Bio

Plutarch was a Greek historian, biographer, and essayist, born around 46 A.D. in Chaeronea, Boeotia, in ancient Greece. He is best known for his work “Parallel Lives,” a series of biographies of famous Greeks and Romans, paired to illuminate their common moral virtues or failings. This work, along with his other writings, particularly “Moralia,” a collection of essays and dialogues on ethical, religious, physical, political, and literary topics, significantly influenced the development of biography as a literary genre.

Educated in philosophy at the Academy of Athens, Plutarch traveled widely in the Roman Empire, which provided him with a broad perspective on its culture and governance. He held some local offices in his native town and was also a priest at the temple of Apollo at Delphi, a position of considerable honor.

Plutarch’s works are notable for their rich ethical and philosophical content. His writing style is characterized by a warm, humanistic tone, and he often draws on personal experience and anecdote to make his points. His influence extends beyond literature into philosophy and history, particularly due to his interest in the moral character of his subjects.

My Plutarch died after 119 A.D., leaving a legacy that has made him one of the most respected and influential classical writers, whose works continue to be widely read and studied today.

Essay: To an Uneducated Leader

1. Leadership Beyond Power: Plutarch refutes the notion that the primary benefit of holding office is the mere exercise of power. He portrays uneducated leaders as insecure and primarily power-driven, contrasting them with educated leaders who are concerned with the welfare of their constituents, even at the expense of their own power or safety. Plutarch views exposure to moral philosophy as essential for developing reason, which helps control emotions and impulses, leading to benevolent governance.

• Quote: “Educated leaders conversely are primarily concerned with the welfare of their constituents even at the expense of their own power or safety”

1. Vigilance and Protection: Plutarch emphasizes the importance of leaders being vigilant and protective of those they govern, akin to a shepherd’s protective role over his flock. He cites the example of Epaminondas, who kept watch over his fellow Thebans while they indulged in a festival, demonstrating his concern and vigilance for their well-being.

• Quote & Example: “This is what causes them to be revered… Take Epaminondas for example. When his fellow Thebans had abandoned themselves to a drunken festival he alone kept watch”

1. Misguided Leadership Perceptions: Plutarch criticizes the common misunderstanding among leaders that the greatest benefit of governing is freedom from being governed. He uses the example of the king of the Persians, who considered everyone his slave but failed to master his own impulses.

• Quote & Example: “But most leaders misunderstand this thinking instead that the greatest benefit in governing is the freedom from being governed themselves. Take the king of the Persians for instance”

1. Self-Governance for Leaders: Plutarch raises the question of who will govern the governor, arguing that the ultimate authority for a leader is internal reason, not external laws. He again references the Persian king, who assigned a task to an attendant as a reminder for self-reflection and guidance.

• Quote: “Who then will govern the governor? ‘The law which is king of everyone both mortals and immortals’ as Pindar says. But I am not referring to a law that has been written in books… but I mean Reason which exists within those who govern always accompanying and guarding their souls”

Essay: How to be a Good Leader

1. Moderation in Pursuit of Honor: Plutarch warns against the danger of an uncontrollable and unmanageable love of honor. He advises moderation and suggests that leaders should not seek external adornment or validation.

• Quote: “Plato used to say that young people must be taught from childhood that it is not right to wear gold on their bodies”

1. Mentorship and Reputation: Leaders who are mentored and build their reputations thoughtfully are better received by the people and face less hostility in difficult times.

• Quote: “Those who are mentored by others as they build their reputations are well received by the people”

1. Transparency and Accountability: Small faults in leaders are magnified in the public eye, emphasizing the need for leaders to be transparent and accountable. Livius Drusus, a Roman tribune, is cited as an example for his openness.

• Quote & Example: “Consider the tribune Livius Drusus whose house had many rooms that were visible to his neighbors”

1. Rejecting Material Honors: True leaders do not seek material honors but focus on the sacred nature of political service. Anaxagoras, for instance, declined honors, asking instead for a holiday for children on the day of his death.

• Quote & Example: “Anaxagoras declined the honors that were offered to him”

1. Sharing Credit and Reducing Envy: Effective leaders share credit for their successes, reducing envy and promoting fairness. Examples include Timoleon, Python, and Theopompus.

• Quote & Examples: “Timoleon dedicated a temple to the goddess of chance after destroying the tyrannies in Sicily. Python…said ‘God did it through the agency of my hand'”

1. Dynamic Entry into Politics: A bold and dynamic entry into politics can be advantageous, as it captures public attention and can diminish envy.

• Quote: “Those who take the first route set forth straightaway from some illustrious great and daring deed”

1. Respect for Public Office: Leaders must honor every public office and officeholder, recognizing the importance of concord and friendship in governance.

• Quote: “Above all we must honor every public office treating it as a great and sacred thing”

Essay: Should an Old Man Engage in Politics?

1. Experience of Older Politicians: Older politicians, with their ample experience and familiarity with daring deeds, are less tempted to seek victories over political opponents compared to younger people. This maturity benefits their administration, as seen in the example of Cato the Elder and Augustus.

• Quote & Examples: “Now Cato the Elder… and everyone agrees that Caesar (that is Augustus)… made his administration quite a bit more kinglike and advantageous to the people near the end of his life”

1. Courage in Political Systems: Comparing past leaders to current ones, Plutarch argues that older leaders showed greater courage and initiative in political systems that were often more turbulent than those of his time.

• Quote: “Old age did not keep those leaders from performing such great deeds”

1. Dignity of Older Politicians: Plutarch criticizes the idea of older politicians retiring to lesser roles, comparing it to a king playing the role of a farmer, thereby losing their dignity.

• Quote: “Is it not a shame then that the old people… set aside their political role and take up instead something inconceivable?”

1. Personal Satisfaction in Achievements: Leaders like Epaminondas and Sulla found their greatest joy in their achievements, demonstrating the deep personal satisfaction that comes from successful leadership.

• Quote & Examples: “When Epaminondas was asked what pleased him most he answered that it was to have won the battle at Leuctra while his father and mother were still alive”

1. Maintenance of Reputation: Plutarch emphasizes the importance of maintaining a reputation in politics, suggesting it’s easier to protect and increase reputation once it’s established.

• Quote: “In the beginning it is difficult to acquire one’s reputation and power in politics but once they have become great it is easy to protect and increase them”

1. Envy and Age in Politics: Plutarch notes that envy, a significant challenge in political life, is less of an issue for older politicians, as their established reputation and experience tend to mitigate it.

• Quote: “Envy…hardly comes into conflict with old age”

1. Honor in Respecting Elders: The respect and honor bestowed upon the elderly in politics not only dignify the honored but also enhance the stature of those who give the honor.

• Quote: “It has happened that the honor given to the elderly dignifies the one giving the honor more than the one receiving it”