On the Good Life (Penguin Classics)

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Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 878.0108 EAN: 9780140442441 ISBN: 0140442448 Label: Penguin Classics Manufacturer: Penguin Classics Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 384 Publication Date: 1971-09-30 Publisher: Penguin Classics Studio: Penguin Classics
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Editorial Reviews: For the great Roman orator and statesman Cicero, the good life' was at once a life of contentment and one of moral virtue and the two were inescapably intertwined. This volume brings together a wide range of his reflections upon the importance of moral integrity in the search for happiness. In essays that are articulate, meditative and inspirational, Cicero presents his views upon the significance of friendship and duty to state and family, and outlines a clear system of practical ethics that is at once simple and universal. These works offer a timeless reflection upon the human condition, and a fascinating insight into the mind of one of the greatest thinkers of Ancient Rome.
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: Great anthology Comment: I found this book to be a great introduction to Cicero's works. This work does not contain any of his famous speeches but rather a few of the essays he composed while in exile in Tusculum. Thus though it is a good introduction to his works, it is certainly not representative of them. Cicero is often called Rome's greatest orator and sometimes even the greatest thinker in the Roman Republic. Certainly, whatever the merits of these appellations, Cicero certainly was one of the greatest thinkers anywhere in the Classical world. The clarity and thoughtfulness of his writings and speeches are superceded only by their timelessness. This anthology explores Cicero's ideas relating to how one should live one's life in order to be happy. The general conclusion is that one should live a moral and balanced life, and that in so doing, one will find happiness. These ideas are then fleshed out regarding friendships, duties to others, and the like. The material is usually thought-provoking and well put together, and the translation is solid. In the end, I was struck by the degree to which Cicero managed to synthesize realism and idealism into a whole which was not only practical and empirically sound but also based on the noblest of ideals. His works are thus both challenging and rewarding for people of any viewpoint on life. Customer Rating: Summary: Cicero--Statesman and Philosopher Comment: One thing to note about this book is that it is a collection of selected chapters from Cicero's works. The only work that is complete is "On Friendship". More than likely, this was designed for literature classes that needed a sampling of Cicero without getting too deep into his writings. If you're a first time reader who would like a sample of Cicero to see if you would like to read more of his works, then this would be a good collection to get you started. However, if you would like complete works, you should avoid this book. Customer Rating: Summary: To Italy! To Cicero! Comment: It's always a joy to return to the works of one Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was Rome's greatest orator, and anyone who has ever read his works can certainly see why. In the present work he discusses the concepts of friendship, moral virtue, one's duty to the state, one's duty to one's friends (and what to do when these come into conflict), oratory and the famous "Dream of Scipio." I have little doubt that Dante used the latter as inspiration for the 3rd canticle of his DIVINE COMEDY (Paradise). In reading of Cicero's thoughts on morality, it's easy to discern the influence that Cicero had on Immanual Kant. Kant extrapolated and expounded on a lot of Cicero's basic ideas. The dialogue on friendship is a good complement to the writings of what Plato & Aristotle had to say on the subject. The works are translated and edited by the venerable Michael Grant of Cambridge university. I consider myself pretty well read when it comes to the personages of antiquity. Still, Cicero loves to name-drop and frequently his allusions are beyond my grasp. That's where our good buddy Michael Grant comes in. Grant's footnotes do a terrific job of clarifying who Cicero is referring to, and makes Cicero's writings far more cohesive & easier to understand. I would gather that Grant's elucidations would even be apt to assist people with doctorates in history who wish to engage the Roman writer. There is one mannerism of Cicero's that is bound to rub a lot of readers the wrong way, and that is his being convinced that the world revolves around Rome. In this way, he reminds me of how modern day New Yorkers believe that the world revolves around NYC. It is helpful, however, to remember that in his day the world basically DID revolve around Rome. The Romans truly saw themselves as a beacon of light in what was largely an uncivilized planet. Whether one likes or dislikes the Romans, of course, is a different matter entirely. If you've never read Cicero before, this would be an ideal place to start. It is a far easier read than his ON THE ORATOR and other works. It will also be a nice introduction into the milieu in which the orator lived. Anyone who has any passing interest in the world of antiquity would be highly urged to read this book. Customer Rating: Summary: Cicero Comment: When people talk about the moral construct of our society, it's nice to occationally look back at some of the great thinkers of the past to see how they looked at morality. Look at this fine translation of a powerful thinker and moralist, Cicero...and low and behold you will find many ideas in our Declaration of Independence. It is always exhilarating to read great ideas well spun.... Customer Rating: Summary: Buy On Friendship, trash Michael Grant Comment: It is a surprise to me that many of you give this book five stars: it isn't worth it. Four stars is the max. Why? First, only "On Friendship" is completely translated, all the others are merely selections. Second, Michael Grant's introduction to this book is rather unprofessional, and to some extent misleading. Grant keeps mentioning people other than Cicero himself, that is to say, you don't learn much about Cicero after reading his introduction. Third, Grant's has made a poor selection on Cicero's works: "On Duties II" can hardly stand alone, and if it is read by itself it could be very misleading (For this, see the introduction of "On Obligation" translated by P.G. Walsh, published by Oxford). "On the Orator I" is another poor choice, and in my opinion it should be excluded. Also, "Discussion at Tusculum V" should not stand alone. It should be published with the previous four books in a separate edition (becaue "Tusculan Disputation" is one of the best works of Cicero). And the "Dream of Scipio" is almost insignificant if it is left without the entire book of "De Republica". In short, I bought this book only for the purpose of reading "On Friendship", and no more. More Reviews