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Often appears with: justice as a virtue · fate, destiny, and necessity · will, choice, and freedom · reason and the intellect · education and the training of the young · religious persecution and toleration · perception and the senses · marriage and betrothal · language, naming, and meaning · custom and the manners of a people · sin, guilt, and repentance · pleasure, pain, and the good life
Usually: argument (831) · detachment (775) · curiosity (415) · narrative (414) · skepticism (291) · reflection (262) · temptation (231) · exhortation (231) · wonder (229) · lament (197)
“Pity is a rebel passion. Its hand is against the strong, against the organised force of society, against conventional sanctions and accepted Gods.” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · insight
“Would ye be wise, ye Cities, fly from war! Yet if war come, there is a crown in death For her that striveth well and perisheth Unstained: to die in evil were the stain!” Euripides, The Trojan women of Euripides · precept
“There is no such thing as an independently existing trajectory (lit. “path-curve”), but only a trajectory relative to a particular body of reference.” Albert Einstein, Relativity: The Special and General Theory · observation
“The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” John Milton, Paradise Lost · insight
“Stand fast; to stand or fall / Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.” John Milton, Paradise Lost · precept
“O fair foundation laid whereon to build Their ruin! hence I will excite their minds With more desire to know, and to reject Envious commands, invented with design To keep them low, whom knowledge might exalt Equal with Gods: aspiring to be such, They taste and die:” John Milton, Paradise Lost · vivid
“A witness that of ills whate’er befall Mortals’ unwisdom is the worst of all.” Sophocles, Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Col · precept
“Races of mortal man Whose life is but a span, I count ye but the shadow of a shade!” Sophocles, Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Col · observation
“Apollo, friend, Apollo, he it was That brought these ills to pass; But the right hand that dealt the blow Was mine, none other.” Sophocles, Plays of Sophocles: Oedipus the King; Oedipus at Col · insight
“Having emerged from the poverty and obscurity in which I was born and bred, to a state of affluence and some degree of reputation in the world, and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, which with the blessing of God so well succeeded, my posterity may like to know.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · insight
“Thus I corrected that great erratum as well as I could.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · insight
“Here will I hold. If there's a power above us (And that there is, all nature cries aloud Thro' all her works), He must delight in virtue; And that which he delights in must be happy.” Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin · precept
The passage commands believers to avoid wrangling over God’s food rules and to abandon wickedness, explains that misguidance comes from following false notions and Satan, and urges reverence for God’s guidance and justice.
revile Him. Thus have we planned out their actions for every people; then shall they return to their Lord, and He will declare to them what those actions have been. With their most solemn oath have they sworn by God, that if a sign come unto them they will certainly believe it; SAY: Signs are in the power of God alone; and He teacheth you not thereby, only because when they were wrought, ye did not believe.31 And w…
It continues with the author’s psychological explanation of Muhammad’s convictions and hallucination claims, then quotes Qur’anic material about Muhammad’s conduct, wives and penitence, protection by God and angels, and warnings to believers and hypocrites.
but if ye conspire against the Prophet, then know that God is his Protector, and Gabriel, and every just man among the faithful; and the angels are his helpers besides. "Haply if he put you both away, his Lord will give him in exchange other wives better than you, Muslims, believers, devout, penitent, obedient, observant of fasting, both known of men and virgins." O Believers! save yourselves and your families from…
Pepys orders his velvet cloak production stopped as the Queen worsens, then records recovery and the physician Francis Prujeon’s celebrated treatment.
22nd. This morning, hearing that the Queene grows worse again, I sent to stop the making of my velvet cloak, till I see whether she lives or dies. 23rd. The Queene slept pretty well last night, but her fever continues upon her still. It seems she hath never a Portuguese doctor here. 24th. The Queene is in a good way of recovery; and Sir Francis Pridgeon, [Vertue (according to Walpole) had seen a portrait of Dr. …
Pepys records household and personal notes during the war’s pressures, including entries on his family ages, carnal remedies (charms) for stanching blood and cramps, and observations about frost and London entertainment.
