A Discourse of Constancy, in Two Books: Chiefly containing Consolations Against Publick Evils.

by Justus Lipsius, Kirk Watson (Editor), Nathaniel Wanley (Translator)

Justus Lipsius (1547-1606), though now forgotten, was once very famous; Montaigne called him “the most learned man now living”. He was a talented philologist, scholar, and philosopher who spent his life in study and teaching in modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. Religious sectarianism and independence struggles formed the backdrop to his entire life, and Lipsius found stability and courage in the writings of the ancient Stoics. "On Constancy" has been called “the manifesto of a humanist who was convinced that he had found in Seneca’s philosophy both a consolation and a solution to the public calamities which he and his contemporaries were enduring". Lipsius wrote this book to show that “this Mind of ours is to be so fram’d and establish’d, as that we may find repose in the midst of troubles, and peace in the midst of Warrs.” Lipsius also studies the role of Providence, God, Fate, and cosmic justice in what we suffer on earth. He offers both divine and worldly considerations to train the mind in constancy amid if we place the woes of our country in the larger context of world history, we find that even the worst of our problems are nothing in comparison to many events reported in history; unbelievable massacres have characterized the human race since the beginning. “Think upon these things”, he writes, “and let this communion in miseries help to alleviate those of yours”. This is the Nathaniel Wanley translation of 1670.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Classics

191 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

1547-1606

Reviews

[Lew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lipsius tries in about 100 pages of text to bridge stoicism to a more contemporary context; tying in with Christianity and through the lens of the political events that were surrounding his life at the time. I think, overall, he does a good job for the length it is given. While Seneca remains to me the forefront of Stoic philosophy, I appreciate what Lipsius was trying to accomplish and think that it's a good read.

[Jared Abbott · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not impressed at all and found the archaic language fairly difficult (and I the sort of person who enjoys Shakespeare and prefers to read The Pilgrim's Progress in the original 17th century English).

[Michael Baranowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

I admire the attempt to combine Stoicism and Christianity, but you'll get better Stoicism from Epictetus or Seneca, and you'll get better Christianity from all sorts of other places. Some rarely read philosophical works are rarely read for good reason - I'd say this is one of them.

[Enrico · Rating 3 out of 5]

Justus Lipsius was a renaissance Stoic. There is nothing really new about Stoicism in here. He tried to bring the God of Christianity into it, which makes sense considering the time of his writing.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eestikeelne tõlge on väga hea ja põhjalik. Kuigi ma tunnen, et hetkel ma ei ole Lipsiuse mudellugeja, siis sellele vaatamata saab üht-teist seostatud ja üles korjatud.