The Harvard Classics in a Year: A Liberal Education in 365 Days

by Amanda Kennedy

For instance: Nothing is more generally exploded than the folly of talking too much; yet I rarely remember to have seen five people together, where some one among them hath not been predominant in that kind, to the great constraint and disgust of all the rest.

findeth a hint that putteth him in mind of another story, which he promiseth to tell you when this is done;

Another general fault in conversation is, that of those who affect to talk of themselves: Some, without any ceremony, will run over the history of their lives; will relate the annals of their diseases, with the several symptoms and circumstances of them; will enumerate the hardships and injustice they have suffered in court, in parliament, in love, or in law.

Others make a vanity of telling their faults; they are the strangest men in the world; they cannot dissemble; they own it is a folly; they have lost abundance of advantages by it; but, if you would give them the world, they cannot help it; there is something in their nature that abhors insincerity and constraint; with many other insufferable topics of the same altitude.

Where company hath met, I often have observed two persons discover, by some accident, that they were bred together at the same school or university, after which the rest are condemned to silence, and to listen while these two are refreshing each other’s memory with the arch tricks and passages of themselves and their comrades.

His business is to be good company, and not good conversation; and therefore, he chooseth to frequent those who are content to listen, and profess themselves his

and they were usually attended with an humble audience of young students from the inns of court, or the universities, who at due distance, listened to these oracles, and returned home with great contempt for their law and philosophy, their heads filled with trash, under the name of politeness, criticism and belles lettres.

The great town is usually provided with some player, mimic or buffoon, who hath a general reception at the good tables; familiar and domestic with persons of the first quality, and usually sent for at every meeting to divert the company; against which I have no objection. You go there as to a farce or a puppetshow; your business is only to laugh in season, either out of inclination or civility, while this merry companion is acting his part.

And surely one of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish we had rather left unsaid; nor can there anything be well more contrary to the ends for which people meet together, than to part unsatisfied with each other or themselves.

There are two faults in conversation, which appear very different, yet arise from the same root, and are equally blamable; I mean, an impatience to interrupt others, and the uneasiness of being interrupted ourselves.

because when any man speaketh in company, it is to be supposed he doth it for his hearers’ sake, and not his own;

Meantime, they are so far from regarding what passes, that their imaginations are wholly turned upon what they have in reserve, for fear it should slip out of their memory; and thus they confine their invention, which might otherwise range over a hundred things full as good, and that might be much more naturally introduced.

therefore, men of much learning, and who know the compass of a language, are generally the worst talkers on a sudden, until much practice hath inured and emboldened them, because they are confounded with plenty of matter, variety of notions, and of words, which they cannot readily choose, but are perplexed and entangled by too great a choice; which is no disadvantage in private conversation;

and others too gross to need exploding; such as lewd or profane talk;

Thus we see how human nature is most debased, by the abuse of that faculty, which is held the great distinction between men and brutes; and how little advantage we make of that which might be the greatest, the most lasting, and the most innocent, as well as useful pleasure of life.

In default of which, we are forced to take up with those poor amusements of dress and visiting, or the more pernicious ones of play, drink, and vicious amours, whereby the nobility and gentry of both sexes are entirely corrupted both in body and mind, and have lost all notions of love, honour, friendship, generosity; which, under the name of fopperies, have been for some time laughed out of doors.

DECEMBER When icicles hang by the wall And Dick the shepherd blows his nail, And Tom bears logs into the hall, And milk comes frozen home in pail... SHAKESPEARE (Vol. 40, p. 262 of The Harvard Classics)

December 1st Are Skeptics Faulty Thinkers? George Berkeley (1685–1753). Three Dialogues Between Hylas and Philonous in Opposition to Sceptics and Atheists. Vol. 37, pp. 189-199 of The Harvard Classics Offhand we say a skeptic is one who doubts everything. But does he? And are his doubts caused by too much learning, or too little? Berkeley presents both sides of skepticism.

