datecon

18 min read

Introduction

Introduction

Timeliness

Selection of Texts

Alternatives and Choices

The Emergence of Knowledge

The Authors

The Translations

Different Paths

Sources

Oral Records

(Accounts that suggest insights into pre-written humanistic thought)

Bushmen 

Introduction

The Sun and the Children

The Girl Who Made Stars 

To the Young Moon

The Broken String

Thoughts About Returning Home

The Bushman Drum and Dancing Rattles

How Dancing Rattles are Prepared

Beating the !Goin!Goin Drum for Honey

The Bushman Dance

Death and the Rain

What the Wind Does After Death 

Treatment of Thieves

Source

Maori

 

Introduction

Origination

Love For My Native Land

Soliloquy Of A Solitary Woman

Let Me Stay Here

Soliloquy Of An Invalid With Asthma

Lament for Tuterangiwhaitiri

Three Men Came By, But Not Te Ikanui

Lullaby for Maid-of-the-Dawn

A Lament For His Son

My Wife Gone, I Destroy My House

Sources

Eskimo 

Introduction

Everything in Me is Song

Songs Are Thoughts

The Joy of a Singer

The Song of the Trout Fisher

Little Child

How Sacred Songs Were Made

You See Us Happy Now

Why We are so Fond of Laughing

What I Desire out of Life

Why Is Life As It Is?

Peace Through Trade

When the First Caribou were Tamed

The Old Woman’s Blessing

Sources

Bantu  

Introduction

Choose a Husband Who Listens

Haste May Be Essential

The Future is Better than the Past

Avoid Incurring Painful Obligations 

A Slave may Work For Freedom 

Justice for the Lowly

Monkeys Do No Work

A Child Can Catch a Lie

A Child Deserves a Fair Share

A Youngster has a Right not to be Robbed

A Child Sold into Slavery has a Right to Escape 

An Insult To an In-Law Incurs Another 

Debts to In-Laws Must be Paid 

I am Calling You Loud

Beware of the River

Don’t Dance Off with Miss Rabbit!

A Little Bird Shall Reveal You

Lamba Proverbs

Sources

Ifaluk 

Introduction

Navigating by Stars

A Husband Lost at Sea

Love for a Stranger

For Three Sons at Sea

Bonito Trolling Song

Lemang’s Lament for A Daughter

Source

North American Indian 

Introduction

A Newborn Is Introduced to the Cosmos

Hopi Lullaby

Children Of The Land

Korosta Katzina Song

Learning To Hunt

Look Again

Song of the Rain Chant

Teachings of My Father - For a Daughter

When Our Earth Mother Is Replete

No Matter How Hard I Try

Teachings of My Father - For a Son

Twelfth Song of the Thunder

Health

In Beauty May I Walk

The Importance of Stories

Fire-Fly Song

Pipe of Peace

Warrior Song

All My Song is Lost and Gone

Sources

Bedouin

Introduction

A Desert Encampment

Refuge from Danger

Her Mouth

In Praise of His Love

Storm in the Desert

Age and Wisdom

Wine and Generosity

Raging War

A Swift Camel

Enjoyment of Life

Sources 

Yukaghir

 

Introduction

The Song of an Old Man

Love Song of a Young Man

When Our Camps Separated

There Stood a Handsome Fir

To the Frozen Sea

Libation Song for a Birth Ceremony

Source

Dekanawidah 

Introduction

The Great Peace

Admission of Other Nations

Opening the Council

Deliberative Bodies

Procedures Among Nations

Matrilineal Vesting of Chiefship

Replacement of a Confederate Chief

Wampum Records

Death of a Confederate Chief

Election of Pine Tree Chiefs

Names, Duties and Rights of War Chiefs

Clans and Consanguinity

Rights of Royaneh Women

Symbols of the Confederacy

Removal of Erring Chiefs

Emblems of Unity

Rights of Inhabitants

Powers of War

Rights of the People

Protection of Rites and Festivals

Protection of Dwellings

Sources

Written Records:

(By author in order of date of birth or initial date of period when authorship may have occurred)

