The Great and Not-so-Great Books
April 14, 2010
A COLLEGE STUDENT whom I know is studying the philosophical works of Western history, as well as works about the philosophical works of Western history. He made this interesting comment about his studies:
I find I have a lot to say about the mediocre texts, but not so much to say about the great texts.
This made me laugh, and reminded me of words by Gaius Musonius Rufus, a Roman Stoic philosopher. Rufus said that when we hear great truths, we are silenced. When we hear lesser ones, we applaud.
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