a great arch, and is gone quite to a new place in the heavens than it was before: but I hope in a clearer night something more will be seen. 28th. To Sir W. Pen's to his Lady, [Margaret, daughter of John Jasper, a merchant at Rotterdam.] who is a well-looked, fat, short, old Dutch woman; but one that hath been heretofore pretty handsome, and is I believe very discreet, and hath more wit than her husband. 31st. P…
On the Queen’s birthday, Pepys attends court dancing at the ball, describes the King and royal guests’ rich attire and dances, and later hears scientific optimism about a blood-transfer experiment in which one dog’s blood is used to help another.
to confess his fault, and ask pardon for it, as he did also to my Lord Buckingham, for saying that something was not truth that my Lord Buckingham had said. 20th. To church, it being thanksgiving-day for the cessation of the plague; but, Lord! how the town do say that it is hastened before the plague is quite over, there being some people still ill of it, but only to get ground of plays to be publickly acted, which…
Pepys relays domestic and political gossip: Mrs Turner says William Penn has become a Quaker again and appears melancholy, attributing his conduct to his father’s hypocrisy and describing him as atheist.
no company, nor comes into any which is a pleasant thing, after his being abroad so long, and his father such a hypocritical rogue, and at this time an atheist. 30th. Sir G. Carteret and I alone did talk of the ruinous condition we are in, the King being going to put out of the Council so many able men; such as my Lord Anglesy, Ashly, Hollis, Secretary Morrice (to bring in Mr. Trevor, [John Trevor, knighted by Char…
In winter Athens holds a public funeral for the first war dead, laying bones out in tents by tribe, using cypress coffins and a bier for the missing, and Pericles delivers the introductory remarks of his funeral oration.
Cranian territory, and losing some men by the treachery of the Cranians, who fell suddenly upon them after having agreed to treat, put to sea somewhat hurriedly and returned home. In the same winter the Athenians gave a funeral at the public cost to those who had first fallen in this war. It was a custom of their ancestors, and the manner of it is as follows. Three days before the ceremony, the bones of the dead are…
Brasidas urges his Peloponnesian troops during the retreat, arguing that their courage does not depend on allies or numbers, and that barbarians’ frightening appearance will fade when they face organized resistance.
the retreat and beat off the most forward of their assailants, Meanwhile, before the enemy approached, he sought to sustain the courage of his soldiers with the following hasty exhortation: “Peloponnesians, if I did not suspect you of being dismayed at being left alone to sustain the attack of a numerous and barbarian enemy, I should just have said a few words to you as usual without further explanation. As it is, i…
Ulysses notices the neglected hunting dog Argos, whose loyalty and recognition confirm Ulysses’ presence before the dog dies; then Telemachus has Ulysses beg among the suitors at the household threshold.
say, therefore—and it shall surely be—if he goes near Ulysses’ house he will get his head broken by the stools they will fling at him, till they turn him out.” On this, as he passed, he gave Ulysses a kick on the hip out of pure wantonness, but Ulysses stood firm, and did not budge from the path. For a moment he doubted whether or no to fly at Melanthius and kill him with his staff, or fling him to the ground and be…
After Minerva puts Penelope into a sweet sleep and restores her beauty, Penelope comes down veiled among the suitors, who lust for her, while she rebukes Telemachus and Telemachus curses the wooers; Eurymachus praises her and offers flattering speeches.
them. They must be with me when I am in the cloister; I am not going among the men alone; it would not be proper for me to do so.” On this the old woman150 went out of the room to bid the maids go to their mistress. In the meantime Minerva bethought her of another matter, and sent Penelope off into a sweet slumber; so she lay down on her couch and her limbs became heavy with sleep. Then the goddess shed grace and be…
Penelope returns by firelight, orders the tables cleared and the embers managed, and confronts the maid Melantho’s taunts while Ulysses sits nearby planning and responding calmly.
he lay in his bed till morning, while Ulysses was left in the cloister pondering on the means whereby with Minerva’s help he might be able to kill the suitors. Then Penelope came down from her room looking like Venus or Diana, and they set her a seat inlaid with scrolls of silver and ivory near the fire in her accustomed place. It had been made by Icmalius and had a footstool all in one piece with the seat itself; a…
Penelope questions the disguised Ulysses about his identity and parents, and he praises her fame while refusing to give his real lineage and warning against dwelling on grief.