Before 1000 BCE    

Sumerian Scribes

Introduction

Praise of Culgi

Praise of Shulgi

Praise of Ur-Namma

Praise of Urukagina

Praise of Gudea

Lullaby for a Son 

The Lament for Sumer and Urim

Lugalbanda in the Mountain Cave

Sources

Sumerian Love Poems

Introduction

My Honey-Sweet

As I was Strolling

Vigorously He Sprouted

Let Me Teach You the Lies of Women

Erect for Me My Flowered Bed

Man Of My Heart

Lu-dingir-ra's Praise of His Mother

Sources

Ptahhotep

Introduction

Follow Your Heart

Conduct

Trust

In Public

Humility

Friendship

Family

Leadership

Superiors

Disputes

The Worth of Precepts

Source

Hammurabi 

Introduction

Witnesses and Judges

Theft

Sons

Officers

Fields and Production

Trade

Wine Selling

Debt

Marriage

Battery

Physicians

Construction

Hired Property

Rural Crimes

Slaves

Source

Sin-leqe-unnini

Introduction

The Battle

The Triumph

Enkidu Dies

Gilgamesh’s Lament

Must I Die Too?

Suddenly There Is Nothing

Source

Egyptian Poems

Introduction

Sister Without Peer

My Brother Torments My Heart

My Heart Flutters Hastily

I Passed Before His House

Sickness Invaded Me

How Well She Knows To Cast The Noose

If Only I Were Made Doorkeeper

Saam-Plants Here Summon Us

It Is Her Love That Gives Me Strength

Source

Amenemope 

Introduction

Respect the Weak, Reject the Evil

Time Changes All

Act with Rectitude

Avoid Trouble-Making

Be Generous Towards Others

Source

1000 - 500 BCE

Chinese Odes 

Introduction

The Great Preface

The Plum Tree

In Springtime

The Wind Blows

War Robs Us of Our Wives

A Large Man, So Much at Ease

The Wife of the Marquis of Wei

My Husband is Away on Service

I Pray You, Mr. Chung

The Willows at the East Gate

The Farming Calendar

Admirable Guests

None Equal to Brothers

On Drinking Too Much

Source

Homer

Introduction

Agamemnon's Arrogance

Protecting the Bearer of Bad News

The Cause of a Pestilence

The Quarrel Between Agammenon and Achilles

Achilles' Threat

Agamemnon's Arrogant Answer

Achilles Swears to Not Fight

Achilles' Prayer

The Death of Patroclus

Achilles' Remorse

Hector and Andromache

Source

Levite Priests

       Introduction

        Behave Justly Towards Others

        Respect The Family and the Old

        Have Compassion

        Preserve Justice

        Limit Slavery

        Avoid Superstition

        Restrict Sexual Relations

        Apply Punishment

        Sources

Carvaka

Introduction

Only the Material World Exists

Pleasure and Pain

Ritual as a Livelihood

Hell as Mundane

Intelligence Resides in the Body

No Logical Basis for Inference

Testimony as no Basis for Inference

Comparison no Basis for Inference

Spontaneity in Nature

Sources

Vardhamana  

Introduction

The Principles

Goals In Life

Inflow Of Karmas

Stopping Karmic Inflow

Activities Of The Self 

The Physical World

Knowledge

Sources

Buddha 

Introduction

The Path to Enlightenment

The Fourfold Truth

The Eightfold Way

Dependent Origination

Five Elements of Existence

Non-Attachment

Enlightenment

No Permanent Self

At the End of Life

Sources

Lao Tzu

Introduction

Origination

Personal Conduct

Government

War

Sources

Confucius 

Introduction

The Doctrine of Equilibrium and Harmony

The Great Learning

Confucius Himself

Learning

The Superior Man

Virtue

The Mean Man

Government

Sources

Aeschylus

Introduction

The Sacrifice at Aulis

The Death of Iphigenia

The Gift of Helen

Clytemnestra’s Welcome to Agamemnon

Clytemnestra’s Revenge

The Elders Judge Clytemnestra

The Furies Claim Orestes

Athena Convenes a Jury Trial

Justice By Jury

The Rage of the Furies

The Furies Calmed

Sources

500 - 400 BCE  

Greek Analects

Introduction

Solon

Thales

Anaximander

Pythagoras

Xenophanes

Heraclitus

Alcmaeon

Parmenides

Epicharmus

Empedocles

Anaxagoras

Protagoras

Thrasymachus

Diogenes

Archytas

Anaxarchus

Antiphon

Sources

Euripedes 

Introduction

Insincerity and a Vacillating Mind

Oaths Made With Slight Thought

The Rebuke of a Husband

A Daughter’s Plea for Her Life

War and a Mother

A Daughter’s Sorrow After War

Marriage and War

Murder of a Child by War

Outward Signs Do Not Denote The Man

Riches Do Not Make a Man

Better Poor and Honest

Patriotism and War are Good For You

Generals May Act Like Brutes

Sources

Gorgias 

Introduction

The Defense of Palamedes

Poetry and Art

Persuasion

On Nature

Source

Mo Tzu 

Introduction

Humanism

Universal Love

Promote the Talented

Against Offensive War

Consequences Matter

Reading and Listening

How To Examine a Doctrine

Against Fatalism

Source

Socrates 

Introduction

The Trial

The Search for Wisdom

Acting the Part of the Good Man

The Sentence

The Greatest Good

Death

Source

Democritus 

Introduction

Happiness

On Cheerfulness

Self-Discipline

Pleasure

Character

Friendship

Knowledge

Learning

Government

Justice

Children

Sources

Thucydides 

Introduction

The Early History of Greece

Agamemnon

The Funeral Oration of Pericles

Source

Hippocrates 

Introduction

The Oath of Hippocrates

On Ancient Medicine

On the Sacred Disease (Epilepsy)

