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On the Good Life (Penguin Classics)
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Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price: $10.88
You Save: $ 5.12 ( 32% )
Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Average Customer Rating:
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On the Good Life (Penguin Classics) Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 878.0108
EAN: 9780140442441
ISBN: 0140442448
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 384
Publication Date: 1971-09-30
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Studio: Penguin Classics
Dewey Decimal Number: 878.0108
EAN: 9780140442441
ISBN: 0140442448
Label: Penguin Classics
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 384
Publication Date: 1971-09-30
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Studio: Penguin Classics
Editorial Review of On the Good Life (Penguin Classics)
Customer Reviews of On the Good Life (Penguin Classics)
Customer Rating: 
Review Summary: Cicero--Statesman and Philosopher
Review: One thing to note about this book is that it is a collection of selected chapters from Cicero's works. The only work that is complete is "On Friendship". More than likely, this was designed for literature classes that needed a sampling of Cicero without getting too deep into his writings. If you're a first time reader who would like a sample of Cicero to see if you would like to read more of his works, then this would be a good collection to get you started. However, if you would like complete works, you should avoid this book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: To Italy! To Cicero!
Review: It's always a joy to return to the works of one Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was Rome's greatest orator, and anyone who has ever read his works can certainly see why. In the present work he discusses the concepts of friendship, moral virtue, one's duty to the state, one's duty to one's friends (and what to do when these come into conflict), oratory and the famous "Dream of Scipio." I have little doubt that Dante used the latter as inspiration for the 3rd canticle of his DIVINE COMEDY (Paradise).
In reading of Cicero's thoughts on morality, it's easy to discern the influence that Cicero had on Immanual Kant. Kant extrapolated and expounded on a lot of Cicero's basic ideas. The dialogue on friendship is a good complement to the writings of what Plato & Aristotle had to say on the subject.
The works are translated and edited by the venerable Michael Grant of Cambridge university. I consider myself pretty well read when it comes to the personages of antiquity. Still, Cicero loves to name-drop and frequently his allusions are beyond my grasp. That's where our good buddy Michael Grant comes in. Grant's footnotes do a terrific job of clarifying who Cicero is referring to, and makes Cicero's writings far more cohesive & easier to understand. I would gather that Grant's elucidations would even be apt to assist people with doctorates in history who wish to engage the Roman writer.
There is one mannerism of Cicero's that is bound to rub a lot of readers the wrong way, and that is his being convinced that the world revolves around Rome. In this way, he reminds me of how modern day New Yorkers believe that the world revolves around NYC. It is helpful, however, to remember that in his day the world basically DID revolve around Rome. The Romans truly saw themselves as a beacon of light in what was largely an uncivilized planet. Whether one likes or dislikes the Romans, of course, is a different matter entirely.
If you've never read Cicero before, this would be an ideal place to start. It is a far easier read than his ON THE ORATOR and other works. It will also be a nice introduction into the milieu in which the orator lived. Anyone who has any passing interest in the world of antiquity would be highly urged to read this book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Cicero
Review: When people talk about the moral construct of our society, it's nice to occationally look back at some of the great thinkers of the past to see how they looked at morality. Look at this fine translation of a powerful thinker and moralist, Cicero...and low and behold you will find many ideas in our Declaration of Independence. It is always exhilarating to read great ideas well spun....
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Buy On Friendship, trash Michael Grant
Review: It is a surprise to me that many of you give this book five stars: it isn't worth it. Four stars is the max. Why? First, only "On Friendship" is completely translated, all the others are merely selections. Second, Michael Grant's introduction to this book is rather unprofessional, and to some extent misleading. Grant keeps mentioning people other than Cicero himself, that is to say, you don't learn much about Cicero after reading his introduction. Third, Grant's has made a poor selection on Cicero's works: "On Duties II" can hardly stand alone, and if it is read by itself it could be very misleading (For this, see the introduction of "On Obligation" translated by P.G. Walsh, published by Oxford). "On the Orator I" is another poor choice, and in my opinion it should be excluded. Also, "Discussion at Tusculum V" should not stand alone. It should be published with the previous four books in a separate edition (becaue "Tusculan Disputation" is one of the best works of Cicero). And the "Dream of Scipio" is almost insignificant if it is left without the entire book of "De Republica". In short, I bought this book only for the purpose of reading "On Friendship", and no more.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: For Christians as well.
Review: Many early Christians found Cicero's 'On Duties' to be very edifying and pleasurable, and in this compilation, Book 2 is included--which some may consider to be the best of the three.
In this collection, there is much talk and good information ranging from how to be a succesful orator to the responsibility one needs to have on being a true friend to another person.
This is probably the greatest collection that Michael Grant has put together out of all of his Cicerian translations, and I think he deserves to be applauded.