and as soon as Ulysses had sat down Penelope began by saying, “Stranger, I shall first ask you who and whence are you? Tell me of your town and parents.” “Madam,” answered Ulysses, “who on the face of the whole earth can dare to chide with you? Your fame reaches the firmament of heaven itself; you are like some blameless king, who upholds righteousness, as the monarch over a great and valiant nation: the earth yield…
Ulysses details clothing and identifying features of Odysseus—purple mantle, gold brooch with a dog-and-fawn design, and a distinctive shirt—then Penelope reveals she provided those items and laments Troy.
his men, as you say you did. Tell me, then, how he was dressed, what kind of a man he was to look at, and so also with his companions.” “Madam,” answered Ulysses, “it is such a long time ago that I can hardly say. Twenty years are come and gone since he left my home, and went elsewhither; but I will tell you as well as I can recollect. Ulysses wore a mantle of purple wool, double lined, and it was fastened by a gold…
After Ulysses cannot sleep, Minerva comforts him; Penelope prays to Diana and discusses signs from heaven as Eumaeus and Philoetius arrive, the suitors dine, and Theoclymenus foretells disaster.
ULYSSES CANNOT SLEEP—PENELOPE’S PRAYER TO DIANA—THE TWO SIGNS FROM HEAVEN—EUMAEUS AND PHILOETIUS ARRIVE—THE SUITORS DINE—CTESIPPUS THROWS AN OX’S FOOT AT ULYSSES—THEOCLYMENUS FORETELLS DISASTER AND LEAVES THE HOUSE. Ulysses slept in the cloister upon an undressed bullock’s hide, on the top of which he threw several skins of the sheep the suitors had eaten, and Eurynome156 threw a cloak over him after he had laid him…
Agamemnon recognizes Amphimedon and asks how the Ithacan suitors died, and Amphimedon explains that Penelope secretly delayed their wedding by weaving a burial shroud for Laertes for years before Odysseus’ return.
join us with his ships against Troy? It was a whole month ere we could resume our voyage, for we had hard work to persuade Ulysses to come with us.” And the ghost of Amphimedon answered, “Agamemnon, son of Atreus, king of men, I remember everything that you have said, and will tell you fully and accurately about the way in which our end was brought about. Ulysses had been long gone, and we were courting his wife, wh…
Odysseus proves himself by describing a scar and the exact number of trees Laertes gave him, then Minerva helps Laertes regain a youthful, imposing appearance as the family gathers to eat and greet him.
“If you really are my son Ulysses,” replied Laertes, “and have come back again, you must give me such manifest proof of your identity as shall convince me.” “First observe this scar,” answered Ulysses, “which I got from a boar’s tusk when I was hunting on Mt. Parnassus. You and my mother had sent me to Autolycus, my mother’s father, to receive the presents which when he was over here he had promised to give me. Furt…
Telemachus asks Athene to stay for a bath and gift, promises she will be given something to carry home, and then returns to the wooers as Phemius sings; Penelope interrupts, urging him to stop a sorrowful song about the Achaeans’ pitiful return.
go down to the swift ship and to my men, who methinks chafe much at tarrying for me; and do thou thyself take heed and give ear unto my words.” Then wise Telemachus answered her, saying: “Sir, verily thou speakest these things out of a friendly heart, as a father to his son, and never will I forget them. But now I pray thee abide here, though eager to be gone, to the end that after thou hast bathed and had all thy h…
Helen recognizes Telemachus as Odysseus’s son by likeness, recounts Odysseus’s Trojans disguise and her oath, while Menelaus and Peisistratus explain Telemachus’s mourning and explain his father’s absence.
whether he be alive or dead. Yea methinks they lament him, even that old Laertes and the constant Penelope and Telemachus, whom he left a child new-born in his house.” So spake he, and in the heart of Telemachus he stirred a yearning to lament his father; and at his father’s name he let a tear fall from his eyelids to the ground, and held up his purple mantle with both his hands before his eyes. And Menelaus marked …
Penelope learns from Medon that the wooers plan to murder Telemachus on his homeward voyage, collapses in grief, and prays to Athene while the narrative emphasizes her fear for her son’s survival.
