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Of Cowardice And Magnanimity
The philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus of Eresos succeeded Aristotle as head of the Peripatetic school; and while he may not have had his predecessor’s visionary profundity, he more than compensated for this with a genial manner, relentless curiosity, and a genius for organization. Like the Prussian naturalist Alexander Von Humboldt, there was nothing in the…
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Some Recent Questions (Podcast)
In this podcast, I answer some recent questions on a variety of subjects: family, relationships, homelessness, and school choices.
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An Eclipse Confirms General Relativity
Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity, first published in 1915, proved to be a revolutionary way of looking at the universe. The three dimensions of space were combined with time to create a unified whole; and this space-time grid, instead of being fixed and static, could be warped in certain circumstances.
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The Grandeur Of Acquiring Knowledge
Sidonius Apollinaris, who died in 489 A.D., was a diplomat, literary figure, and ecclesiastical official of fifth-century Gaul. He was also a letter-writer of impressive fecundity and erudition; and his powers of memory were so great, we are told, that he was able to recite long liturgies from memory and deliver orations without notes or…
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George Washington’s Leadership Qualities
George Washington generally preferred a restrained style of leadership. By this I mean he was economical with his words, careful in doling out both praise and recriminations, and mindful that his actions would resound more loudly with subordinates than his statements. He understood the principle that, when leading men, sometimes a leader had to turn…
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Conscience As The Theater Of Virtue: The Justice Of Saladin
I very much like the following maxim of Cicero’s: Nevertheless, no theater for virtue is greater than one’s conscience. [1] What he meant by this was that one’s own conscience should guide the performance of good works. He was expressing his disapproval of those who did things for the purpose of gaining public favor, instead…
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Thomas Gray’s “Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard” (Podcast)
This podcast is a reading of Thomas Gray’s poem Elegy Written In A Country Churchyard. It is a stately meditation on mortality and glory, themes that appear frequently in Stoic writings.
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Washington’s Debts, And The Necessity Of Tact
George Washington was keenly aware of the psychological pressures of being in debt. He once advised a nephew on the subject:
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Do What You Love, Because Life’s Going To Kick You In The Head No Matter What You Do (Podcast)
A reader asks if he’s making the right decision by leaving his corporate job and going to law school. He is uninspired by his current job, feels restless, and wants to fight against the injustices he sees around him. He is intelligent, organized, and motivated to change. I offer some thoughts on his decision.
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Remedies, Detriments, And Moral Factors
The jurist, poet, and scholar Baha Al-Din Ibn Shaddad (بهاء الدين ابن شداد) was born in the city of Mosul, Iraq in 1145. He was a close friend of the famed commander and statesman Saladin, and wrote a highly valued biography of that eminent conqueror. He served for a time as the qadi (judge) of…
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The Indian Rope Trick
The traveler Ibn Battuta visited north India in the early 1330s to seek the employment of the sultan Mohammad Ibn Tughluq. At some point during his residence in the city of Delhi, he had occasion to observe the practices of the Indian holy men, whom he called jugis (i.e., yogis).
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Virtue Is Not Exacting In Her Admittance
There is an interesting passage in the writings of Valerius Maximus (III.3) that is open to different interpretations. It reads as follows:
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The Multimixer Moment (Podcast)
In life there are certain crisis points that may lead to fateful decisions. Recognizing these points, and acting decisively when they are reached, is the mark of a true man of action. When you are on a track that you don’t want to be on, you will eventually have to choose one of two options: …
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The Sultan’s Two Goblets
The medieval Arab traveler Ibn Battuta passed through Persia during his many years of wanderings. One of the regions he visited there was Lorestan, which is today a province in western Iran, situated in the Zagros mountains. Lorestan was at that time ruled by Muzaffar Al-Din Afrasiyab, a member of the Hazaraspid dynasty, which was…
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Seven Pillars Of A Noble Youth
It has been said, my son, that a society which neglects its youth is a society unworthy of survival. For while libraries and museums may be repositories of our cultural heritage, it is the youth that embody our sentient aspirations, and, through their activities, redeem our errors with the vitality of innocence. Yet surging waters…
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Taboos And Totems
Herman Melville’s first book, Typee, describes his adventures among the natives of the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific. His whaler, the Acushnet, had reached Nuku Hiva, and by that time the young rogue had reached the limits of his tolerance of shipboard life. So he left. He and his friend Toby took a few…
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My Favorite Films Of The Past Twenty Years
Below are listed my favorite films of the past twenty years. These are the movies that have most influenced me, or have left the most enduring impression on my mind. They are presented in no rigid order of hierarchy, except for the first title, The Lives of Others, which for me towers over every other…
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Take Responsibility For What You Do (Podcast)
If you’ve been assigned a job or a position, take responsibility for what you do. Form your plans, put them into action, and stand by your decisions no matter what the consequences. Don’t shirk responsibility, don’t pass the buck, and don’t look to create excuses if things don’t go as planned. Our society is filled…
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The Nakedness Of The Soul
I have just finished watching a reality television series on Netflix called Alone: The Arctic. I believe it was originally produced by the History Channel. Now before you roll your eyes and dismiss what I have to say out of hand, I would ask you for a fair hearing. Hear me out, dear reader: for…
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The Gravitation Of Noble Souls
In one of his letters to his brother Quintus, Marcus Tullius Cicero makes the following observation: The more virtuous a man is, the less he considers others to be evil. [Letters to Quintus I.4.12] The idea is the same as that expressed in an old Korean proverb, which I remember from my residence in that…
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The G Manifesto Tweet Readings: Herd Immunity Edition
We’re back, and pushing for herd immunity! It’s July 14, 2020. And here is the latest installment of the authorized G Manifesto (Twitter: @MichaelPorfirio) tweet readings. The only authorized readings, mind you.
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Acute Vision For Others, Feeble Sight For Ourselves
I recall reading somewhere that both Archimedes and the mathematician Leonhard Euler never liked to explain how they arrived at their discoveries. They took care to remove all the scaffolding before presenting their magnificent edifices to posterity; we saw the finished product, but not the arduous labor that was necessary to create it. This may…
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Thoughts On “Apocalypse Now” (Podcast)
In this podcast we discuss the movie “Apocalypse Now” (1979). We deal with the problematic shooting of the film, the choices of actors, and aspects of the script. We then explore the movie’s major themes.
Original copy of Cicero’s De Officiis (On Duties) published in Holland in 1642. From the collection of Fortress of the Mind.
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