Or since they have free exit from the eyes as soon as penetrating, so that thus. Click anywhere in the line to jump to another position. Project gutenberg offers 61,938 free ebooks to download. The internet classics archive on the nature of things by. On the nature of things by titus lucretius carus free ebook.
Lucretius simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. On the nature of things by lucretius, part of the internet classics archive. Of the nature of things, free pdf, ebook global grey. Lucretius poem on the nature of things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of the greatest poetry ever written. Munros lucretius book ii it is sweet, when on the great sea the winds trouble its waters, to behold from land anothers deep distress. The way things are quotes showing of 70 all religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher. Many comments have been posted about on the nature of things. Lucretius article about lucretius by the free dictionary. It is an epic philosophical work about the beliefs of epicureanism there are not any details about his life. Until now, there has been no adequate english verse translation of lucretiuss work.
On the nature of things, 1951 prose translation by r. Titus carus lucretius article about titus carus lucretius. A volume which no student of lucretius, of the classics, of philosophic literature can afford to ignore. Please click here to go to our dedicated site for lucretius. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek philosopher epicurus, with the aim of dispelling fear of. On the nature of things by lucretius the internet classics archive. Hide browse bar your current position in the text is marked in blue. Book i book ii book iii book iv book v book vi card. This sumptuous account of a secular cosmos argues that the soul is mortal, that pleasure is the object of life, and that humanity has free will, among other ideas. In dignified and beautiful hexameter verse the poet sets forth arguments founded upon the philosophical ideas of democritus and epicurus.
Pleasant it is, when on the great sea the winds the serene sanctuaries of philosophy. Comprehensive commentary by cyril bailey, oxford university press 1947. On the nature of things, is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius. Lucretius on the nature of things ebook written by titus lucretius carus.
On the nature of things by lucretius, paperback barnes. Apart from lucretiuss poem almost nothing is known about him. Very little is known about lucretius s life the only certain fact is that he was either a friend or client of gaius memmius, to who. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read lucretius on the nature of things. Pleasant is it also to behold great encounters of warfare arrayed over the plains.
And we ourselves indeed to make this book, and still to seek the nature of the world and set it down, when once discovered, here. Lucretius poem on the nature of things combines a scientific and philosophical treatise with some of. On the nature of things lucretius harvard university press. Jun 26, 2011 lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. O then the fears of death leave heart so free of care. Paul friedlander, american journal of philology 1945 titus lucretius carus ca. Small octavo 41 2 by 7 inches, modern full blindstamped crushed brown morocco. Lucretius regarded him as the spiritual savior of mankind. It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines life. In six books compounded of solid reasoning, brilliant imagination, and noble poetry, he expounds the scientific theories of the greek.
Little is known of his life, although two tantalizing bits of gossip were passed on by st. In it, he set out to explicate the universe, embracing and refuting ideas of the great greek philosophers. Lucretius on the nature of things matter and void, part i. Epicureanism was a missionary philospohy, aiming to give man happiness by making him selfsufficient. Lucretius is a really difficult text and you need a translation that will point out his sources and what hes doing with them. In the present reprint the translation has been adapted. Google this is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on. Only a few more english translations appeared over the next two centuries, but in. Titus lucretius carus was probably born in the early first century b.
Reissued to accompany stephen greenblatts the swerve. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Lucretius, on the nature of things loeb classical library. The poem, written in some 7,400 dactylic hexameters, is divided into six untitled books, and explores epicurean physics through richly poetic language and metaphors. Home collectionstexts perseus catalog research grants open source about help. Lichfield, printer to the university for anthony stephens, 1682. Lucretius on the nature of things by titus lucretius carus. Is but a drollery and a mocking sport, and of a truth mans dread, with cares. An unabridged publicdomain translation is also available at mit.
It also alludes to his ethical and logical doctrines. This abridged presentation of lucretius famous sixbook poem on nature focuses mostly on those. Drawing on the atomism theory of democritus, dating over 400 years prior to his masterwork, lucretius main aim with his. Latham, introduction and notes by john godwin, penguin revised edition 1994, isbn 0140446109. This is fundamentally different from a principle of motion leading us toward a final end. Mother of aeneas and his race, darling of men and venus, aid me in my work gods, nurturing venus, a who beneath the smoothmoving heavenly signs fill with yourself the sea fullladen with ships, the earth that bears the crops, since through you every kind of living thing is conceived and rising up looks on the light of the sun. This book represents the primary source of modern knowledge on epicurean thought, and it played an important role in the development of atomism.
Lucretius carus first edition lucretius bauman rare. The poem is divided into six books or sections and. Study science in order to rid yourself of unneccesary fears, especially of the gods and death. Anthony esolen fills that gap with a version that reproduceswith remarkable faithfulnessthe meaning, pace, and tone of the original latin.
Saint jerome tells of how he became insane because of a love potion and wrote his poetry in between fits of insanity. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. Have a look at what they say of his concluding passage, the one where hes translating thucydides as a test. Small octavo 412 by 7 inches, modern full blindstamped crushed. On the nature of things is a firstcentury bc didactic poem by the roman poet and philosopher lucretius c.
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