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GREAT THOUGHTS FROM GREEK AUTHORS.

PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.

On this new edition I have endeavored to bring all my previous knowledge to bear, in order that it might be rendered more in keeping with my other works. The poetical translations have been thrown aside, and in every case I have given the passage in prose.

I have taken advantage of Duport's parallelisms from the Holy Scriptures to show the wonderful resemblance that the language of Homer bears more particularly to the sentiments found in the Old Testament. In the other Greek Authors have also attempted to show the similarity between them and the Sacred Writers.

thors of Greece and Rome. It has been, therefore, an agreeable task to award to those pure and thoughtful spirits of the olden times, their due meed of praise, by trying to ascertain the exact contributions which each has made to the intellectual riches of the world.

Another peculiar feature in the present work is the numerous references to the Holy Scriptures for points of resemblance. It is impossible, indeed, to examine the heathen doctrines of religion and ethics without being struck with their wonderful likeness to those which are sometimes considIered to be peculiar to Christianity; here may be found many of the moral doctrines and sublime sayings of the Gospel, but there is always something wanting to give them life, and bring them

The volume has been nearly doubled by the addition of new passages, and extracts from many writ-home to the heart and feelings of human beings. ers have been given, which did not appear in the former edition.

WALLACE HALL, 1st May, 1873.

PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.

Noble truths have always been taught by both Eastern and Western sages; yet they want that clear and perfect ring, which they possess when they are known to issue from Divine lips. The Editor has selected much from the writings of Plato, to show how far this resemblance extends; and, no doubt, he has omitted many passages which would have borne equally strong testimony that it is not without good reason that Plato has been called the "Atticising Moses."

THE Editor is encouraged by the unexpected favor with which his former work has been received to bring forward a companion volume from It has been well observed, that nothing can be "Greek Authors," which he ventures to hope will more useful to young minds having capacity and be found equally interesting. While many new high aspirations than such selections as the Editor topics have been introduced, the reader will here has brought together from the works of great have an opportunity of tracing the original source, men. Each quotation is a separate bait, a tempfrom which the master-spirits of Rome derived tation to feel greatly, and to do greatly; and a many of their finest thoughts. So true is the ob-friend, whose delicate health has obliged him to servation of Horace

"Græcia capta ferum victorem cepit et artes Intulit agresti Latio."

retire from the busy haunts of men, very beautifully remarks that their charm for the old and infirm is scarcely less: to such "it is nothing short of delightful to have a book at hand which will To show how closely the Romans imitated their suit itself either to the exigencies or the deficienGreek masters, the Editor has introduced copious cies of the minute with an elastic power of adaptaillustrations from his former work, and has also bility which no living friend can possess." It taken advantage of Mr. Grocott's valuable volume was for those of lofty aspirations among the young, of "Index of Quotations, Ancient and Modern," and for men of cultivated minds among the old, to point out how much the English classic authors that the Editor has attempted to make a selection are indebted to the ancients for many of those from a treasure that has continued to accumulate gems that are scattered so profusely through their from the earliest times, till it now comprehends a writings. Their bold flights of imagination, and brief abstract of the wisdom of all ages.. the volumes of wisdom compressed into a phrase,

CRAUFURD TAIT RAMAGE.

are often but loans derived from the classical au- | WALLACE HALL, 1st October, 1864.

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GREAT THOUGHTS

FROM

GREEK AUTHORS.

ESCHINES.

BORN B.C. 389-DIED B.C. 314.

the latter it proceeds according to established laws. Let none of you, therefore, be ignorant, but let it be deeply engraven on the minds of all, that when he enters the tribunal to give judgment on a case where the law has been violated, he is that day giving sentence on his own liberties.

THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARACTER OF A
STATESMAN.

He who hates his own children, he who is a bad parent, cannot be a good leader of the people. He who is insensible to the duties which he owes to those who are nearest, and who ought to be dearest, to him, will never feel a higher regard for your welfare, who are strangers to him. He who acts wickedly in private life can never be expected to show himself noble in his public conduct. He who is base at home will not acquit himself with honor when sent to a foreign country in a public capacity: for it is not the man, but the place merely, that is changed.

