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The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates

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The Memorable Thoughts of Socrates

By: Xenophon, Edward Bysshe - translator
Narrated by: Nicholas Tecosky
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About this listen

Xenophon was a Greek who admired and studied with Socrates. He marched with the Spartans and later was exiled from Athens. He wrote about the history of his times, the sayings of Socrates, and about life in Greece.

Edward Bysshe translated Xenophone's work in 1702. This translation has continued to have an excellent reputation. In this work, Xenophon discusses the views of life taught by Socrates. His writing is clean and direct. Xenophon does not idealize Socrates, but he feels strongly, and he shows clearly the worth of the wisdom that touches at every point the actual conduct of the lives of men.

Public Domain (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
Classics Philosophy Greece

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Editor reviews

Narrator Nicholas Tecosky will make listeners feel as though they are at a lecture given by an obliging and earnest professor. His easygoing performance allows listeners to appreciate Socrates' words of wisdom as written by his student Xenophon. Addressing the youth of his time, Socrates instructs them on the philosophy of virtue and its value and application in daily life. Socrates touches on religion and piety, household management (which he likens to political government), and ways to avoid corruption and excess. Listeners who are looking for an accessible introduction to Socratic philosophy will find this audiobook perfect for their needs.

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Xenophon did not survive all these years because he was a great writer. He was prominent in society at a prominent time. But he is really insufferable in his self-regard, pompous and eminently lacking in perceptiveness.
The narrator seems very anxious. It’s hard to know to what extent he is unfamiliar with the material, or just doesn’t understand it, and to what extent he is hampered by Xenophon’s terrible writing style and personal style.
However I give it an extra star overall and presenting an intriguing challenge to resolve this puzzle. Also because it’s ironic that someone whose self perception amounts to such a total blindness should try to establish himself as an authority on someone whose main recommendation was to “know thyself.”
Xenophon’s other book is also terrible, even though the subject matter, a Greek expeditionary force becoming marooned in Persia and finding their way home, is magnificent. Again this is an impressive achievement.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

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