Hear and take to heart this useful and wholesome motto: “Cherish some man of high character, and keep him ever before your eyes, living as if he were watching you, and ordering all your actions as if he beheld them.” Such, my dear Lucilius, is the counsel of Epicurus; he has quite properly given us … Continue reading From Seneca’s eleventh letter to Lucilius
A day in the life of Sir Walter Scott
April 1.—Ex uno die disce omnes. Rose at seven or sooner, studied, and wrote till breakfast with Anne, about a quarter before ten. Lady Scott seldom able to rise till twelve or one. Then I write or study again till one. At that hour to-day I drove to Huntly Burn, and walked home by one … Continue reading A day in the life of Sir Walter Scott
Bentham on four permissible lies
1. In some cases, departure from truth is prescribed by the moral sanction as a duty: such are all those in which mischief to another would be the certain or probable effect of verity, while from falsity no evil at all, or at least no equal evil, will, with equal probability, be the result: as, … Continue reading Bentham on four permissible lies
Meaning of Patriotism
“patriotism is a word; and one that generally comes to mean either my country, right or wrong, which is infamous, or my country is always right, which is imbecile.” (Patrick O’Brian, Master and Commander)
From the wisdom of Seneca
[W]hat is there to wonder at in bad men committing evil deeds? what novelty is there in your enemy hurting you, your friend quarrelling with you, your son going wrong, or your servant doing amiss? Fabius was wont to say that the most shameful excuse a general could make was “I did not think.” I … Continue reading From the wisdom of Seneca
W. S. Gilbert on English politicians
When in that House M.P.'s divide,If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too,They’ve got to leave that brain outside,And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to.But then the prospect of a lotOf dull M. P.’s in close proximity,All thinking for themselves, is whatNo man can face with equanimity. (W. S. Gilbert, Iolanthe)
Daniel Defoe on English politicians
Fools out of Favour grudge at Knaves in Place,And men are always honest in Disgrace:The Court-Preferments make men Knaves in course:But they which wou'd be in them wou'd be worse.'Tis not at Foreigners that we repine,Wou'd Foreigners their Perquisites resign:The Grand Contention's plainly to be seen,To get some men put out, and some put in.For … Continue reading Daniel Defoe on English politicians
Swift’s advice to poets
if the Muses must inspireYour fancy with their pleasing fire,Take subjects safer for your witThan those on which you lately writ.Commend the times, your thoughts correct,And follow the prevailing sect — Dialogue Between an Eminent Lawyer and Dr Swift
From John Masefield’s Salt-Water Ballads
Oh I am tired of brick and stone, the heart of me is sick,For windy green, unquiet sea, the realm of Moby Dick;And I’ll be going, going, from the roaring of the wheels,For a wind’s in the heart of me, a fire’s in my heels. — A Wanderer's Song
Jeremy Bentham on colonies
Other reasons against distant dominions may be found in a consideration of the good of the government. Distant mischiefs make little impression on those on whom the remedying of them depends. A single murder committed in London makes more impression than if thousands of murders and other cruelties were committed in the East Indies. The … Continue reading Jeremy Bentham on colonies
