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    An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus
    An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus
    An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus
    Ebook53 pages42 minutes

    An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus

    By Plotinus and Thomas Taylor

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    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArchive Classics
    Release dateNov 26, 2013
    An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus

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      Book preview

      An Essay on the Beautiful From the Greek of Plotinus - Plotinus

      The Project Gutenberg EBook of An Essay on the Beautiful, by Plotinus

      This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

      almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

      re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

      with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

      Title: An Essay on the Beautiful

             From the Greek of Plotinus

      Author: Plotinus

      Translator: Thomas Taylor

      Release Date: July 25, 2009 [EBook #29510]

      [Last updated: April 8, 2012]

      Language: English

      *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AN ESSAY ON THE BEAUTIFUL ***

      Produced by Ruth Hart

      AN ESSAY ON THE BEAUTIFUL

      (From the Greek of Plotinus)

      Translated by

      Thomas Taylor

      London

      John M. Watkins

      21 Cecil Court, Charing Cross Road

      1917

      INTRODUCTION

      It may seem wonderful that language, which is the only method of conveying our conceptions, should, at the same time, be an hindrance to our advancement in philosophy; but the wonder ceases when we consider, that it is seldom studied as the vehicle of truth, but is too frequently esteemed for its own sake, independent of its connection with things. This observation is remarkably verified in the Greek language; which, as it is the only repository of ancient wisdom, has, unfortunately for us, been the means of concealing, in shameful obscurity, the most profound researches and the sublimest truths. That words, indeed, are not otherwise valuable than as subservient to things, must surely be acknowledged by every liberal mind, and will alone be disputed by him who has spent the prime of his life, and consumed the vigour of his understanding, in verbal criticisms and grammatical trifles. And, if this is the case, every lover of truth will only study a language for the purpose of procuring the wisdom it contains; and will doubtless wish to make his native language the vehicle of it to others. For, since all truth is eternal, its nature can never be altered by transposition, though by this means its dress may be varied, and become less elegant and refined. Perhaps even this inconvenience may be remedied by sedulous cultivation; at least, the particular inability of some, ought not to discourage the well-meant endeavours of others. Whoever reads the lives of the ancient Heroes of Philosophy, must be convinced that they studied things more than words, and that Truth alone was the ultimate object of their search; and he who wishes to emulate their glory and participate their wisdom, will study their doctrines more than their language, and value the depth of their understandings far beyond the elegance of their composition. The native charms of Truth will ever be sufficient to allure the truly philosophic mind; and he who has once discovered her retreats will surely endeavour to fix a mark by which they may be detected by others.

      But, though the mischief arising from the study of words is prodigious, we must not consider it as the only cause of darkening the splendours of Truth, and obstructing the free diffusion of her light. Different manners and philosophies have equally contributed to banish the goddess from our realms, and to render our eyes offended with her celestial light. Hence we must not wonder that, being indignant at the change, and perceiving the empire of ignorance rising to unbounded dominion, she has retired from the spreading darkness, and concealed herself in the tranquil and divinely lucid regions of mind. For we need but barely survey modern pursuits to be convinced how little they are connected with wisdom. Since, to describe the nature of some particular place, the form, situation

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