ESCHINES, one of the most celebrated of the Athenian orators, was the son of Tromes, the slave of a schoolmaster, Elpias, and Glaucia, who gained her livelihood by playing and singing at the sacred festivals. His father succeeded to the school of Elpias, and Æschines, in his youth, was employed by his father to clean his schoolroom. When he was somewhat older he assisted his mother in her theatrical performances, being remarkable for a strong and sonorous voice; but in this he does not seem to have been successful, as on one occasion, when he was performing in the character of Œnomäus, he was hissed off the stage. We then find him entering the military service, gaining great distinction at the battle of Mantineia, B.C. 362. It was, however, as an orator that he acquired the reputation which has handed down his name to posterity. At the commencement of his political career he took an active part against Philip of Macedon, though he became convinced, ere long, that nothing but peace with Philip would avert utter ruin from his country. His opponents accused him of having been bribed by the king to support his measures; but there does not appear any reason to believe that he acted treacherously towards his country. He was the opponent of Demosthenes; and though he failed For other boasters, when they lie, try not to in his attacks, it was to him that we owe the cele-speak too particularly or plainly, from fear of bebrated speech of Demosthenes on the crown, ing disproved afterwards.

which is considered one of the finest bursts of eloquence which the world has ever produced. The three great speeches of Eschines which still remain were called by the ancients the Graces. They are distinguished by great felicity of diction, wonderful boldness and vigor of description, so that it is generally allowed that he was only second to Demosthenes.

DUTIES OF A JUDGE in a free state.

For you ought to be well aware that there are three different forms of government established in the world--monarchy, oligarchy, and democ

A DEFEAT IS not the greaTEST OF CALAMITIES.

For a defeat in war is not the greatest of all evils; but when the defeat has been inflicted by enemies who are unworthy of you, then the calamity is doubled.

CHARACTER OF BOASTERS.

INTEGRITY.

Integrity is to be preferred to eloquence.

A PRODIGAL.

For no wealth can enrich a vicious prodigal.
AMNESTY.

Amnesty, that noble word, the genuine dictate of wisdom.

A MERE CRAFTSMAN OF WORDS.

A fellow, whose tongue is his sole merit, and

racy. In the two former the government is con- without it, like a flute, all that there is of him beducted at the will of the ruling powers, while in 'sides, were good for nothing.

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BORN B.C. 525-DIED B.C. 456.

ESCHYLUS, the son of Euphorion, a native of Eleusis, in Attica, was the father of the Athenian drama. He was present at the battle of Marathon, B.C. 490, in which he was greatly distinguished along with his brothers; and in a picture representing this batt.e he was placed in the foreground, and was thus associated in the honors which were paid to Miltiades. Six years afterwards, B.C. 484, the same year in which Herodotus was born, Eschylus gained his first victory as a competitor for the prize of tragedy; and he was successful thirteen times during an interval of sixteen years. He visited the court of Hiero, king of Syracuse, who was a distinguished patron of the learned, and who had induced such men as Pindar and Simonides to reside with him. There is a power in the language, a sublimity in the imagery, with which the poet bodies forth the creations of his genius, that makes him rank among the master spirits of the world.

TIES OF KINDRED ARE STRONG.

Strong are the ties of kindred and long converse.

ALL HAVE THEIR LOT APPOINTED.

Everything has been accomplished except for the other gods to rule; for no one is free save Jove.

WAVES.

And countless dimpling of the waves of the deep.

So Milton ("Paradise Lost," iv. 165)—
"Cheered with the grateful smell, old Ocean smiles."
Lord Byron (opening of the "Giaour")-

"There mildly dimpling ocean's cheek
Reflects the tints of many a peak,
Caught by the laughing tides that lave
Those Edens of the eastern wave."

NECESSITY NOT TO BE RESISTED.

But I must endure my doom as easily as may be, knowing, as I do, that the power of necessity is irresistible.

So Shakespeare (" Richard II.," act v. sc. 1)—
"I am sworn brother, sweet,
To grim Necessity; and he and I
Will keep a league till death."

A TYRANT DISTRUSTS.

For somehow, there is this disease in tyranny, not to put confidence in friends.

So Shakespeare (" Pericles," act i. sc. 2)— "Tyrants' fears

Decrease not, but grow faster with their years."

EASY TO GIVE ADVICE TO THE AFFLICTED.

