Please read the Introduction to Sallust's War with Jugurtha. Pick out what you consider to be the most important/most interesting line from this selection. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why *your* line is even more important or more interesting.As an alternative, pick out the line from Sallust you consider the worst, or the least interesting. If other students have chosen a different line, explain why your line is even worse or less interesting.
"Thus beauty, of person, eminent wealth, corporeal strength, and all other things of this kind, speedily pass away; but the illustrious schievemtns of the mind are, like the mind itself, immortal." I think this line is important and interesting becuase it shows us that it poeple don't remember what you were really like they remember the great achievements you made when you were alive. Which is what exactly we study in history to see the great achievements of people who lived before us, so this is why I find this passage to be important.
ReplyDelete"For just as mankind is made up of body and soul, so all our acts and pursuits partake of the nature either of the body or of the mind." I like this line and think that it is important for people to remember that each act we do is done by either direction from the body or from our mind. I think that this passage helps us to realize that people in the past used their body and mind to make the great decisions that they did.
ReplyDelete"In short, the goods of the body and of fortune have an end as well as a beginning, and they all rise and fall, wax and wane; but the mind, incorruptible, eternal, ruler of mankind, animates and controls all things, yet is itself not controlled."
ReplyDeleteI thought that this line was interesting because it brought up the idea about the body vs the mind. When I read it I immediately thought of the Bible and the difference between worldly/ desires of man vs godly desires. I also thought that is it was interesting because it shows the value of intellect Roman people found. also, I think it is just a reminder of how important having a sound uncorruptible mind was important to them as well. I thought that the line that was chosen was an interesting one as well, it is similar to the one that I chose. I think my line is more interesting because it compares the mind and body. These lines are so similar, just worded differently I think. My line also brings up fortune, which some of the corrupted Senate found important, but my line reminds us that fortune can fade, but a sound mind is eternal.
"Therefore we can marvel the more at the perversity of those who pass their life in riotous living and idleness, given over to the pleasures of the body, but allow the mind, which is better and greater than anything else in man's nature, to grow dull from neglect and inaction; especially when there are so many and so varied intellectual pursuits by which the highest distinction may be won." I think this is an important line because it brings us all onto an equal playing field. We all have minds of our own and we have the power to use them. A lot of people didn't have the rich life and those who did let it take over their lives so their minds went to waste. Our minds can set us free so we can't let the material things hold us back.
ReplyDeleteThe entire forward is interesting and important.
ReplyDelete"But in these degenerate days, on the contrary, who is there that does not vie with his ancestors in riches and extravagance rather than in uprightness and diligence?"
What Sallust is saying here is very important. The people of Rome were no longer trying to live up to the virtues and principles that their ancestors had held dear. Now it was about gaining wealth and power that would surpass what their ancestors had accumulated. And it didnt matter if other people were hurt in the pursuit of these things. Sallust apologizes for getting off subject but I think what he was doing was very clever. He is pointing out why the war with Jugurtha began by pointing out that the Romans had lost their way morally. So the citizens of Rome were really to blame for the war.
One could make the case that America has also started, or has been on, the wrong path as well. If looked at, placing money and power above virtue and principles, has become SOP for many that hold positions of power in this country. Bernie Maddoff and the executives of Enron would be examples of this. The pursuit of wealth is placed above virtue. When this occurs it doesnt matter if others get financially ruined because the ends, profit, justify the means. Sallust's intro could also be applied to modern day politicians. Tell them what they want to hear to get elected and than do whatever you feel like doing after being elected.
Whew! Much like Sallust, I went off on a rant.
I have often heard that Quintus Maximus, Publius Scipio, and other eminent men of our country, were in the habit of declaring that their hearts were set mightily aflame for the pursuit of virtue whenever they gazed upon the masks of their ancestors.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this line is the most important because it shows that men want to live a noble life because people will always remember them. By having the masks of ancestors it was a reminder that what they do while alive will be remembered forever. This would make one want to live a good life and do great things that can make future generations proud to where their mask.
"But if men had as great regard for honourable enterprises as they have ardour in pursuing what is foreign to their interests, and bound to be unprofitable and often even dangerous, they would control fate rather than be controlled by it, and would attain to that height of greatness where from mortals their glory would make them immortal."
ReplyDeleteAh, the downfall of Rome! As Sallust says, if only men would pursue endeavors that are honorable and good the way they purse negative and base things, Rome would probably still be around! As is in our hearts, so are we.
First no I did not just read the first paragraph but I picked "the leader and ruler of man's life is the mind, and when this advances to glory by the path of virtue, it has power and potency in abundance, as well as fame; and it needs not fortune, since fortune can neither give to any man honesty, diligence, and other good qualities"
ReplyDeleteThis was interesting to me because the mind is powerful because it can make see whats not really there, you may feel you have good qualities but it is just a act because deep down you are just doing to get ahead and go to the top and step on anybody in your way. My is more imporant because most people do not see their real self and just act to be something else than what they really are.
"without reason do mankind complain of their nature." This statement in my mind rings true of a lot of issues nowadays some people just are not content with their situation and they want more. Wars have always begun out of jeolousy and will always be a factor.
ReplyDelete“Therefore notable beauty and great riches, as well as bodily strength and all other gifts of that kind, soon pass away, but the splendid achievements of the intellect, like the soul, are everlasting.” I like this quote because it shows that life is not about what we have in life, but rather how we live our lives and what we do in life. This quote also shows that the material items we work so hard to obtain can be taken from us easily and therefore will not be remembered by others. This quote is important because it shows that we need to work towards living a good life not “THE” good life.
ReplyDelete"For just as mankind is made up of body and soul, so all our acts and pursuits partake of the nature either of the body or of the mind. Therefore notable beauty and great riches, as well as bodily strength and all other gifts of that kind, soon pass away, but the splendid achievements of the intellect, like the soul, are everlasting."
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Kimberly's response in all facets. This quote is a great one and it shows us a lot about a little. What it tells us is that all the things brought to us in life that are material and superficial do not last and the things that truly bring meaning to our lives and the things of great importance will live on forever.
"In the beginning Africa was inhabited by the Gaetulians and Libyans, rude and uncivilized folk, who fed like beasts on the flesh of wild animals and the fruits of the earth."
ReplyDeleteI think that this line is very interesting because it is summing up how and what the Romans thought about their enemy. Clearly, they did not think to highly of them. It also shows how the Romans shifted from thinking highly of their enemies to thinking that they are absolute scum. They underestimated their enemy and it is no wonder they got beat so bad in the desert.
"For to rule one's country or subjects by force, although you both have the power to correct abuses, and do correct them, is nevertheless tyrannical; especially since all attempts at change foreshadow bloodshed, exile, and other horrors of war."
ReplyDeleteI found this quote the most interesting. It is, I think, the most important because it warns against the tendancy to look towards force to "even the playing field". It was important then when the key figures involved in the war with Jugurtha were all trying to use military strength and bribery to gain their ends when a little diplomacy and reflection might have been more advantageous. It is still important today, as the failures and atrocities in the Soviet Union can attest.
Many of the other statements in the introduction include good personal advice, not to let a desire for wealth get in the way of a virtuous life, for example, but this is most important because it is a warning given to ruling bodies not to overstep the boundaries of their power.
"But if men had as great regard for honourable enterprises as they have ardour in pursuing what is foreign to their interests, and bound to be unprofitable and often even dangerous, they would control fate rather than be controlled by it, and would attain to that height of greatness where from mortals their glory would make them immortal."
ReplyDeleteI believe that this speaks about those who went far and beyond the call to rise above everyone else, people like Ceaser. They seperate themselve from everyone by there deeds