set on slaying Telemachus with the edge of the sword on his homeward way; for he is gone to fair Pylos and goodly Lacedaemon, to seek tidings of his father.” So spake he, but her knees were loosened where she stood, and her heart melted within her, and long time was she speechless, and lo, her eyes were filled with tears and the voice of her utterance was stayed. And at the last she answered him and said: “Henchman…
Calypso urges Odysseus to remain with her and delay returning home, but he answers that he longs for mortal Penelope and will endure whatever gods impose, then they spend the night together.
put forth their hands upon the good cheer set before them. But after they had taken their fill of meat and drink, Calypso, the fair goddess, spake first and said: “Son of Laertes, of the seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many devices, so it is indeed thy wish to get thee home to thine own dear country even in this hour? Good fortune go with thee even so! Yet didst thou know in thine heart what a measure of suffering thou ar…
Recovering, Odysseus decides between watching the river or hiding in woods, chooses concealment under twin wild-olive bushes, gathers leaves for a bed, and receives sleep from Athene.
thickets, though perchance the cold and weariness leave hold of me, and sweet sleep may come over me, I fear lest of wild beasts I become the spoil and prey.” So as he thought thereon this seemed to him the better way. He went up to the wood, and found it nigh the water in a place of wide prospect. So he crept beneath twin bushes that grew from one stem, both olive trees, one of them wild olive. Through these the fo…
Odysseus hides his nakedness after emerging from hiding, moves toward Nausicaa and her attendants, and she stands her ground while he decides how to approach and request help.
hill-tops, and the river-springs, and the grassy water meadows! It must be, methinks, that I am near men of human speech. Go to, I myself will make trial and see.” Therewith the goodly Odysseus crept out from under the coppice, having broken with his strong hand a leafy bough from the thick wood, to hold athwart his body, that it might hide his nakedness withal. And forth he sallied like a lion mountain-bred, trusti…
Odysseus tells Achilles about Neoptolemus’s heroism at Troy, including his role in the fighting and the wooden horse episode, while other spirits react and Ajax remains apart in anger over Achilles’ armor.
Argives gave thee one honour with the gods, and now thou art a great prince here among the dead. Wherefore let not thy death be any grief to thee, Achilles.’ “Even so I spake, and he straightway answered me, and said: ‘Nay, speak not comfortably to me of death, oh great Odysseus. Rather would I live on ground[20] as the hireling of another, with a landless man who had no great livelihood, than bear sway among all th…
Darwin argues that plants with more pollen and larger anthers can be naturally selected, leading to regular insect-mediated pollen transfer and eventually greater separation of male and female sex functions in plants.
were destroyed, it might still be a great gain to the plant; and those individuals which produced more and more pollen, and had larger and larger anthers, would be selected. When our plant, by this process of the continued preservation or natural selection of more and more attractive flowers, had been rendered highly attractive to insects, they would, unintentionally on their part, regularly carry pollen from flower…
He claims that newer species must be “higher” in natural selection because each new species gains an advantage, discusses why progress is hard to test, and connects embryo-development theories to his mechanism.
we assuredly do find. We find, in short, such evidence of the slow and scarcely sensible mutation of specific forms, as we have a just right to expect to find. *On the state of Development of Ancient Forms*.—There has been much discussion whether recent forms are more highly developed than ancient. I will not here enter on this subject, for naturalists have not as yet defined to each other’s satisfaction what is mea…
Darwin addresses whether species arose from one pair or from many, claiming that self-interbreeding keeps populations nearly uniform during gradual change, unlike isolated groups that would be descended from successive single parent pairs.
come into existence coincident both in space and time with a pre-existing closely allied species.” And I now know from correspondence, that this coincidence he attributes to generation with modification. The previous remarks on “single and multiple centres of creation” do not directly bear on another allied question,—namely whether all the individuals of the same species have descended from a single pair, or single …
Du Bois describes how white society treats him as a “problem,” recounts his childhood moment of realizing he was different, and develops the idea of “double-consciousness” as a split between being American and being Negro.