Phil. It happened well, to let you see what innocent and agreeable pleasures you lose every morning. Can there be a pleasanter time of the day, or a more delightful season of the year? That purple sky, those wild but sweet notes of birds, the fragrant bloom upon the trees and flowers, the gentle influence of the rising sun, these and a thousand nameless beauties of nature inspire the soul with secret transports; its faculties too being at this time fresh and lively, are fit for those meditations, which the solitude of a garden and tranquillity of the morning naturally dispose us to. But I am afraid I interrupt your thoughts: for you seemed very intent on something.

I was considering the odd fate of those men who have in all ages, through an affectation of being distinguished from the vulgar, or some unaccountable turn of thought, pretended either to believe nothing at all, or to believe the most extravagant things in the world.

Hyl. What I can anything be more fantastical, more repugnant to Common Sense, or a more manifest piece of Scepticism, than to believe there is no such thing as matter?

Phil. Well then, are you content to admit that opinion for true, which upon examination shall appear most agreeable to Common Sense, and remote from Scepticism?

Phil. Pray, Hylas, what do you mean by a sceptic? Hyl. I mean what all men mean—one that doubts of everything.

Phil. Whether doth doubting consist in embracing the affirmative or negative side of a question? Hyl. In neither; for whoever understands English cannot but know that doubting signifies a suspense between both.

Phil. He then that denies any point, can no more be said to doubt of it, than he who affirmeth it with the same degree of assurance.

Phil. And, consequently, for such his denial is no more to be esteemed a sceptic than the other.

Hyl. Hold, Philonous, I have been a little out in my definition; but every false step a man makes in discourse is not to be insisted on. I said indeed that a sceptic was one who doubted of everything; but I should have added, or who denies the reality and truth of things.

Hyl. To prevent any more questions of this kind, I tell you once for all, that by sensible things I mean those only which are perceived by sense; and that in truth the senses perceive nothing which they do not perceive immediately: for they make no inferences. The deducing therefore of causes or occasions from effects and appearances, which alone are perceived by sense, entirely relates to reason.

Phil. What! are you then in that sceptical state of suspense, between affirming and denying? Hyl. I think I may be positive in the point. A very violent and painful heat cannot exist without the mind.

Phil. Since, therefore, as well those degrees of heat that are not painful, as those that are, can exist only in a thinking substance; may we not conclude that external bodies are absolutely incapable of any degree of heat whatsoever?

December 2nd Practical Jokes in King Arthur's Day Sir Thomas Malory (d. 1471). The Holy Grail. Vol. 35, pp. 128-134 of The Harvard Classics Attacked in fun by two masked knights, Sir Galahad smote one so that both horse and rider went down. Turning on the other jester, he slashed open his helmet.

December 3rd Met the Gods of Ten Thousand Worlds Buddhist Writings Vol. 45, pp. 603-612 of The Harvard Classics After three awesome messengers have issued three warnings, the gods of ten thousand worlds decide who is to be the new Buddha. Then the parents, the conception, the birth of the god-child demand constant vigilance.

December 4th The Queen Weds a Poor Stranger Vergil (70 B.C.–19 B.C.). Æneid. Vol. 13, pp. 152-162 of The Harvard Classics Æneas and Dido, world-famous lovers, while hunting in the forest, were trapped in a cave by a furious storm. There the marriage between the proud African queen and the homeless wanderer was completed.

December 5th Poems by an Artist's Model Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894). Selected Poems. Vol. 42, pp. 1181-1183 of The Harvard Classics So beautiful that many painters sought her for a model - Christina Rossetti, sister of the famous poet, Dante Rossetti, combined with her unusual beauty a rare poetic sense. (Christina Georgina Rossetti born Dec. 5, 1830.)

December 6th Moralizing as a Seductive Art Joseph Addison (1672-1719), Selected Poems. Vol. 27, pp. 73-80 of The Harvard Classics "The Vision of Mirza" and "Westminster Abbey," first printed in "The Spectator," are examples of Addison's wondrous gift of expression. He leads us to higher realms. (Last issue of "The Spectator" published Dec. 6, 1712.)

December 7th What Cicero Least Expected Plutarch (A.D. 46?–c.A.D. 120). Plutarch’s Lives. Vol. 12, pp. 222-231 of The Harvard Classics After being governor of Sicily, Cicero returned to Rome expecting a hero's welcome. When he asked what the Romans thought of his recent achievements, he received an astounding answer. (Cicero slain by Mark Antony's soldiers, Dec. 7, 43 B. C.)

