I won't pretend to understand all the mythological, historical, and poetic references and underpinnings in Bacchylides' work, but who can dislike this?
So Lord Apollo, true to his mark,
Gave warning to Admetus:
"Men must breed twin minds;
Consider tomorrow's sun your last—
And think you'll live out fifty years,
Each one steeped in wealth.
But strike your stand in piety:
There all the gain and gladness lies."
A better vision of that difficult dance of living in the moment and thinking to the future is seldom seen.
Or, for writers and artists struggling in the moment, consider this short paean on art and inspiration:
One writer picks another's brains—
Call it tradition:
Taking the gates of a new song
Is no small job.
There is so much wisdom and human history and human growth and difficult yet resonating ideas in the Greek and Roman classics. I will never regret the time I spent in my college and graduate school years on works from long ago. And I love the time I have now—and the resources available—to read and appreciate ancient works in new spheres.
Fired from the Canon
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A list of 10 classics you can skip. The guys over at The American Scene
respond: First, Noah Milman thinks the list goes after too many minor works,
so he ...
2 hours ago