ARTHUR SYMONS. Between me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: unasked by some through feelings of delicacy; by others through the difficulty of rightly framing it. All, nevertheless, flutter round it. They approach me in a half-hesitant sort of way, eye me curiously or compassionately, and then, instead of saying directly, How does it feel to be a problem? they say, I know an excellent colored man…
He explains the shared but uneven consciousness among his rural Black “world,” shaped by poverty and the “Veil,” then recounts how Josie, Jim, and Ben respond differently as youth meets barriers of caste and life.
and wonder, and make the weekly sacrifice with frenzied priest at the altar of the “old-time religion.” Then the soft melody and mighty cadences of Negro song fluttered and thundered. I have called my tiny community a world, and so its isolation made it; and yet there was among us but a half-awakened common consciousness, sprung from common joy and grief, at burial, birth, or wedding; from a common hardship in pover…
Du Bois narrates a dark Sunday night encounter with a Southern Negro revival near a small village, depicting intense emotion, the distinctive roles of the preacher, music, and shouting frenzy.
FIONA MACLEOD. It was out in the country, far from home, far from my foster home, on a dark Sunday night. The road wandered from our rambling log-house up the stony bed of a creek, past wheat and corn, until we could hear dimly across the fields a rhythmic cadence of song,—soft, thrilling, powerful, that swelled and died sorrowfully in our ears. I was a country schoolteacher then, fresh from the East, and had never …
In Pharaoh’s prison, Joseph interprets the dreams of the chief butler and chief baker: the butler is restored after three days and the baker is executed; the butler later forgets him.
And it chanced after this, that the chief butler of the king of Egypt and his chief baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharao was angry with them and put them in ward in his chief marshal's house: even in the prison where Ioseph was bound. And the chief marshal gave Ioseph a charge with them, and he served them. And they continued a season in ward. And they dreamed either of them in one night: both …
Jacob calls his sons to predict their “last days,” blessing each tribe with characteristic imagery, commissions burial in Canaan’s Machpelah cave, then dies and is gathered to his people.
And Iacob called for his sons and said: come together, that I may tell you what shall happen you in the last days. Gather you together and hear ye sons of Iacob, and hearken unto Israel your father. Ruben, thou art mine eldest son, my might and the beginning of my strength, chief in receiving and chief in power. As unstable as water wast thou: thou shalt therefore not be the chiefest, for thou wentest up upon thy fat…
God promises meat for a month and challenges Moses’s doubts, then spreads Moses’s spirit to seventy elders, adds Eldad and Medad prophesying in the camp, brings quails, and condemns the craving as the people bury the dead at Kibroth-hattaavah (Graves of lust).
therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye shall eat: Ye shall not eat one day only either two or five days, either ten or twenty days: but even a month long, and until it come out at the nostrils of you, that ye be ready to parbreak: because that ye have cast the LORD aside which is among you, and have wept before him saying: why came we out of Egypt. And Moses said: six hundred thousand footmen are there of the…
The curses intensify into siege desperation, describing tender people grieving at cannibalistic necessity and further plagues, scattering among nations, fear day and night, and loss of trust in life.
so that it shall grieve the man that is tender and exceeding delicate among you, to look on his brother and upon his wife that lieth in his bosom and on the remnant of his children, which he hath yet left, for fear of giving unto any of them of the flesh of his children, which he eateth, because he hath nought left him in that straitness and siege wherewith thine enemy shall besiege thee in all thy cities. Yea and th…
Jesus exorcises a man with a foul spirit in the synagogue, heals Simon’s mother-in-law, casts out demons, travels to preach in Galilee, and continues healing as his fame spreads.
them: and came into Capernaum a city of Galile, and there taught them on the saboth days. And they were astonied at his doctrine: for his preaching was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a foul spirit within him, and cried with a loud voice, saying: let me alone, what hast thou to do with us, thou Iesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee what thou art, thou art the holy ma…
Jesus warns of coming hostility and executions misbelieving they serve God, explains the Holy Spirit’s role in rebuking sin and leading into truth, then speaks of sorrow turning to joy.
you: the servant is not greater than the lord. If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you. If they have kept my saying, so will they keep yours. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they have not known him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they should have no sin: but now have they nothing to cloak their sin with all. He that hateth me, hateth my fath…
Paul recounts suffering in detail and the escape from Damascus, then turns to visions and a “messenger of Satan” to prevent self-exaltation, ending with admonitions to examine themselves.
angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers fashion themselves as though they were the ministers of righteousness: whose end shall be according to their deeds. I say again lest any man think that I am foolish: or else even now take me as a fool, that I may boast myself a little. That I speak, I speak it not after the ways of the lord: but as it were foolishly, while we are now come to boasti…
Paul exhorts restoration of those who fall, teaching sowing and reaping between flesh and Spirit, and closes by defending the cross of Christ, writing a large letter by his own hand, and sending greetings.
is come we shall reap without weariness. While we have therefore time let us do good unto all men, and specially, unto them which are of the household of faith. Behold how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. As many as desire with utward appearance to please carnally, they constrain you to be circumcised, only because they would not suffer persecution with the cross of Christ. For they them se…
Paul in Colossians warns against philosophy and deceitful vanity, describes believers’ circumcision and resurrection through Christ, rejects disputes about food and holy days, and urges searching for things above rather than earthly desires.
therefore received Christ Iesu the lord, even so walk rooted and built in him, and steadfast in the faith, as ye have learned: and therein be plenteous in giving thanks. Beware lest any man come and spoil you thorow philosophy and deceitful vanity, thorow the traditions of men, and ordinances after the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are full in him, wh…
The text transitions to “The pistel of S. Iames” addressed to the twelve tribes, teaching joy in trials, asking God for wisdom in faith, and warning that temptation comes from one’s own desires.
Happy is the man that endureth in temptation, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life, which the lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God: for God tempteth not unto evil: he tempteth no man: But every man is tempted drawn away, and enticed of his own concupiscence. Then when lust hath conceived, she bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is fi…
Nero explains to his soldiers that the seemingly daring plan is safe because joining forces will tip the balance, then describes the public’s vows, prayers, and the disciplined, continuous march toward the second consul’s camp.
fallacious terms of peace." Under the dictation of fear, which always puts the worst construction upon things, they magnified all the advantages which the enemy possessed, and undervalued their own. 45. When Nero had got such a distance from the enemy that his plan might be disclosed without danger, he briefly addressed his soldiers, observing, that "there never was a measure adopted by any general which was in appe…
Nero returns from the battle at speed and Rome reacts with prayers, frantic crowds, and letters from commanders, while senators and citizens wait for confirmed news of the enemy’s defeat.
one squadron of horse were sent against them they might be all destroyed, he replied, "Let some survive to bear the news of the enemy's losses and of our valour." 50. Nero set out on the night following the battle, and marching at a more rapid rate than when he came, arrived at his camp before the enemy on the sixth day. As he was not preceded by a messenger, fewer people attended him on the march; but the joy felt …
At Pergamus and Ephesus, Villius seeks Hannibal’s intentions; Hannibal praises Alexander and Pyrrhus, then places himself second or first, a Punic flattery that impresses Scipio and shapes subsequent council decisions for war.
or, on refusal, be compelled to submission by force of arms. Therefore, with all his influence, and every argument which he could devise, he urged the Romans to a war. 14. Sulpicius, falling sick, staid at Pergamus. Villius, on hearing that the king was carrying on war in Pisidia, went on to Ephesus, and, during a few days that he halted in that city, took pains to procure frequent interviews with Hannibal, who happ…
At Apamea, negotiations between Villius and Antiochus are interrupted by news of Antiochus’s son’s death; the court mourns and suspects poisoning, then Antiochus retreats, consulting his favorite Minio to manage Roman envoys.
with Punic dexterity, and conveying an unexpected kind of flattery, was highly grateful to Scipio, as it set him apart from the crowd of commanders, as one of incomparable eminence. 15. From Ephesus, Villius proceeded to Apamea, whither Antiochus, on hearing of the coming of the Roman delegates, came to meet him. In this congress, at Apamea, the debates were similar to those which passed at Rome, between Quinctius a…
Hamilton explains that societies often disregard rigid rules when necessity demands flexibility, using a Spartan example about limiting the admiralship and concluding that unenforceable restrictions erode reverence for the constitution.
