, some are ethical writings (which, to my mind, are the most interesting and timeless). Unfortunately, this compilation by Penguin is rather sparse. It includes a couple of essays that aren't very good, for ex. one on animal intelligence, while failing to include such gems as "On Garrulousness," "On Being a Busybody," "On Envy and Hate,", etc. There's too much padding on the part of the editor, Ian Kidd (a frequent flaw of modern Penguin editions). I would have preferred more Plutarch! Still, this is the best short compilation around, and think it well worth the price.

Rating:
Summary: "The Greatest Moralist of the Greco-Roman World"
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: "The Greatest Moralist of the Greco-Roman World"
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Kidd on insight...Plutarch on details...
Review: 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. In the history of civilization, prophets,
reformers, and "messiahs" have come and gone -- some
have had humanizing effects on their listeners, some
have had de-humanizing effects on their listeners,
and some have had their words and ideas twisted to
suit some new self-justification of the moment. The
world and nature go on -- men come and go -- are born
and die -- "buy into" the world, its programs, its
"values," its delusions -- or do not.
Kidd's own insights about Plutarch, the history
of his influence down through the ages, and about the
nature of these essays is what I find valuable in this
work. Plutarch gives richness in his use of examples
of incidents which happened between people (provocative
people) to show the validity of what he is trying to
say. In one essay he talks of not reproving someone
in front of others -- and he tells of an instance in
which Plato spoke in reproof to Socrates about Socrates'
berating of someone else in public -- here is Plutarch's
account (from: "How to Distinguish a Flatterer From a
Friend"): "The next point to note is that care must be
taken about using candour towards a friend when there
are a lot of people around -- one should bear in mind
what happened to Plato. Once Socrates laid into one of
his associates rather forcefully while talking near the
banking stalls. Plato said, 'Wouldn't it have been
better to have said that in private?' Socrates replied,
'Wouldn't it have been better for YOU to have spoken to
me like that in private?'"
Plutarch is also surpising and richly rewarding from
the examples he gives in citing the more ancient
philosopher Pythagoras and incidents from his life and
teaching to illustrate his admonitions.
Whether the reader "profits" from Plutarch's examples
and admonitions, or not, depends upon the reader. But
there is much of interest and value here.

Rating:
Summary: Applied Morals and Eclecticism
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Applied Morals and Eclecticism
Review: 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.