Source

Tamil Love Poems

Introduction

Praise

Longing

Joy

Source

400 - 200 BCE  

Chuang Tzu 

Introduction

Knowledge

Immortality

Meaning and Ambiguity

Generation by Opposites

Knowing and Not Knowing

Dreams

Nature and Government

Ocean and River

The Measure of Man

Relative Judgment

Beauty and Love

Source

Mencius

Introduction

Benevolence, Righteousness, Propriety, Knowledge

How Men Are Similar

How Men Differ

Natural Passions

The Superior Man

On Government

Livelihood

Education

Source

Bhagavad Gita

Introduction

Preparations for Battle

Arjuna’s Remorse

The Sin of Killing

Defilement in Distress

Grieve for the Dead

Source

Note

Epicurus

Introduction

Philosophy

Gods

Pleasure

Pain

Happiness

Friendship

Death

Independence

Wealth

Science

Atoms

The Universe

Mind

Prudence

Sources

Asoka  

Introduction

Remorse For Aggression

Conquest by Teaching

The Dharma

Welfare of the People

Religious Tolerance

Sources

Euclid

Introduction 

Geometric Definitions 

Geometric Postulates 

Common Notions 

Constructing an Equilateral Triangle 

Pythagoras’s Theorem 

Rational and Irrational Quantities--Definitions

Source

Xunzi 

Introduction

Inner Power

Definitions

Education

The Gentleman

The Scholar

Courage

Consequences

Dangerous Words

Source

Hebrew Songs 

Introduction

In Praise of the Lover

You Have Stolen My Heart

My Love Turned Away

Many Waters Cannot Quench Love

Sources

Han Fei Tzu

Introduction

A Country’s Strength Depends on Law

Promote Followers of the Law

Beware of Promotion by Reputation or Partisanship

Civil Decay Follows Punishment of the Innocent

Efficient Administration Depends on Upholding the Law

Let the Law Select Leaders

The Law Treats All Alike

Source

Koheleth 

Introduction

Emptiness

Kings

The End of Life

Wisdom and Folly

Everything has its Time

Enjoy Life

To the Young

Source

Polybius

Introduction

The Roman Conquest

The Importance of a Constitution

The Cycle of Six Forms of Government

Origins of a Constitution

Origins of Goodness and Justice

Emergence of Kingship

Rise of Tyranny

Rise and Fall of Aristocratic Rule

Rise and Fall of Democracy

The Cycle of Constitutional Revolutions

The Roman Constitution

The Consuls

The Senate

The People

Balance of Powers

Decay of Governments

Source

200 BCE - 200 CE   

Jesus Ben Sirach

Introduction

Living

Friendship

Family

Riches

Eating and Drinking

Lending and Borrowing

The Poor

The Rich and Powerful

Men to Avoid

Dreams

Advice

Death

Source

Sima Qian

Introduction

Benefits of Unification of China

The Emperor on his Treatment of his People

Destruction of History and Free Speech

The Search for Immortality

The Scholar’s Plot

The Execution of 460 Scholars

The First Emperor’s Treatment of his People

The First Emperor’s Rule

Source

Tiruvalluvar

Introduction

Virtue

Love

Family

Goodness

Harmony

Sin