If your a Christian and you like to read a conversation in dialogue format, but you think Plato's immorality towards children is an abomination, then read this collection written by Tully Cicero, which will most definitely prove to be highly ethical and puritan like.
And although Cicero wasn't perfect in speech or papyrus, he did live a highly chaste life and a mystical one as well. His writings, atleast in this collection, are very relaxing and highly puritan. And why, after all, would you read Plato when you can read Cicero?
Review Summary: Cicero--Statesman and Philosopher
Review: One thing to note about this book is that it is a collection of selected chapters from Cicero's works. The only work that is complete is "On Friendship". More than likely, this was designed for literature classes that needed a sampling of Cicero without getting too deep into his writings. If you're a first time reader who would like a sample of Cicero to see if you would like to read more of his works, then this would be a good collection to get you started. However, if you would like complete works, you should avoid this book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: To Italy! To Cicero!
Review: It's always a joy to return to the works of one Marcus Tullius Cicero. He was Rome's greatest orator, and anyone who has ever read his works can certainly see why. In the present work he discusses the concepts of friendship, moral virtue, one's duty to the state, one's duty to one's friends (and what to do when these come into conflict), oratory and the famous "Dream of Scipio." I have little doubt that Dante used the latter as inspiration for the 3rd canticle of his DIVINE COMEDY (Paradise).
In reading of Cicero's thoughts on morality, it's easy to discern the influence that Cicero had on Immanual Kant. Kant extrapolated and expounded on a lot of Cicero's basic ideas. The dialogue on friendship is a good complement to the writings of what Plato & Aristotle had to say on the subject.
The works are translated and edited by the venerable Michael Grant of Cambridge university. I consider myself pretty well read when it comes to the personages of antiquity. Still, Cicero loves to name-drop and frequently his allusions are beyond my grasp. That's where our good buddy Michael Grant comes in. Grant's footnotes do a terrific job of clarifying who Cicero is referring to, and makes Cicero's writings far more cohesive & easier to understand. I would gather that Grant's elucidations would even be apt to assist people with doctorates in history who wish to engage the Roman writer.
There is one mannerism of Cicero's that is bound to rub a lot of readers the wrong way, and that is his being convinced that the world revolves around Rome. In this way, he reminds me of how modern day New Yorkers believe that the world revolves around NYC. It is helpful, however, to remember that in his day the world basically DID revolve around Rome. The Romans truly saw themselves as a beacon of light in what was largely an uncivilized planet. Whether one likes or dislikes the Romans, of course, is a different matter entirely.
If you've never read Cicero before, this would be an ideal place to start. It is a far easier read than his ON THE ORATOR and other works. It will also be a nice introduction into the milieu in which the orator lived. Anyone who has any passing interest in the world of antiquity would be highly urged to read this book.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Cicero
Review: When people talk about the moral construct of our society, it's nice to occationally look back at some of the great thinkers of the past to see how they looked at morality. Look at this fine translation of a powerful thinker and moralist, Cicero...and low and behold you will find many ideas in our Declaration of Independence. It is always exhilarating to read great ideas well spun....
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Buy On Friendship, trash Michael Grant
Review: It is a surprise to me that many of you give this book five stars: it isn't worth it. Four stars is the max. Why? First, only "On Friendship" is completely translated, all the others are merely selections. Second, Michael Grant's introduction to this book is rather unprofessional, and to some extent misleading. Grant keeps mentioning people other than Cicero himself, that is to say, you don't learn much about Cicero after reading his introduction. Third, Grant's has made a poor selection on Cicero's works: "On Duties II" can hardly stand alone, and if it is read by itself it could be very misleading (For this, see the introduction of "On Obligation" translated by P.G. Walsh, published by Oxford). "On the Orator I" is another poor choice, and in my opinion it should be excluded. Also, "Discussion at Tusculum V" should not stand alone. It should be published with the previous four books in a separate edition (becaue "Tusculan Disputation" is one of the best works of Cicero). And the "Dream of Scipio" is almost insignificant if it is left without the entire book of "De Republica". In short, I bought this book only for the purpose of reading "On Friendship", and no more.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: For Christians as well.
Review: Many early Christians found Cicero's 'On Duties' to be very edifying and pleasurable, and in this compilation, Book 2 is included--which some may consider to be the best of the three.
In this collection, there is much talk and good information ranging from how to be a succesful orator to the responsibility one needs to have on being a true friend to another person.
This is probably the greatest collection that Michael Grant has put together out of all of his Cicerian translations, and I think he deserves to be applauded.
If your a Christian and you like to read a conversation in dialogue format, but you think Plato's immorality towards children is an abomination, then read this collection written by Tully Cicero, which will most definitely prove to be highly ethical and puritan like.
And although Cicero wasn't perfect in speech or papyrus, he did live a highly chaste life and a mystical one as well. His writings, atleast in this collection, are very relaxing and highly puritan. And why, after all, would you read Plato when you can read Cicero?