'Tis easy for any man who has his foot unentangled by sufferings both to exhort and to admonish him that is in difficulties.

AFFLICTION.

Hence in the same way does affliction, roaming to and fro, settle down on different individuals.

TRUTH.

And thou shalt know that these words are sincere, and not the false glozings of a flattering tongue.

TO KICK AGAINST THE PRICKS.

If thou takest me for thy instructor, thou wilt not kick against the pricks.

PETULANT TONGUE.

What! knowest thou not as certain, highly intelligent though thou art, that purishment is inflicted on a petulant tongue?

SOFT SPEECH TURNETH AWAY WRATH. Oc. Knowest thou not this, then, Prometheus, that words are the physicians of a distempered

mind?

Prom. True, if one soften properly the heart, and do not with rude violence exasperate the

troubled mind.

So Milton ("Samson Agonistes ")→→

Apt words have power to suage
The tumors of a troubled mind."

And Proverbs (xv. 1)-" A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger."

THE WISE.

Since it is of the highest advantage for one that is wise not to seem to be wise.

MAN IN A BARBAROUS STATE.

But as to the ills of men, hear how I made those, who were before senseless as children, intelligent and possessed of wisdom. I shall tell you, not with the view of throwing blame upon them, but to show my kindly feelings from what I gave them: who at first seeing, saw not, and hearing, heard not. But like to the baseless fabric of a dream,

for a long time they used to huddle together all | things at random: naught they knew about brickbuilt houses, sun-ward, nor the raftered roof; but, like tiny ants, they dwelt in the excavated earth, in sunless depths of caves. They had no certain sign of winter, or flower-perfumed spring, or fruitful summer; but they did everything without judgment till I instructed them to mark the rising of the stars and their setting, a harder science yet. And verily I discovered for them numbers, the most surprising of all inventions, and the union of letters, and memory, the active mother of all wisdom. I also first taught the patient steer to bear the yoke; and in order with their bodies they might assist mortals in their severest toils, I taught steeds to whirl cars obedient to the reins, to grace the pride of wealth. And no one else than I invented the canvas-winged chariots of mariners that roam over the ocean.

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GOD KNOWS NOT TO BE FALSE.

The mouth of God knows not to utter falsehood, but brings everything to pass.

So Numbers (xxiii. 19)—“ God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" And 2 Corinthians (i. 20)—"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

THE WISE.

For it is base for the wise to err.

THE LOWLY.

For it is unbecoming in inferiors to assume boldness of speech.

trouble.

VARIOUS ILLS OF MEN.

Sawest thou not the powerless weakness, like a King of the Pelasgians, various are the ills of dream, in which the blind race of men is entan-men: nowhere canst thou behold the same wing of gled? Never at any time shall the plans of mortals get the better of the harmonious system of Jove.

REWARD OF SYMPATHY.

Since to weep and lament over misfortunes, when it draws the sympathizing tear, brings no light recompense.

So Shakespeare (Poems)—

*Companionship in woe, doth woe assuage."

THE SICK.

To the sick, indeed, some gleam of hope flows from a clear knowledge beforehand of the result of their pains.

MARRY IN YOUR OWN RANK.

GOD REGARDS THE AFFLICTED.

Look up to him that beholds from on high, the protector of suffering mortals, who address their kindred in suppliant tones, but obtain not what justice demands. Therefore the wrath of Jove, guardian of the suppliant, waits on the groans of the sufferers, and is not to be appeased.

SLANDER.

But every one bears a ready evil tongue against a stranger, and to speak slander is an easy thing.

DANGERS OF BEAUTY.

But I charge you not to disgrace me, as thou art in the bloom of youth that excitest desire. It is not easy to guard the tender ripe fruit; for beasts Wise was the man, ay, wise indeed, who first and men injure it in some way, and winged insects weighed well this maxim, and with his tongue and four-footed animals. Venus proclaims their published it abroad, that to marry in one's own opening bloom. I say that rapine is their fate, class is best by far, and that a peasant should woo | however much they try to avoid it. And on the the hand neither of any that have waxed wanton fair-formed beauty of virgins every one that passes by riches, nor of such as pride themselves in high- sends forth a melting dart from his eye, overcome traced lineage. by desire.

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