Monday, February 14, 2011

Epicurus: My Kind of Philosopher

I hold the Epicurean philosophy in great respect. I find it to be the most wholesome and complete of the Greek philosophies, in fact it is the European version of Buddhism and I wish that the Christians in antiquity hadn't destroyed all of the philosophical schools, including the Epicurean Gardens.

These Gardens were great centers of learning and for friends to bond with friends. They were also very egalitarian. Epicurus dealt with women and even slaves as equals and all were invited to join in the philosophical discussions without anyone feeling like their intelligence was being insulted or underestimated. This was extremely progressive for his times.

Here is an entertaining look at Epicurus' wisdom. Cheers!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Hospitality verses from the Havamal

Hail, ye Givers! a guest is come;
say! where shall he sit within?
Much pressed is he who fain on the hearth
would seek for warmth and weal.

He hath need of fire, who now is come,
numbed with cold to the knee;
food and clothing the wanderer craves
who has fared o'er the rimy fell.


- Havamal, Stanzas 2-3