010 - How to Know a Flatterer From a Friend part 2

Dive into Morals (Moralia), Book 2, a fascinating anthology of 78 essays and speeches by the celebrated 1st-century Greek thinker, Plutarch of Chaeronea. This collection offers profound insights into the customs and ethics of both Roman and Greek societies, echoing timeless wisdom that has influenced great minds from Montaigne to the Renaissance Humanists. Key essays include On the Fortune or the Virtue of Alexander the Great, a vital companion to his biography, and On the Worship of Isis and Osiris, which sheds light on ancient Egyptian religious practices. Plutarch also critiques historian Herodotus in On the Malice of Herodotus, tackling biases in historical accounts. Alongside philosophical reflections like On the Decline of the Oracles and On Peace of Mind, youll enjoy humorous dialogues such as Odysseus and Gryllus, featuring a witty exchange between Homer’s hero and a transformed swine. While these essays were written early in his career, they lay a crucial groundwork for understanding Plutarchs later works, including discussions on timeless questions like the classic conundrum of the chicken and the egg.