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Article ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CLASSICAL KNOWLEDGE. ← Page 7 of 9 →
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On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
' -nowledge instead of being a fetter to genius , has aided its expansion by confining its exuberance . The embellishments of language , aiid the observance of the jus et norma loquendi are of more consequence than the despisers of learning are willing to allow . The finest thoughts of genius , and the hig hest dignity of sentiment , often lose all their force when ill expressedandon the contrary , when
; , judiciously introduced , or delivered with propriety , they may produce the most eligible effects . ¦ To those who aim at propriety of language tiie study of the ancients will be peculiarly useful , since the Greek and Latin are so intimately blended with the English and other modern tono-ues , that all the technical terms of science are of Greek origin , and ° almost all the common words of Latin derivation . Even if the uselessin the situation
learning of the ancients were in itself , present of society it would be hig hly necessary to attain it , for without classical knowledge professional men would be involved in many awkward situations . It is surely necessary for the divine to be acquainted with the Qri-rinal of that scripture which it is his business to explain ; and for the physician to be skilled in that language which is the medium of is of the in
medical knowledge . Classical learning greatest use even common occurrences of life ; in solitude it is always the source of amusement , it affords pleasing reflections , and soothes the little inconveniencies of existence ; in society it renders us useful and agreeable company . Those who are fond of reading , and possess a taste for ancient learning , will scarcely , in the hour of sickness , find their time hang heavy ion their hands , or be overcome with that listless lassitude ever attendant , on leisure without literature .
Otimri sine liter ' s mors est et viri hominis sepultura . SENECA . In every thing that relates to rural life , much information is to be found in the classics ; Theocritus and Virgil have painted the scenes of rustic simplicity in the fairest colours , and have interwoven their subjects with the most beautiful episodes . What pleasure must arise to lettered mind when the strains of Homer arrest attentionor
a , when the pathetic elegiac verses of Bion come under consideration . In almost all the poets and historians moral virtues are particularly inculcated , and in very few works is licentiousness countenanced ; even Petronius and Aristophanes , notwithstanding their shameful obscenity , are not destitute of shrewd remarks on the follies Of human nature
. The study of the classics , since they abound in exalted sentiments and beautiful descriptions , necessarily elevate and refine the mind of the individual who studies them with attention ; his mental vision will be strengthened , ' and his intellectual horizon extended . In perusing the works of others he will be better able to discern their beauties ' and defectsand in the composition of his own will more
, easily perceive , what to chuse and what to reject . In matters , of taste " , as antiquities , sculptures , & c . classical knowledge is of evident utility . ' A coin or a statue may be contemplated with p leasure by the illiterate , but certainly the scholar receives a hig her degree of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
' -nowledge instead of being a fetter to genius , has aided its expansion by confining its exuberance . The embellishments of language , aiid the observance of the jus et norma loquendi are of more consequence than the despisers of learning are willing to allow . The finest thoughts of genius , and the hig hest dignity of sentiment , often lose all their force when ill expressedandon the contrary , when
; , judiciously introduced , or delivered with propriety , they may produce the most eligible effects . ¦ To those who aim at propriety of language tiie study of the ancients will be peculiarly useful , since the Greek and Latin are so intimately blended with the English and other modern tono-ues , that all the technical terms of science are of Greek origin , and ° almost all the common words of Latin derivation . Even if the uselessin the situation
learning of the ancients were in itself , present of society it would be hig hly necessary to attain it , for without classical knowledge professional men would be involved in many awkward situations . It is surely necessary for the divine to be acquainted with the Qri-rinal of that scripture which it is his business to explain ; and for the physician to be skilled in that language which is the medium of is of the in
medical knowledge . Classical learning greatest use even common occurrences of life ; in solitude it is always the source of amusement , it affords pleasing reflections , and soothes the little inconveniencies of existence ; in society it renders us useful and agreeable company . Those who are fond of reading , and possess a taste for ancient learning , will scarcely , in the hour of sickness , find their time hang heavy ion their hands , or be overcome with that listless lassitude ever attendant , on leisure without literature .
Otimri sine liter ' s mors est et viri hominis sepultura . SENECA . In every thing that relates to rural life , much information is to be found in the classics ; Theocritus and Virgil have painted the scenes of rustic simplicity in the fairest colours , and have interwoven their subjects with the most beautiful episodes . What pleasure must arise to lettered mind when the strains of Homer arrest attentionor
a , when the pathetic elegiac verses of Bion come under consideration . In almost all the poets and historians moral virtues are particularly inculcated , and in very few works is licentiousness countenanced ; even Petronius and Aristophanes , notwithstanding their shameful obscenity , are not destitute of shrewd remarks on the follies Of human nature
. The study of the classics , since they abound in exalted sentiments and beautiful descriptions , necessarily elevate and refine the mind of the individual who studies them with attention ; his mental vision will be strengthened , ' and his intellectual horizon extended . In perusing the works of others he will be better able to discern their beauties ' and defectsand in the composition of his own will more
, easily perceive , what to chuse and what to reject . In matters , of taste " , as antiquities , sculptures , & c . classical knowledge is of evident utility . ' A coin or a statue may be contemplated with p leasure by the illiterate , but certainly the scholar receives a hig her degree of