“Poverty is dishonorable, not in itself, but when it is a proof of laziness, intemperance, luxury, and carelessness; whereas in a person that is temperate, industrious, just and valiant, and who uses all his virtues for the public good, it shows a great and lofty mind.”
Composed by the Greek historian Plutarch, this collection of biographies explores the lives of famous individuals from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The work is renowned for its comparative approach, pairing biographies of Greek and Roman figures to highlight their similarities and differences in character and achievements. It is considered a foundational text in the genre of comparative biography and offers insights into the moral and political values of the time. more
“Those are greedy of praise prove that they are poor in merit.”
“Riches for the most part are hurtful to them that possess them.”