Vegetarianism

Truth

Wisdom

Opportunity

Justice

Speech

Friendship

Folly

Fortune

Wealth

Poverty

Source

Lucretius 

Introduction

Fear of Death

Material Nature of Mind

Different Natures

The Mortality of Mind

Nothing to Fear in Death

The Struggle to Escape Oneself

Source

Vitruvius

Introduction

Connections in Architecture

The Education of an Architect

On Budget Overruns

Source

Jesus of Nazareth 

Introduction

The Way

Loving Compassion

Living

Generosity and Injustice

Finding What Is Lost

Fruitfulness

Source

Wang Ch'ung 

Introduction

Origination

Spontaneous Action

The Purposeless Heavens

The Indifferent Heavens

Destiny

Ghosts

The Dead

No Messages From Beyond

Fictitious Influences

Eminent Drunkards

Superstition and Prejudice

On Divination

Dreams

On Not Flying to Heaven

Desire And The Long Life

A Word on Dragons

Source

Epictetus

Introduction

Things Within Our Power

The Nature of Things

What can be Influenced

Judgment of Events

A Governing Principle

Conduct

Sources of Opinion

Results of Principles

Source

200 - 800 CE 

Lu Chi  

Introduction

The Motive for Poetry

Meditation Before Writing

The Working Process

The Joy of Writing 

On Form

The Making of a Composition

Five Shortcomings

The Secret of Artistry

The Source of Literature and Discipline 

Of Inspiration

The Service of Literature

Sources

Augustine 

Introduction

Recalling Images

Memories-Individual, Separate, Personal

Memory-Basis for Actions, Hopes

Admiration of Memory

Memory of Significance

Memory and Cogitation

Remembering

Recalling Emotions

Naming and Memory

Forgetfulness

Searching Memory

Theory of Time

Theory of Mind

Source

Justinian

Introduction

Justice and Law

The Law of Nature, the Law of Nations, and Civil Law

The Law of Persons

Men Free Born

Freedmen

Repeal of the Lex Fufia Caninia

Paternal Power

Marriage

T he Different Kinds of Things

Soldiers Wills

Obligations Arising from Delict

Robbery

Injuries

Public Prosecutions

Source

Hitomaro

Introduction

On the Sovereign's Visit to the Palace in Yoshinu

Prince Karu's Retreat To Remember His Father

On Leaving His Wife in Ihami (I)

On Leaving His Wife in Ihami (II)

On the Death of His Wife (I)

On Seeing a Corpse on the Shore

On the Death of His Wife (II)

On His Approaching Death

Source

Li Po

Introduction

On A Picture Screen 

To Wang Lun

Three—With the Moon and His Shadow

Taking Leave of a Friend 

To His Two Children 

A Mountain Revelry

The Old Dust

Chuang Tzu And The Butterfly

His Dream Of The Skyland: A Farewell Poem

A Vindication

Nefarious War

Before The Cask of Wine

Source

Du Fu

Introduction

The Chariots Go Forth to War

War

The Fireflies

The Parrot

Source

Po Chu i 

Introduction

The Dragon of the Black Pool

The Grain Tribute

The Dwarfs of Tao-Chou

The Old Man with the Broken Arm

Kept Waiting

The Philosopher (Lao Tzu)

