Description
Book SynopsisJustus Lipsius' De Constantia (1584) is one of the most important and interesting of sixteenth century Humanist texts. A dialogue in two books, conceived as a philosophical consolation for those suffering through contemporary religious wars, De Constantia proved immensely popular in its day and formed the inspiration for what has become known as 'Neo-stoicism'. This movement advocated the revival of Stoic ethics in a form that would be palatable to a Christian audience. In De Constantia Lipsius deploys Stoic arguments concerning appropriate attitudes towards emotions and external events. He also makes clear which parts of stoic philosophy must be rejected, including its materialism and its determinism. De Constantia was translated into a number of vernacular languages soon after its original publication in Latin. Of the English translations that were made, that by Sir John Stradling (1595) became a classic; it was last reprinted in 1939. The present edition offers a lightly revised version of Stradling’s translation, updated for modern readers, along with a new introduction, notes and bibliography.
Table of Contents
- Contents
- Preface
- Introduction
- Background
- Lipsius' Life Lipsius' Works
- Later Impact: Neo-stoicism Stoicism after Neo-stoicism
- Analytic Outline of Contents
- The Chapter Headings De Constantia To the Reader
- Book I
- Book II
- Bibliographical
- Guide to Lipsius' Works
- General Bibliography
- Index of Passages
