Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
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Plutarch <strong>and</strong> the Greece <strong>of</strong> His Age<br />
Plutarch s ideal <strong>of</strong> duty is a high one. The ful<br />
filment <strong>of</strong> some duty is incumbent upon every man<br />
so long as he lives. It is as imperative in old age as<br />
in early life.<br />
When a man is quit <strong>of</strong> his obligations<br />
to his children, he owes a service to his country <strong>and</strong><br />
to his fellow citizens in a narrower sense. From<br />
<strong>of</strong> his facilities or<br />
this service, only the impairment<br />
death may release him. As every man is born into<br />
the state, <strong>and</strong> as, in a certain sense, he is a man only<br />
in so far as he discharges his obligations to the state,<br />
he has no choice in the matter. Herein lies a duty<br />
from which there is no possible escape. But the<br />
mere holding<br />
<strong>of</strong> an <strong>of</strong>fice is not the only or even the<br />
chief test <strong>of</strong> the good citizen. His duties in a pri<br />
vate capacity are no less important, <strong>and</strong> if less con<br />
spicuous are equally far reaching. The good citizen<br />
is the philosopher in his true sphere: good citizen<br />
ship is philosophy in action applied philosophy.<br />
It is only in actual life that the philosopher can put<br />
his theories to the test. The form <strong>of</strong> government is<br />
a matter <strong>of</strong> minor importance. Plutarch regards<br />
monarchy, as on the whole, the best, but he is not<br />
radical. In this he agrees with the majority <strong>of</strong><br />
Greek philosophers, most <strong>of</strong> whom were generally<br />
more or less dissatisfied with the turbulent Athenian<br />
democracy. That monarchy is best where the head <strong>of</strong><br />
the state is what Plutarch would have him be, a philos<br />
opher. But even the most absolute monarch should<br />
not regard himself above law; he is to be its executor.<br />
Moreover, it is his duty not only to obey cheerfully<br />
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