Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or. Musonius rufus in 1822 says, haec igitur a reliquis nonnihil diversa videtur. Musonius was widely celebrated for his moral integrity. Musonius rufus by musonius rufus, cynthia arrieuking. The name gaius musonius rufus may not sound familiar, but the work of the foremost stoic of his day, as roman historian tacitus prefers referring to him, will. At a time of renewed interest in stoicism, this collection of musonius rufus s lectures and sayings, beautifully translated by cora e. Entries are grouped by categories and by date most recent on top within each category, page. On the one hand, he was the teacher of epictetus and an adviser to the philosophical opposition to the roman principate, and is thought to have enjoyed unusual intellectual and political influence.
Lectures and sayings revised by king, cynthia, irvine, william b. Lectures and sayings english edition kindle edition musonius rufus 30100 n. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Renowned as a great stoic teacher, musonius conceived of philosophy as nothing but the practice of noble behavior. Because stoicism was, for musonius, not merely a philosophy but a prescription for daily living, he has. Theyre a glimpse into history and a reminder that stoicism was built by flawed and brilliant men. In contrast only a small collection of accounts of musoniuss teachings have been preserved, so he is.
Rufus was the head of the stoic school in his time. Discover book depositorys huge selection of musonius rufus books online. On the one hand, he was the teacher of epictetus and an adviser to the philosophical opposition to the roman principate, and is thought to have. I suggest reading musonius rufus with a notebook to capture some great ideas and multiple grains of salt to work through the rest. Musonius rufus lectures and sayings by musonius rufus, cynthia arrieuking, william b. He was a friend of rubellius plautus, whom emperor nero saw as a threat. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Since this man deserves far more publicity than he has ever gotten in the modern age, i have written this short essay.
There is a book by cynthia king gathering some of rufus material entitled musonius rufus. The overlooked stoic musonius rufus by steven umbrello. This small collection of discourses and sayings may be divided into two groups. Otherwise, it would be taking on matters that do not concern it. He considered the four traditional cardinal virtues more or less. The sources on him reveal a teacher of philosophy who was particularly concerned with social issues. The liddellscottjones lexicon of classical greek entry for despotes shows that the basic, common. Becks translation of the manual fiesers adaptation of the e.
Musoniuss influence in stoicism was and is substantial. These are the most commonly cited stoic philosophers for good reason. Lutz and introduced by gretchen reydamsschils, offers readers access to the thought of one of historys most influential and remarkable stoic thinkers. In fact, one of his students was to become the more famous stoic teacher, epictetus. Musonius rufus, the roman socrates lectures and fragments, translated by cora lutz philosophers on the role of women epictetus note. Lectures and sayings kindle edition by king, cynthia, irvine, william. Musonius rufus and greek diatribe wijsgerige teksten en studies by van geytenbeek, a. Jan 22, 2011 because stoicism was, for musonius, not merely a philosophy but a prescription for daily living, he has been called the roman socrates. Studies of the stoic philosopher musonius rufus have yielded conflicting opinions about his significance as a thinker. Musonius rufus, the roman socrates yale classical studies 10 1947.
He exemplifies the sort of man who should have been venerated and made the founder of a world religion, but was not, yet he was the moral superior in my opinion to jesusnot perfect, but admirable within the context of his. Every pdf is recorded as a 20minute mp3 for onthego learning. Manual and handbook are translations of encheiridion. At a time of renewed interest in stoicism, this collection of musonius rufuss lectures and sayings, beautifully translated by cora e. Lectures and fragments of musonius rufus is essential reading for students of stoics and anyone interested in leading the good life. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. Ad 30100 was one of the four great roman stoic philosophers, the other three being seneca, marcus aurelius, and musonius pupil epictetus. Musonius rufus lectures and sayings by musonius rufus, cynthia arrieuking, william irvine. Mar 30, 2015 discover book depositorys huge selection of musonius rufus books online. In this volume, readers will find cynthia kings translation of musonius lectures, as recorded by his pupil lucius. He was allowed to stay in rome when vespasian banished all the other philosophers from the city in 71 ad, although he was eventually banished anyway, only returning after.