The Red Cockatoo

Drunk Again

A Lament for my Son Ts’uiA Forsaken Garden

Golden Bells

Remembering Golden Bells

Planting a Lichi Tree

The Almond Blossoms of Chao Village

On Being Stricken with Paralysis

Night on the West River

Sources

800 - 1100 CE  

Tsurayuki 

Introduction

Origins of Poetry

Categories of Poetry

Themes of Poetry

Early Japanese Poetry

Poetic Criticism

The Kokinwakashiu Anthology

Poetry Endures

Source

Albiruni

Introduction

Hearsay

Reliability of Sources

Understanding other Nations

Understanding India

Errors of Scribes

Errors of Versifying

Errors of Religion

Errors of Nationalism

Value of Science

Causes of Eclipses

Rays from the Sun

India was Once a Sea

Witchcraft and Alchemy

Duration of an Era

Era of the Creation

Era of the Deluge

Origins of Idols

Value of Understanding

Sources

Al Maarri 

Introduction

A Friend Who Can Talk Well

Death Stalks the Night

Falsehood is Perpetual Loss

What Choice has Man?

The Present Hour is Yours

None to Lead but Reason

The Large Gifts of Death

Refrain from Speech

Leaders Wrong Their Subjects

Servants of the People

Creation Reveals A Lack of Sense

The Two Universal Sects

Truth Hides Her Face

I No Longer Steal from Nature

The Cheat of Sacred Rights

A Spoken Lie Enforced by Blood

The Bitter Draught of Life

Disbelieve in Transmigration

Death's Debt is Paid in Full

The Scoundrel's Plea

Guidance of Confusion

Who is Saved from the Grave?

