Cicero's Three Essays - (On Friendship. On Old Age. On Duty) (English-Chinese Bilingual Reader)

Author: Xu Yichun Translated
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: "On Friendship," also known as "Laelius," written in 44 BC, in the form of a dialogue, is a gift from an old man to another old man for his friend Atticus. The protagonist is the ancient sage Gaius Laelius, renowned for friendship, and the theme is to argue the principle that "friendship cannot exist without virtue." "On Old Age," also known as "Old Cato," written before Caesar's death and published in May 44 BC. At this time, Cicero was 62 years old. The protagonist is the elderly Marcus Cato, and the theme is to refute the argument that "old age is unlucky" and to argue the principle that "old age can be happy." "On Duty" was written in the autumn of 44 BC, in the form of a letter. The "recipient" is the author's son, Marcus, who was studying in Athens at the time, and the theme is to argue the principle that "duty stems from virtue."