For the past year i have been mostly a student solely of musonius. Musonius rufus, more than any other stoic, reminds me to both respect and challenge the ancient teachers whose ideas i am incorporating into my life. Lutz translates this word as tyrant but that is far too strict. Epictetus often said some version of the following, philosophy does not claim to secure for us anything outside our control. Go to stoicismgo to general philosophygo to pseudosciencego to philosophy of science on stoicism what does it mean to be a stoic. Today gaius musonius rufus is really the often overlooked middle child of the four great late period roman stoics. Gaius musonius rufus was one of the four great stoic philosophers of the. Short socraticstyle discussion between epictetus teacher musonius rufus and one of his pupils on which is more effective for the acquisition of virtue. It is not possible to live well today unless you treat it as your last day. Dillon a look at musonius pedagogical methods, and the core of his teachings. Articles of interest blogs and resources stoic training recommended reading the teachers. Musonius rufus on exile reflections on theology and. He taught philosophy in rome during the reign of nero, as consequence of which he was sent into exile in 65 ad, only returning to rome under galba. Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers.
During his life, musonius stoicism was put to the test, most notably during an exile to gyaros, a barren island in the aegean sea. We should also observe the nature of all objects of sense particularly such as allure us with pleasure, or frighten us with pain, or are clamorously urged upon us by the voice of selfconceit the. Short socraticstyle discussion between epictetus teacher. And further, of the notable sayings of musonius that come to my mind, this is one, sulla, that those who want to be in health should spend their lives taking care of themselves. Ad 30100 was one of the four great roman stoic philosophers, the other three being seneca, marcus aurelius, and musonius pupil. While in modern times he is best known for being the teacher of epictetus c. These are free pdf booklets that assemble thematic writings i have been putting out during the years. Musonius rufus is often given the title the roman socrates, however he is more often looked over when. The first group, representing the bulk of the work, consists of twentyone moral. Musonius luctuosus is a species of beetle in the family cerambycidae, and the only species in the genus musonius. For unlike hellebore, reason should not be cast forth with the illness after it has affected a cure.
In one of his lectures musonius recounts the advice he offered to a visiting syrian. Equally so is the praise spoken in his name by those who were well familiar with it. For as wood is the material of the carpenter, and marble that of the sculptor, so the subject matter of. Details about musonius thought and life are found in lutz and in five men by charlesworth. Lectures and sayings, cynthia king and william irvine. Each entry links to the corresponding booklet for download from a dropbox folder. Rufus dismisses those who insist that exiles are the worse off when they also lose their freedom of speech.
Of all the stoics whose teachings survive, its fair to say that musonius rufus is the least studied, and i would argue, the least appreciated. His philosophical teachings survive as thirtytwo apophthegms pithy sayings and. Gaius musonius rufus project gutenberg selfpublishing. To put him in historical context with the other three great roman stoics. Cynthia king creative space, 2011 lectures 18, part b 3,6, p. Lectures and fragments, translated by cora lutz philosophers on the role of women. Gaius musonius rufus was a roman stoic philosopher of the 1st century ad. He considered the four traditional cardinal virtues more or less sufficient as the basis for ethics, but he could also define virtue as humanity and concern for the welfare of ones fellow. Nonsense, rufus says, for you never truly lose your freedom of speech, for nobody can ever take away your freedom of thought.
Musonius rufus was one of the four great roman stoics. Lectures and sayings will therefore be welcomed by those who seek insight into the practice of stoicism. Lectures and fragments of musonius rufus stoic therapy. Musonius rufus internet encyclopedia of philosophy. A useful, incisive look to those stoics interested in the practical training side of stoicism.