The Taste of Xenophon - Classics and Interpretations 13

Author: Liu Xiaofeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: When studying Xenophon, one of the great admirers of Sparta in the classical period, one cannot help but think of Rousseau, one of the most important modern admirers of Sparta. If the claim that restoring a reliable method must eliminate the influence of Rousseau is true (as people sometimes conclude), the theme of this article can be concluded: the teachings of people like Xenophon are precisely what we need as an antidote. It goes without saying that refuting or proving such a profound theme is not the main purpose of this article. However, if this article prompts some readers to reconsider traditional and contemporary views of Xenophon—views that, though understandable, are even somewhat justified, yet nearly insult this truly noble soul—then the writing of this article is not in vain. Because he was such a person: he would rather travel through several centuries disguised as a beggar than sell the precious secrets of Socrates' silent and prudent wisdom to a large crowd. Only when he has charmed them with a clever story of some Agis, some Cyrus, some Xenophon, filled with unexpected and dazzling plots, do they let him escape and gain immortal fame.