Quote by Henry David Thoreau
Those who have not learned to read the ancient classics in the language in which they were written must have a very imperfect knowledge of the history of the human race; for it is remarkable that no transcript of them has ever been made into any modern tongue, unless our civilization itself may be regarded as such a transcript. Homer has never yet been printed in English, nor Aeschylus, nor Virgil even, works as refined, as solidly done, and as beautiful almost as the morning itself; for later writers, say what we will of their genius, have rarely, if ever, equaled the elaborate beauty and finish and the lifelong and heroic literary labors of the ancients. They only talk of forgetting them who never knew them.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance of reading ancient classics in their original language in order to have a complete understanding of human history. It points out that translations cannot truly capture the essence and beauty of these works. The quote suggests that civilization itself is a reflection of these ancient texts, and by neglecting them, we forget our roots and miss out on the intricate craftsmanship and enduring impact of these ancient authors. It criticizes the tendency to dismiss or overlook the significance of these classics by those who have never experienced their beauty firsthand.
Topics
Classics
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