December 8th Dream Women Shaped His Destiny Thomas De Quincey (1885-1859). Levana and Our Ladies of Sorrow. Vol. 27, pp. 319-325 of The Harvard Classics De Quincy imagined that three women were sent to him so that he might know the depths of his soul. Real women could not have wielded greater influence. It is fortunate that everyone does not meet these weird women. (Thomas De Quincy died Dec. 8, 1859.)

December 9th Slavery's Last Stand Fugitive Slave Act (1850) Vol. 43, pp. 306-312 of The Harvard Classics By the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 stringent laws were made to prevent assistance being given to any slaves attempting to escape. The antislavery answer to these laws was a perfection of the "Underground Railroad."

December 10th Benvenuto Boasts of Gallantry Benvenuto Cellini (1500–1571). Autobiography. Vol. 31, pp. 62-72 of The Harvard Classics Taking offense at a soldier who made advances toward his favorite lady, Cellini jumped from the window, knife in hand, to avenge himself. This incident was recorded with characteristic conceit by Cellini in his amazing diary.

December 11th The Most Dashing Figure in Athens Plutarch (A.D. 46?–c.A.D. 120). Plutarch’s Lives. Vol. 12, pp. 106-117 of The Harvard Classics The handsome Alcibiades, cunning in politics, bold in war, was the lion of Athenian society until he violated the secrets of a mysterious religious cult. Then all outraged Athens united to dash their idol to the ground.

December 12th How the Glorious News was Carried to Aix Robert Browning (1812–1889), Selected Poetry. Vol. 42, pp. 1066-1068 of The Harvard Classics Three brave men began the heroic ride from Ghent to Aix. Only one man arrived to tell the thrilling story of the tempestuous ride. In one of his most bewitching poems, in lines that haunt the memory, Browning retells the story. (Robert Browning died Dec. 12, 1889.)

December 13th To the South Seas with the Gallant Drake Francis Pretty, Sir Francis Drake’s Famous Voyage Round the World. Vol. 33, pp. 199-208 of The Harvard Classics A famous voyage was Sir Francis Drake's around the world. Drake's crew, the first white men to visit many parts of the world, received amazing receptions from the natives. (Sir Francis Drake embarked for South Seas, Dec. 13, 1577.)

December 14th Pastoral Poems and Politics Andrew Marvell (1621–1678), Selected Poetry. Vol. 40, pp. 370-379 of The Harvard Classics The many-sided Marvell, who wielded a pen that was both feared and courted, is seen at his best in stirring verse. "A Garden," "Prospect of Flowers," with the "Horatian Ode upon Cromwell," show the power of his genius. (Marvell entered Cambridge, Dec. 14, 1633.)

December 15th Odysseus Talks with Ghosts Homer (fl. 850 B.C.). The Odyssey. Vol. 22, pp. 145-153 of The Harvard Classics This is another of those marvelous and unforgetable tales of the wandering Odysseus. The fantasy takes him into regions where he discourses with deceased heroes.

December 16th How Man's Courtship Differs from Animal's Edmund Burke (1729–1797). On the Sublime and Beautiful. Vol. 24, pp. 37-48 of The Harvard Classics Beauty is an important factor in the attraction between man and woman. It is knowing beauty that differentiates man from the animals, which only require that their mates be of the same species.

It is on this principle that flattery is so prevalent; for flattery is no more than what raises in a man’s mind an idea of a preference which he has not.

The passions which belong to self-preservation turn on pain and danger; they are simply painful when their causes immediately affect us; they are delightful when we have an idea of pain and danger, without being actually in such circumstances;

1 The second head to which the passions are referred with relation to their final cause, is society. There are two sorts of societies.

The first is, the society of sex. The passion belonging to this is called love, and it contains a mixture of lust; its object is the beauty of women.

The other is the great society with man and all other animals. The passion subservient to this is called likewise love, but it has no mixture of lust, and its object is beauty; which is a name I shall apply to all such qualities in things as induce in us a sense of affectio...