are likely to be respected, even by its own constituents. And it teaches us, in addition to the rest, how unequal parchment provisions are to a struggle with public necessity. It was a fundamental maxim of the Lacedaemonian commonwealth, that the post of admiral should not be conferred twice on the same person. The Peloponnesian confederates, having suffered a severe defeat at sea from the Athenians, demanded Lysand…
Hamilton illustrates how states circumvent strict military rules through the Lacedaemonian use of Lysander, warning that ‘parchment’ constraints fail when public necessity demands otherwise.
are likely to be respected, even by its own constituents. And it teaches us, in addition to the rest, how unequal parchment provisions are to a struggle with public necessity. It was a fundamental maxim of the Lacedaemonian commonwealth, that the post of admiral should not be conferred twice on the same person. The Peloponnesian confederates, having suffered a severe defeat at sea from the Athenians, demanded Lysand…
Aeneas and Acestes arm in Entellus’s gauntlets for the gauntlet fight, where Entellus’s age makes him slow and Dares’s tactics help him narrowly avoid decisive blows.
Aeneas and Acestes join In his request, these gauntlets I resign; Let us with equal arms perform the fight, And let him leave to fear, since I resign my right.” This said, Entellus for the strife prepares; Stripp’d of his quilted coat, his body bares; Compos’d of mighty bones and brawn he stands, A goodly tow’ring object on the sands. Then just Aeneas equal arms supplied, Which round th…
Continuing the translated Qur’anic material (within Abraham/Hud context and general preaching), it warns of the Day of Judgment, Satan’s deception, the fate of the wicked in hell, and the reward for believers in gardens.
To thy call will we make answer; thine Apostles will we follow." "Did ye not once swear that no change should befal you? Yet ye dwelt in the dwellings of those6 who were the authors of their undoing7 and it was made plain to you how we had dealt with them; and we held them up to you as examples. They plotted their plots: but God could master their plots, even though their plots had been so powerful as to move the mo…
After the recurring translator commentary, the text describes Paradise as an inherited reward, angels praising God, and then includes an extended apparatus of notes that references the Sura’s placement and interpretive remarks.
when they reach it, its gates shall be opened, and its keepers shall say to them, "All hail! virtuous have ye been: enter then in, to abide herein for ever." And they shall say, "Praise be to God, who hath made good to us His promise, and hath given to us the earth as our heritage, that we may dwell in Paradise wherever we please!" And goodly is the reward of those who travailed virtuously. And thou shalt see the A…
After the repeated translator framing, the Quranic text argues that punishment is fixed and will come suddenly, contrasts worldly life with the life to come, urges sincerity toward God, and explains that many reject signs despite evidence.
He knoweth all that is in the Heavens and the Earth, and they who believe in vain things13 and disbelieve in God–these shall be the lost ones. They will challenge thee to hasten the punishment: but had there not been a season fixed for it, that punishment had already come upon them. But it shall overtake them suddenly when they look not for it. They will challenge thee to hasten the punishment: but verily Hell shal…
It explains that God controls signs and hearts, describes Satanic/false suggestions leading people to disbelief, commands eating what God’s name is pronounced, forbids injustice and worship of idols, and treats unbelievers as spiritually blinded.
revile Him. Thus have we planned out their actions for every people; then shall they return to their Lord, and He will declare to them what those actions have been. With their most solemn oath have they sworn by God, that if a sign come unto them they will certainly believe it; SAY: Signs are in the power of God alone; and He teacheth you not thereby, only because when they were wrought, ye did not believe.31 And w…
A short Qur’anic section warns of resurrection-denial, labels a day as “mutual deceit,” commands obedience to God and the apostle, and warns that wives and children can be enemies and a trial for wealth.
be raised from the dead. SAY: Yea, by my Lord, ye shall surely be raised; then shall ye surely be told of your deeds! And easy is this for God. Believe then in God and his apostle and in the light which we have sent down; for God is fully aware of all ye do. The day when He shall gather you together for the day of mutual gathering, will be the day of MUTUAL DECEIT,2 and whoso shall have believed in God and done wha…
It narrates the fight around Uhud and the believers’ response, including slumber, internal doubt, Satan’s role in retreat, forgiveness and consultation in war, and accountability on the resurrection day.
