Sometimes we should chase the gazelle, and sometimes we should not.
A reader is concerned that he may be setting expectations and goals for himself that are not in accord with reality or practicality. He is wondering if he should make adjustments, but does’t really know if he’s just at a sticking point, or if he should change course altogether. I offer four suggestions for him to think about.
Sicily had numerous Greek cities from very early times. These were colonial settlements that gradually grew into larger urban centers with the passage of years. But Sicily’s strategic position in the central Mediterranean meant that it was destined to become a battleground for regional powers. It was a pattern that would repeat itself down through the centuries.
A 23-year-old reader in a European country is undecided what career path to take. He has narrowed down his choices training in art or training in law. But he’s not sure which one is best for him. I offer my own thoughts, and then some thoughts gleaned from my translation of Cicero’s On Duties (which is now available on Amazon.)
Summer is a time for outdoor activity. Many of us will find ourselves hiking, camping, or just going on long walks. I thought this would be a good opportunity to make up a list of what I consider the most important things a hiker should have in his possession.
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This podcast discusses my new book, On Duties. It is the most explanatory, readable, and well-organized translation of Cicero’s classic that is available in English, and perhaps in any language. In this podcast, I provide the three reasons why this is so. I also discuss the great theme running through the book: the idea of greatness of spirit.
The stories of forgotten weapons make for interesting reading. One such weapon was Britain’s “De Lisle carbine,” which remains one of the more obscure small arms stories of the Second World War. It is perhaps the most quiet weapon ever produced. Very few of them were made, and its full service record will probably never be fully known. But it does have an interesting story behind it and deserves more recognition than it has received.
I’m proud to announce that my new book, an annotated, fully explanatory edition of Cicero’s On Duties, is now available for pre-order. The Kindle version is available for pre-order now (with an actual release date of July 1), and the paperback version will be available on July 1 as well.
A reader notes that the previous generations failed to prevent the corruption and decay afflicting the US in the modern era. How did this happen? The short answer is that wealth and ease breed laziness and corruption. Tune in for more details.
Director: Ari Folman
This is an Israeli animated film about the remembrances of veterans of the so-called “First Lebanon War” of the 1980s. For those who don’t know or don’t remember, Israel invaded Lebanon in 1982. The reasons for this are outside the scope of this review, but we can rudely summarize them by pointing to two objectives: (1) installing a client regime in Beirut, and (2) destroying the PLO as an organization. At that time, the PLO had basically formed a state-within-a-state in south Lebanon.
At the end of this month, I will be releasing On Duties: A Guide To Conduct, Obligations, And Decision-Making. It is an exhaustively annotated, indexed, and topically referenced translation of Cicero’s famous treatise, along with commentary and supplementary essays.
Quintus Curtius 
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