Selected Essays of Plutarch, Vol. I. — Context and Discussion

The Role of Hearing and Speech

One of the most striking recurring motifs in the excerpts is the emphasis on hearing as a sense that can both harm and benefit the character. Plutarch cites Theophrastus, who asserts that hearing is 'the most susceptible of all the senses,' capable of causing 'strong emotional disturbance.' He then quotes Xenocrates, who advised that 'ear-guards should be worn by boys more than by athletes,' because words can disfigure character more than blows can disfigure ears. This metaphor is extended with the story of Bias, who sent a tongue as 'the best and the worst' part of a sacrifice, illustrating the dual power of speech. The advice is not to avoid hearing altogether but to ensure that 'right communications' are fostered by philosophy. This focus on auditory education is a specific, recurring detail that distinguishes these essays from more general ethical works.

Coming of Age and the Change of Ruler

Plutarch directly addresses a young man on the threshold of adulthood, arguing that coming of age does not mean 'rejection of rule, but change of ruler.' He contrasts the 'hired or purchased director of conduct' of childhood with a 'divine' substitute—reason. This is not a metaphor for political freedom but for internal self-governance: 'Only those who follow reason deserve to be considered free.' He warns against the misconception that 'absence of restraint is the same thing as freedom,' which in fact makes one a slave to passions. The analogy of naturalized citizens who accept obligations 'with cheerful readiness' is used to encourage the youth to embrace philosophy willingly. This passage shows Plutarch's method of using concrete comparisons to make ethical points accessible.

Translator's Approach and Textual Choices

T. G. Tucker's translation is guided by a principle of fidelity: 'the English version does not seek to be either more formal or more vivacious' than the original. He aims to preserve both 'tone' and 'substance,' and states that no modern version of the Moralia was consulted. The text is based on Bernardakis's Teubner edition, with recourse to Wyttenbach and occasional 'modest emendation' where passages are 'commonly acknowledged to be corrupt.' These emendations are marked with an asterisk and listed in an appendix. Tucker also discusses his approach to spelling Greek proper names, aiming to safeguard pronunciation for readers unfamiliar with Greek (e.g., 'Pheidias' to avoid the 'fiddle' pronunciation). This editorial transparency is a notable feature of the volume.

Readers approaching this volume should expect not a systematic ethical treatise but a series of occasional pieces, each with a specific addressee and occasion. The essays reward attention to Plutarch's use of historical exempla and his recurring concern with the education of the young. Tucker's translation, while early twentieth-century in style, is careful and consistent. The notes on proper names and the appendix on textual emendations provide useful context for those interested in the scholarly apparatus behind the text.

There’s something steadying about Plutarch’s insistence on listening before speaking, that old discipline of waiting. It’s a quiet comfort, like revisiting a familiar walk. Lately I find myself thinking of that same patient attention in the playfulness of another old friend, Wit, Humor, and Shakspeare: Twelve Essays — Story, Setting & Ideas, where cleverness never quite outruns kindness.