In the second lecture Musonius explains that though everyone is naturally disposed to live without error and has the capacity to be virtuous, someone who has not actually learned the skill of virtuous living cannot be expected to live without error any more than someone who is not a trained doctor, musician, or helmsman could be expected to practice those skills without error.
In the third lecture Musonius contends that women should study philosophy because they need the same virtues as men. In lecture four he argues that daughters ought to get the same education as sons since there is only one type of human virtue. In the fifth lecture Musonius argues that practice is more important than theory because the former more effectively leads us to action than the latter.
Lecture six contains his argument that since a human being is made of body and soul, he should train both, but the latter demands greater attention.
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In lecture seven Musonius argues that since we acquire all good things by pain, the person who refuses to endure pain all but condemns himself to being worthy of nothing good. The eighth lecture recounts the advice Musonius offered to a visiting Syrian king. A king must possess self-control, frugality, modesty, courage, wisdom, magnanimity, the ability to prevail in speech over others, the ability to endure pain, and must be free of error.
Philosophy, Musonius avers, is the only art that provides all such virtues. To show his gratitude the king offered Musonius anything he wanted, to which the Stoic teacher asked only that the king adhere to the principles set forth. To a person complaining about his exile Musonius explains why exile is no evil.
After all, a philosopher scorns even death! Then Musonius defends the position that farming is a suitable occupation for a philosopher and no obstacle to learning or teaching essential lessons. A group of lectures are on sexual matters, marriage, and family. Musonius insists that only those sexual acts aimed at procreation within marriage are right.
He argues that there must be companionship and mutual care of husband and wife in marriage since its chief end is to live together and have children. Spouses should share everything in common. Since marriage is obviously in accordance with nature, Musonius rejects the objection that being married gets in the way of studying philosophy. Indeed, he asserts that anyone who deprives people of marriage destroys family, city, and the entire human race. Having many children is beneficial and profitable for cities while having few or none is harmful.
The beard should not be shaved, since it is a protection provided to us by nature. For the record, I shave and keep my hair very short. The last point has an interesting historical sidebar.
- Musonius Rufus: Lectures and Sayings.
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Hadrian, before wearing the purple, heard Epictetus. That said, Cassius Dio claims it was to hide facial scars, that Hadrian did this. Even if true to some degree, I suspect, if not specifically Stoicism, some sort of Hellenophilia was an additional cause. Like Liked by 1 person. I like these reminders about the importance of practical wisdom and action.
But the Stoics also insisted from the very beginning that they were after genuine wisdom as well — by which I suppose they were referring to sophia rather than phronesis. They wanted to get the truth, which means taking the arguments all the way down to the ground in theoretical knowledge. Like Liked by 3 people. Bravo Massimo for highlighting an oft-forgotten Stoic especially since he is arguably the greatest Stoic in practice. Like Liked by 2 people.
Early Japanese scholars wrote in Chinese. May 01, George rated it liked it Recommends it for: I found out about Musonius Rufus through William B. I found this version and wasn't disappointed at all. So, first of all, who was Rufus? A 1st century AD Roman philosopher, teaching Stoicism in Rome, who was three times exiled under the reign of autocratic emperors for his reasonable teachings and I found out about Musonius Rufus through William B.
A 1st century AD Roman philosopher, teaching Stoicism in Rome, who was three times exiled under the reign of autocratic emperors for his reasonable teachings and philosophy in troubled times. The most important time seems to be in 65AD, in the era of Nero, when he was sent to the barren Aegean island of Gyarus infamous for its desolate qualities and seemed to have his Stoicism thoroughly put to the test. He returned under Galba in about 68AD, apparently and continued teaching Roman students that included the soon-to-be famous Epictetus - who arguably went on to render more fame than Rufus himself.
The whole biography of his life that has been to left to us seems blurry and incomplete, unfortunately, but luckily for us some of his teachings remain. And Cynthia King kindly translated them for us! I hadn't read the original texts but was immediately struck by the translator's apparent passion for the subject in trying to assemble as many parts of the puzzle as possible and to fit them into a single edition. The result, on the whole, is great.