for the next.47 Then, in order to make trial of you, He turned you to flight from them,–yet hath He now forgiven you; for all-bounteous is God to the faithful– When ye came up the height48 and took no heed of any one, while the Prophet in your rear was calling you to the fight! God hath rewarded you with trouble upon trouble, that ye might learn not to be chagrined at your loss of booty, or at what befel you! God is…
Equiano portrays daily life as simple: plain food, handwashing, libations to spirits, palm wine as non-intoxicating, and perfumes made from fragrant wood and earth, all in a climate without heavy luxury.
also manufacture earthen vessels, of which we have many kinds. Among the rest tobacco pipes, made after the same fashion, and used in the same manner, as those in Turkey[C]. Our manner of living is entirely plain; for as yet the natives are unacquainted with those refinements in cookery which debauch the taste: bullocks, goats, and poultry, supply the greatest part of their food. These constitute likewise the princi…
Equiano describes his efforts to escape toward his father’s home after learning sun-rise direction, then explains how an accident killing chickens leads to his hiding in the bushes and being searched.
and I had observed that my father's house was towards the rising of the sun. I therefore determined to seize the first opportunity of making my escape, and to shape my course for that quarter; for I was quite oppressed and weighed down by grief after my mother and friends; and my love of liberty, ever great, was strengthened by the mortifying circumstance of not daring to eat with the free-born children, although I w…
After hiding through a day, he compares himself to a hunted deer, suffers fear of snakes, collapses at a kitchen and ashes, is discovered, and is spared with only light reprimand before being sold again.
I had before entertained hopes of getting home, and I had determined when it should be dark to make the attempt; but I was now convinced it was fruitless, and I began to consider that, if possibly I could escape all other animals, I could not those of the human kind; and that, not knowing the way, I must perish in the woods. Thus was I like the hunted deer:
Equiano describes repeated dreams of shipwreck, then when the ship strikes rocks he attempts to save everyone—building a patched boat with pump leather, working the oars while others drink and fail to help.
the surfs, we all said we would remain on the dry part of the vessel, and trust to God till daylight appeared, when we should know better what to do. I then advised to get the boat prepared against morning, and some of us began to set about it; but some abandoned all care of the ship and themselves, and fell to drinking. Our boat had a piece out of her bottom near two feet long, and we had no materials to mend her; …
After his conversion, Equiano praises God in prayer, struggles to communicate with fellow sailors, values Bible reading, and narrates texts that comfort him; he later returns to England and hears a sermon by Mr. Romaine.
to pray with fresh ardour; and, in the abyss of thought, I viewed the unconverted people of the world in a very awful state, being without God and without hope. It pleased God to pour out on me the Spirit of prayer and the grace of supplication, so that in loud acclamations I was enabled to praise and glorify his most holy name. When I got out of the cabin, and told some of the people what the Lord had done for me, …
Equiano shifts to verse reflecting on his early convictions—sorrow, guilt, despair, Ethiopian longing, and eventual relief—culminating in salvation “by Christ alone.”
in my heart to the God of all my mercies. Now my whole wish was to be dissolved, and to be with Christ--but, alas! I must wait mine appointed time. * * * * * MISCELLANEOUS VERSES, or Reflections on the State of my mind during my first Convictions; of the Necessity of believing the Truth, and experiencing the inestimable Benefits of Christianity. Well may I say my life has been …
Equiano reflects on surviving Baker’s rage and preserves his life through patience and scripture, expressing the idea that uncontrolled anger is like an unbridled horse.
I was enabled to do. I found him a present help in the time of need, and the captain's fury began to subside as the night approached: but I found, "That he who cannot stem his anger's tide Doth a wild horse without a bridle ride."
Equiano continues his economic case for abolition, linking African agriculture to British textile supplies, ends the narrative, and asks readers to suspend censure while framing his life as morally instructive.
The manufacturers of this country must and will, in the nature and reason of things, have a full and constant employ by supplying the African markets. Population, the bowels and surface of Africa, abound in valuable and useful returns; the hidden treasures of centuries will be brought to light and into circulation. Industry, enterprize, and mining, will have their full scope, proportionably as they civilize. In a wo…