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Article ON THE ADVANTAGES OF CLASSICAL KNOWLEDGE. ← Page 8 of 9 →
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On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
satisfaction , when he considers a gem , and recognizes the works of Pyrgoteles ; or in contemplating a coin of Ccesar , reflects that it might have , been in possession of Cicero . In considering a statue the uninformed man may admire its beauty , but the scholar , while he beholds its symmetry , will find a thousand agreeable circumstances Intrude themselves on his imagination . In every public here of
sp life , classical attainments are undoubtedly of high importance , and , in every private station , a source of innocent and elegant enjoyments . They assist the candidate for public favours , and render the manners of private life amiable and urbane . The statesman and the lawyer may derive from them political and legal . information : from them they may gain distinct ideas of policy and the distribution of
justice . In the study of the law the Latin language is indispensable , as many of the terms are in that language , and the law itself is of Roman origin . As nothing is more necessary for the lawyer and the patriot than a correct , clear , and forcible manner of expression , and a perspicuous arrangement of their ideasit will be certainly unnecessary to
, insist on the propriety of reading with attention the orators of Greece and Rome . It need only be observed , that the force of Demosthenes , and the elegance of Cicero , merit , in an eminent degree , the consideration of the patriot in the senate , and the pleader at the bar . Classical attainments , perhaps , if not absolutely necessary in
producing genius , must , certainly , be allowed of considerable consequence in promoting its exertions . Good sense and strength of mind may exist without any learned acquisitions , and excellent compositions may be produced : but the small number of men of genius who have obtained merit and fame without the benefits of a liberal education is surely an argument that classical learning is an incentive to meritand that it has been the cause of the production of many
, excellent works in the sciences and in literature . Few writers , indeed , there have been who have added much to science , and who have appeared conspicuous in the paths of taste without possessing some acquaintance with the ancients . To men of great and sublime genius , the light of classic knowledge is at least of some service . Shakespeareit is evidenthad read them
, , in translations , and was not entirely ignorant of the Latin language * . But , however , as all writers are not men of Shakespearean genius , it is very fortunate that some remains of ancient learning have descended to modern times to direct the fancy' and form the taste . A few partial applauders of the ancients would never have rendered them the subjects of general praiseand have caused their works to be the
, basis of education . Our own , and other modern tongues , possess , it is true , all the knowledge of the ancients , and a considerable deal more . Why , then ( say some ) , need we trouble ourselves in learning with difficulty the languages of Greece and Rome ? Those who adopt this mode of reasoning ought to reflect , that it is to the study
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On The Advantages Of Classical Knowledge.
satisfaction , when he considers a gem , and recognizes the works of Pyrgoteles ; or in contemplating a coin of Ccesar , reflects that it might have , been in possession of Cicero . In considering a statue the uninformed man may admire its beauty , but the scholar , while he beholds its symmetry , will find a thousand agreeable circumstances Intrude themselves on his imagination . In every public here of
sp life , classical attainments are undoubtedly of high importance , and , in every private station , a source of innocent and elegant enjoyments . They assist the candidate for public favours , and render the manners of private life amiable and urbane . The statesman and the lawyer may derive from them political and legal . information : from them they may gain distinct ideas of policy and the distribution of
justice . In the study of the law the Latin language is indispensable , as many of the terms are in that language , and the law itself is of Roman origin . As nothing is more necessary for the lawyer and the patriot than a correct , clear , and forcible manner of expression , and a perspicuous arrangement of their ideasit will be certainly unnecessary to
, insist on the propriety of reading with attention the orators of Greece and Rome . It need only be observed , that the force of Demosthenes , and the elegance of Cicero , merit , in an eminent degree , the consideration of the patriot in the senate , and the pleader at the bar . Classical attainments , perhaps , if not absolutely necessary in
producing genius , must , certainly , be allowed of considerable consequence in promoting its exertions . Good sense and strength of mind may exist without any learned acquisitions , and excellent compositions may be produced : but the small number of men of genius who have obtained merit and fame without the benefits of a liberal education is surely an argument that classical learning is an incentive to meritand that it has been the cause of the production of many
, excellent works in the sciences and in literature . Few writers , indeed , there have been who have added much to science , and who have appeared conspicuous in the paths of taste without possessing some acquaintance with the ancients . To men of great and sublime genius , the light of classic knowledge is at least of some service . Shakespeareit is evidenthad read them
, , in translations , and was not entirely ignorant of the Latin language * . But , however , as all writers are not men of Shakespearean genius , it is very fortunate that some remains of ancient learning have descended to modern times to direct the fancy' and form the taste . A few partial applauders of the ancients would never have rendered them the subjects of general praiseand have caused their works to be the
, basis of education . Our own , and other modern tongues , possess , it is true , all the knowledge of the ancients , and a considerable deal more . Why , then ( say some ) , need we trouble ourselves in learning with difficulty the languages of Greece and Rome ? Those who adopt this mode of reasoning ought to reflect , that it is to the study