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625 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 100
The famous ode... which celebrates Alcibiades' victory in the chariot race at Olympia tells us that the first necessity for a happy life is to be born a native of a famous city. But in my opinion if a man is to enjoy true happiness, this will depend most of all upon his character and disposition, and consequently it will make no difference if he happens to belong to an obscure and humble city, any more than a small town.... virtue... like a tough and hardy plant, will take root and flourish in any place where it can lay hold upon a noble nature and a persevering spirit. In the same way, if we fall below the standards which we ought to attain in thought and action, we must not blame the insignificance of our native city, but rather our own shortcomings. (From the life of Demosthenes)All this shows that Plutarch, like most philosophical minds of his time, was engaged in the quest for virtue, and had come to the realization that such a life must begin within the human soul. He articulates a question that can't be answered until Christianity arrives fully on the scene, but at least Plutarch has a clear understanding of the problem of happiness and human vice.