This book gave me a deeper understanding of Roman Stoicism and the way that it was taught, and it is a brilliant companion to the Enchiridion and lectures of Epictetus, and The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - invaluable and humane texts that I love. The only negative point is that the edition is very slim. This is no fault of the translator's, though, I assume; I guess the amount of extant material is scarce. That's why I have to give this book only 3 stars. What it lacks for in quantity, though, it makes up for in quality.
- Musonius Rufus | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy!
- Musonius Rufus: Lectures and Sayings.
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- Musonius’ Lectures | How to Be a Stoic.
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Reading this book won't give you a thorough guide to ancient Stoicism but it will add to the knowledge of it that you already would have having read texts by Seneca, Epictetus, Aurelius etc. It would also be a good introduction to the philosophy. As a companion text, however, it is superb. In particular the sections on farming, kings and philosophy, and the education of women are particularly interesting the latter being also really refreshing - women's education is not a modern thought!
There's also a lot more in there to absorb if you read it and re-read it, let it sink into your mind and reasonably try to understand the teacher's ideas. What is also intriguing about Rufus is that he seemed to lecture his students on exact practicalities in life, even so far as talking about what to eat, how hair should be cut, and what furnishings to have. This is practical philosophy that you may not want to adopt, but is interesting nonetheless.
Too much philosophy nowadays is deeply theoretical and lacks the practical focus of ancient masters such as Rufus. Also, at the back, there is a helpful section that features quotations from different philosophers such as his pupil Epictetus. It isn't a large section, but these quotes definitely add to the core teachings of Rufus.
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So, if you're interested in ancient philosophy, and fancy a book to add to your library, you definitely won't go wrong in buying this book. It'll enhance what information you already have garnered about Stoicism and could even offer a gateway to those who know nothing at all. It's also a credit to the translator and editor - Cynthia King - that the copy is even available! Sep 08, Andrew rated it it was ok. Disappointment not with the translation, which was easy to read along with a careful introduction and footnotes, but with the content.
Some of Rufus's arguments didn't make a lot of sense, compared with the rigor of Epictetus or even Marcus Aurelius the latter shared the informal tone of this book. For example, one lecture makes the perfectly good point that if a person is willing to suffer to achieve something harmful or empty - such as wealth, adultery, celebrity, or intoxication - then surel Disappointment not with the translation, which was easy to read along with a careful introduction and footnotes, but with the content. For example, one lecture makes the perfectly good point that if a person is willing to suffer to achieve something harmful or empty - such as wealth, adultery, celebrity, or intoxication - then surely we should be willing to sacrifice to achieve virtue and live the right kind of life.
Lectures - theranchhands.com
So far so good. Stoicism is all about valuing or shunning things based on their real value, not on how popular they are. But then in later lectures, he appeals to social conventions and common behavior to justify his positions.
When asked if it's good to have a large family, he says yes, because who doesn't love to see a mom and dad walking through town with their gaggle of children? Doesn't everyone in town esteem them for having kids? Now, it might really be good to have a large family; and of course it's true that people smile when they see big families; but what kind of stoic reasoning is that? Social convention also esteems fancy clothes, physical beauty, money, and popular dictators - but no stoic including Rufus would endorse those.
The strength and weakness of Rufus's lectures is that they deal with everyday topics in an everyday manner.
Musonius’ Lectures
His advice might be good, but it's too easy to see the holes in his arguments. Feb 26, Timothy Kestrel rated it it was amazing. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in philosophy. Gaius Musonius Rufus is sometimes referred to as "the Roman Socrates. Cynthia King has done a marvelous job in translating Musonius' texts from Greek notes taken from his lectures and preserved by others.
The translator's introduction is also noteworthy. The text is ea I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in philosophy. The text is easy to read and well edited, and the reader gets a very nice overview of what it meant during the Roman times, and still means, to be a practicing Stoic, to overcome our shortcomings and thereby live a good life. Jan 20, Ryan Murdock rated it liked it. That's a shame, because there's a great deal of wisdom contained in this slim volume. Jul 06, Richard Tullberg rated it really liked it Shelves: Short book on practical stoic teachings.
Allot of it is second hand from what I believe was one of his students. Usually starts of with a broad topic followed by a short lecture by Musonius. Only complaint is that it is far to short but what can you do when the records don't exist. Dec 06, Ross Cohen rated it really liked it.
Spare and clearly stated. Oct 17, Nick rated it liked it. A general introduction to stoicism.