The Arrogant beneath our Feet

Victory will Bring Revenge

Life's Short Thread

Perish or Live in Pain

Scenes that Stun Introspection

The Hand Lies Open

Time and Space

Creator of Wrongs

The Body is Your Vase

Shattered Like Glass

Sources

Samuel ha-Nagid

Introduction

An Invitation

The Power of the Pen

Man Runs towards the Grave

Two Bouts of Woe

The Citadel

I Look up to the Sky

Source

Bilhana 

Introduction

Clinging to a Lost Learning

My Heavy Heart is Broken up

Memory Racked with Love

The Hot Taste of Life

Sources

Omar Khaiyyam

Introduction

Dawn

Time

Paradise

Mortality

Clear Past Regrets

Like Wind I Go

Be Merry with the Fruitful Grape

Destiny

Spring Shall Vanish

Sources

Anna Comnena

Introduction

History and the Stream of Time

The Rise of the Norman Raiders

The Excuse to Assault Byzantium

The Pope's Quarrel Helps Robert Guiscard

Robert Promises Aid for the Pope

Robert Ignores the Pope’s Request for HelpThe Start of the First Crusade

The Massacre at Nicaea

King of Kings Cast Up by the Waves

The Naval Battle with Count of Prebentza

The Fighting Priest

The Oath to Protect the Emperor's Territory

Bohemund Takes the Oath

The Siege of Antioch

Alexius Diverted from Antioch

Bohemond Claims Antioch for Himself

Odiferous Bohemond Resurrected in Italy

Alexius Counters Bohemond's Slanders

Bohemond Returns to Byzantium

Alexius Plots with Forged Non-Letters

A Treaty with Bohemond

Sources

1100 - 1300 CE  

Chu Hsi 

Introduction

The Rule of Existence

Law, Nature and Feelings

Good and Evil

The Physical Element

Mind

Perfecting the Mind

Preserving the Mind

Love

Love and Righteousness

Wisdom

Solicitude, Sincerity, Seriousness

Inward and Outward Conduct

Sources

Kamo no Chomei

Introduction

Transitory Man and His Dwellings

Gale and Fire Storm

Political Upheaval

Death from Famine

Destruction by Earthquake

The Move Towards Tranquility

The Ten Foot Hut

Contemplation of Scenery

Poetry and Music

Enjoying Simple Company

Unwearying Beauty

A House for My Own Needs

Rely On Your Own Feet

Achieving a Mind at Rest

Source

Sa'di 

Introduction

The Rose Garden

Purgatory May Be Paradise

The Wrestler

King and Peasant

A Poet’s Wit The Unmelodious

Parrot and Crow

Laila and Majnun

May and January

Father and Son

Schoolmasters

Experience

Sayings

Source

Ibn Khallikan

Introduction

al Maarri

Jamil

Abu Nuwas Ibn Hani

Zu ‘r-Rumma al-Farazdak

Yakut al-Hamawi

Abu Bakr Ibn Baki

Ibn at-Tathriya

Yakub Ibn Killis

Ibn Sabir al-Manjaniki

Source

Kenko

Introduction

Friendship

Reading and Writing

Fondness for Women

Frugality

Dwellings

Travel

The Past

Mourning

Propriety

Drunkenness

Thought Impressions

Time’s Urgency

Source

1300 - 1450 CE   

Petrarch 

Introduction

The power of poetry

Admiration of mountains

Literature and life

Literary fame

The vanity of his passion

Love follows him everywhere

Counsel to abandon earthly pleasure

On his supposed death.

His lyre is now attuned only to woe

From The Life of Solitude

Sources

Boccaccio 

Introduction

From Avarice to Generosity

Ancient Sparks of Love

Quickness

Rural Beauty

Turning a Woman into a Mare

Pleasing and Pleased by Ladies

Defense of the Decameron

Poetry is a Useful Art

A Definition of Poetry

Boccaccio’s Passion for Poetry

Sources

Hafiz 

Introduction

You Little Turk of Shiraz-Town

Preacher, it is All in Vain

Last Night, as Half Asleep I Dreaming Lay

We are Deep in Love with Solitude

Before You Wander in Love’s Street

On the Death of His Wife

A Grievous Folly Shames My Sixtieth Year

Forget Not, My Heart, Your Ancient Friends

My Heart Aches with Happiness To-night

I Sought the Tavern at the Break of Day

Rejoice My Heart, Before the Springtime Goes

On the Death of His Little Son

Source

Ibn Khaldun

Introduction

Observations on History

Estimating the Size of Armies

The Science of Society

Attributes of Man

Empires have Their Natural Term

Source

Bruni 

Introduction

Learned Women

Importance of Reading

Guidance from the Past

Oratory and Poetry

The Importance of Expression

Epicurean Moral Philosophy

Aristotelean Moral Philosophy

Stoic Moral Philosophy

Virtue as Habit

Fortitude and Temperance

Liberality and Avarice

Good Temper and Affability

Justice

Virtues of the Soul

Intellectual Virtues

Happiness

Sources

Manetti 

Introduction

Pope Innocent III on Man’s Afflictions

Pleasures of External Senses

Intellectual Pleasures

Pleasures Overcome Afflictions 

Frivolous Arguments About Afflictions

Man is Gifted with Rationality

Innocent III’s Ignorance

His Etymological Errors 

His Errors Invalidate His Arguments

Man’s Nakedness The Fruits of Man

The Span of Life

Pleasures of Old Age

Source

Valla

Introduction

The Claim to the Roman Empire

Anomalies in the Behavior of the Emperor Constantine

Anomalies in the Behavior of Pope Sylvester

Lack of Supporting Evidence

Contradiction by Historical Records

Errors in Terminology

Errors of Fact

Source

Appendix: Text of the Donation of Constantine

1450 - 1500 CE  

Erasmus 

Introduction

Friends in Books

When to Escape

Old Learning

The Life of Letters

Panegyrics

Lost Literature

War

Conduct in Life

In Praise of Folly

Folly Speaks

Sources

Machiavelli

Introduction

On Taking Power

On Allies and Subordinates

Qualities for Praise or Blame

Liberality or Miserliness?

Cruelty or Compassion?

Be Feared or Loved?

Keep One’s Word or Not?

