Tagged: Analects

Analects of the Core: Homer on mortals blaming gods

October 8, 2010 at 3:56 pm

In coordination with Professor Scully‘s introduction of the culture of ancient Greece — a domain where the students of CC101 will discover the foundations of Western thought — the Core blog today is featuring an analect that reminds us not to blame those in power for the struggles we encounter as we progress on our […]

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Analects of the Core: Sophocles on pondering the enemy’s lot

October 4, 2010 at 4:07 pm

As autumn descends upon us, we consider an analect for today which reflects our longing for the diminishing sun—and how we should consider our lives in the grand scheme, not necessarily just on our proximity to warmth: I know no one. But nevertheless I pity the poor wretch even though he is my enemy, because […]

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Analects of the Core: Machiavelli on being feared

September 30, 2010 at 2:35 pm

It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. – Niccolo Machiavelli, in Chapter XVII of The Prince. NB: A pundit writing at Politics Daily criticized President Obama by pointing out his failure to adhere to Machiavelli’s advice in being feared and loved. Conclusion: what Machiavelli wrote 500 years ago still […]

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Analect of the Core #11

September 22, 2010 at 1:15 pm

The secret thoughts of a man run over all things, holy, profane, clean, obscene, grave, and light, without shame or blame. — Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan. “Few historians know of the heartwarming friendship between French Reformation theologian John Calvin and English political philosopher Thomas Hobbes, the latter of whom may or may not have been real, […]

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Analects of the Core: Confucius on thought and learning

September 15, 2010 at 12:17 pm

He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger. -Confucius, Lunyu (“Analects”) 2.15

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Analects of the Core: Lao-Tzu on contention

September 14, 2010 at 5:01 pm

Since the Sage does not contend No one can contend with the Sage. -philosopher Lao-Tzu, in the Tao Te Ching.

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Analects of the Core: Voltaire on loving the burden of life

September 10, 2010 at 11:08 am

illustration from a 1918 edition Je voulus cent fois me tuer, mais j’aimais encore la vie. Cette faiblesse ridicule est peut-être un de nos penchants les plus funestes; car y a-t-il rien de plus sot que de vouloir porter continuellement un fardeau qu’on veut toujours jeter par terre […] I have wanted to kill myself […]

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Analects of the Core: Milton on wand’ring steps

September 9, 2010 at 4:54 pm

The world was all before them, where to choose their place of rest, and Providence their guide: They hand in hand with wand’ring steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way. – lines 646-9, from Paradise Lost, by John Milton (Signet Books, 2010)

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Analects of the Core: Goethe on thoughtful writing

September 8, 2010 at 4:21 pm

Bedenke wohl die erste Zeile, Daß deine Feder sich nicht übereile! Before you write this first phrase, think again; Good sense eludes the overhasty pen. –the scholar Faust, in Faust: Part One, by J. W. von Goethe, translated by David Luke (Oxford University Press, 1998)

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