The Classics and the Life Lessons they Teach

The classics are certainly around to be read and enjoyed, but they have much to offer in terms of life lessons as well. Here are two quotes from classic novels and the lessons they have to teach us.

From Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery:

"There is magic and beauty in this world everywhere you look — just as long as you look for it. Never lose the whimsical notions that come so easily to us as children, yet flee once we age. Stay positive, fight for your friendships and never be afraid to try on different personae — you might find one you like."

If you always expect the worst, you’ll always find it. The world can in fact be a wonderful place if, as Monty Python likes to remind us, you “always look on the bright side of life.”

From Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë:

"Listen to your conscience and do the right thing, no matter the cost. You can't put a price on self-respect. Follow your heart. Things may not always work out the way you'd like, but if you live according to your principles, they will work out."

It’s difficult to add anything to the lessons taught by Charlotte Brontë, and this one speaks for itself quite concisely. It stands as a powerful reminder that you’ll always have to live with your conscience.

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The Big Three in Greek Philosophy

Without a doubt, philosophy is a noble pursuit and one well worth putting in the time to learn about and discover. That said, for the uninitiated, it can be a bit overwhelming… Fear not! Here’s a quick primer on “The Big Three” in Greek philosophy to get your started on the right path.

Socrates. Credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, what we know of Socrates comes mostly from the writers and philosophers who came after him, as he actually made no writings himself. Renowned for his contributions to ethics and epistemology, mostly through the writings of Plato, his student, Socrates remains a somewhat enigmatic figure despite his considerable influence on modern philosophy.

Plato. A student of Socrates, Plato founded the Academy of Athens, considered to be the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Unlike his predecessors, or even many of his contemporaries, it is though that all of Plato’s writings survived over time, making him one of the most important figures in Western philosophy, in addition to being thought of as one of the founders of Western religion and spirituality.

Aristotle. A student of Plato (noticing a pattern here?) Aristotle is also thought to be a father of Western philosophy, in part due to his comprehensive combination of the ideas of Socrates and Plato before him. The once tutor of Alexander the great left much to the world in the form of writings on a broad range of topics from the arts to the sciences.

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