Importance of Appearances

Avoid Being Despised and Hated

The Value of Enemies

On Gaining Renown

Choosing Subordinates

Avoiding Flatterers

Living with Chance

Source

Wang Yang-ming 

Introduction

The Unity

Mind and Principles

Investigating Things

Virtue, Harmony, and Morality

Intuitive Faculty

Pride, Humility, Joy

Passion, Desire

Knowledge Implies Practice

The Great Learning

Source

Copernicus

Introduction

The Decision To Publish

The Reason For A New System

The Mobility Of The Earth

The Universe Is Spherical

The Earth Is Spherical

The Motion Of The Heavenly Bodies

Circular Motion Of The Earth

The Position Of The Earth

The Immensity Of The Heavens

The Sun As Stationary

The Planets Circle The Sun

The Symmetry Of The Universe

Summary-The Earth’s Triple Motion

Source

More

Introduction
The Futility of Counseling Kings
Against the Death Penalty for Theft
Alternative Forms of Punishment
Against War
Against Accumulation of Wealth
Against Private Property
Utopia—The Six-hour Working Day
Why Other Nations are not so Productive
Moral Philosophy—Happiness
Concern for the Public Good
Pleasure and Happiness
False Notions of Pleasure
Bodily Pleasures
Pleasures of the Mind
Religious Tolerance
Slaves
Care for Hygiene and Health
Sources

Vives 

Introduction

Our Obligations to the Poor

Regard Another’s Distress as One’s Own

Institutions for the Poor are State Responsibilities

We Must Make an Survey of the Poor

Provide Work for the Able Poor

The Poor Should have a Trade

Even the Dissipated Should be Given Food

Craftsmen Should be Trained to Run Workshops

Ensure Existing Institutions are not Corrupt

Care of the Insane

Prevent Misuse of Funds for the Poor

Advantages Of Relieving Poverty

Act Humanly to the Poor

The Nature of Wisdom

Necessities are Few

Love All Men

On Education

Sources

Rabelais

Introduction

In Praise of Debtors and Borrowers

Further Praise of Borrowers and Lenders

Abhorrence of Debtors and Borrowers

Trial of a Judge Using Dice

Why Law Papers Should be Looked Over

Source

1500 - 1565 CE   

Elizabethan Poets

Introduction

Remembrance

Epigram Written in Prison

The Happy Life

Youth and Age

My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is

Let Not Old Age Disgrace My High Desire

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd

What is our life?

Raleigh To His Son

My Body in the Walls Captived

Affection is Not Love

Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?

They that have Power to Hurt and will Do None

When to the Sessions of Sweet Silent Thought

The Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame

Fain Would I Wed

Tears at the Grave of Sir Albertus Morton

Upon the Death of Sir Albert Morton's Wife

To His Little Child Benjamin, from the Tower

Of The Loss of Time

Sources

Montaigne 

Introduction

Ways of Living

Hoarding

Truth

Education

Friendship

Poetry

Individuality

Glory

The Senses

Conversation

Old Age

Death

Source

Chong Ch'ol

Introduction

To One In Power

To One Out of Power

Warning to Politicians 

Confusion in Government

I’ll Shine My Light on My Love

Thoughts of Him Keep Me Awake 

What Matter if the Snow Flowers Melt?

Aftermath

Inconstancy

Endurance

Parting

Music Inspires

Natural Music

To Be Born a Woman

Raindrops

Clouds

Rustic Clothes

Cooperation

Seize the Day

Sources

Cervantes

Introduction

Affront Versus Injury

Beard Washing

Government

Justice

Personal Conduct

Proverbs

Judgment in Business

Limits of Punishment

Mercy Before Rigor

Source

Shakespeare

Introduction

Honor Among Thieves

Knightly Honor

How Many hast Thou Killed Today?

Can Honor Set a Leg?

The Peppered Ragamuffins

The Better Part of Valor is Discretion

The King’s Brothers, Friends, and Countrymen

The Honor of Kings

The Fewer, the Greater Share of Honor

Envious and Calumniating Time

The Honor of Quarreling Over Nothing

Source

Bacon

Introduction

Raise Human Knowledge

Idols and False Notions

Corruption by Preconceived Fancies

Degeneration Due to Credulity

Corruption by Abstraction, Superstition, and Theology

Need for Mature Suspension of Judgment

The Ultimate End of Knowledge

Dignity of Knowledge

The Need to Assist the Mind

Renewal of Science

Defects of Syllogistic Logic

Induction

Seeking a Foundation for Science

Help for the Senses

Indications for the Direction for Experiments

Deficiencies in Knowledge to be Remedied

The Art of Discourse

Death

Sources

Galileo

Introduction

The Fate of Copernicus

The Telescope

Astronomical Discoveries

Experiment and Demonstration

Life on the Moon

Senses and Language

Inquisition and Abjuration

Exile in Siena

Dynamics

Final Observations

Source