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Product Description
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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From the Back Cover
In this essay from Schopenhauer final work, Parerga und Paralipomena (1851), the philosopher favors individual strength of will and independent, reasoned deliberation over the tendency to act on irrational impulses. He examines the ways in which life can be arranged to derive the highest degree of pleasure and success.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Great philosopher, bad edition
31 Jan 2006
Format:Paperback
With his beautifully written Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life (originally published as part of a bigger work, "Parerga and Paralipomena", volume one), Schopenhauer [S] appeals to anyone who acknowledges that this world isn't a particularly nice or fun place to live in. Elaborating on his theories of human suffering, which he links above all to the workings of our Will (a kind of instinct/drive that fosters desires, leads to conflicts, and provokes continual unrest), S proposes the practice of self-awareness, a mild asceticism and intellectual pursuit to counter the pains and boredom of life.
However, what I saw in this edition by Dover Publications can hardly qualify as satisfactory. Two points made this a great disappointment:
1 - This is NOT the COMPLETE translation of S's original Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life - in fact, the whole fifth and sixth chapters are missing. This is a real shame, since it is particularly in the longish CHAPTER FIVE that dear old S actually develops his nicest ideas and advice for anyone interested in leading a thoughtful and serene existence (or rather, spending a lifetime aiming in that direction), mainly by realizing that most desires and pleasures stirring one's brain and body are chimerical, and therefore ultimately frustrating.
The preceding considerations in The Wisdom of Life can in fact be read as a mere introduction to the greater conclusions in this chapter. S organized his work so as to say: "now that you know what you are (chapter 2), what you have (chapter 3) and what you appear to be in the eyes of others (chapter 4), here's what you should DO (chapter 5)." With this edition, though, the best of S is left out.
2 - Probably with the intention of "saving space", the editors have found it fit NOT to translate S's many quotations of other philosophers and of poets, from the ancient Greek and Latin to the French and German. Since it is most unlikely that many modern readers will master these languages (at least all four of them simultaneously), a considerable amount of thoughts in this book is left somewhat incomplete. I find this particularly annoying, as S wasn't quoting others "for the heck of it" or to "appear well-educated": each time he refers to another author or text, he is trying both to prove how much his thoughts are the product of a long tradition of reflection on certain issues - and also to complete his ideas by recurring to formulations which may better convey them to the reader. One can surmise that each quotation was carefully picked with a clear aim - which now eludes the reader, as there is only so much he can make out of "sume superbiam quoesitam meritis" (a sentence attributed to Horace, that much we are told) or the even more frequent sentences in ancient Greek language (and alphabet).
[Incidentally, another edition, by Prometheus Books (1995), has the exact same flaws, so this might be a recurrent problem]
For these reasons, I would urge interested readers to carefully look at the actual contents of an edition of Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life - and to make sure that the translators have really bothered to translate the full text. Socrates and Seneca, Voltaire and Goethe sound much better when one understands what they are on about. And S's subtle irony, wise conclusions and friendly advice are far more enjoyable and useful when one reads ALL he has to say.
However, what I saw in this edition by Dover Publications can hardly qualify as satisfactory. Two points made this a great disappointment:
1 - This is NOT the COMPLETE translation of S's original Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life - in fact, the whole fifth and sixth chapters are missing. This is a real shame, since it is particularly in the longish CHAPTER FIVE that dear old S actually develops his nicest ideas and advice for anyone interested in leading a thoughtful and serene existence (or rather, spending a lifetime aiming in that direction), mainly by realizing that most desires and pleasures stirring one's brain and body are chimerical, and therefore ultimately frustrating.
The preceding considerations in The Wisdom of Life can in fact be read as a mere introduction to the greater conclusions in this chapter. S organized his work so as to say: "now that you know what you are (chapter 2), what you have (chapter 3) and what you appear to be in the eyes of others (chapter 4), here's what you should DO (chapter 5)." With this edition, though, the best of S is left out.
2 - Probably with the intention of "saving space", the editors have found it fit NOT to translate S's many quotations of other philosophers and of poets, from the ancient Greek and Latin to the French and German. Since it is most unlikely that many modern readers will master these languages (at least all four of them simultaneously), a considerable amount of thoughts in this book is left somewhat incomplete. I find this particularly annoying, as S wasn't quoting others "for the heck of it" or to "appear well-educated": each time he refers to another author or text, he is trying both to prove how much his thoughts are the product of a long tradition of reflection on certain issues - and also to complete his ideas by recurring to formulations which may better convey them to the reader. One can surmise that each quotation was carefully picked with a clear aim - which now eludes the reader, as there is only so much he can make out of "sume superbiam quoesitam meritis" (a sentence attributed to Horace, that much we are told) or the even more frequent sentences in ancient Greek language (and alphabet).
[Incidentally, another edition, by Prometheus Books (1995), has the exact same flaws, so this might be a recurrent problem]
For these reasons, I would urge interested readers to carefully look at the actual contents of an edition of Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life - and to make sure that the translators have really bothered to translate the full text. Socrates and Seneca, Voltaire and Goethe sound much better when one understands what they are on about. And S's subtle irony, wise conclusions and friendly advice are far more enjoyable and useful when one reads ALL he has to say.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
a masterful work by the german "buddha"
1 Aug 2004
Format:Paperback
in a very short essay (about 70 or so pages) Schopenhauer with unparralleled clarity shows how u can obtain wisdom from life and avoid the never ending struggle of the will as taught in eastern faiths. His writing is brilliant and illuminating and shows how to be moral and live a meaningfull life in a confusing age. German writers like kant should take a lesson from schopenhauer and how easy he is to understand without all the useless philosophical jargon. the book is a great pleasure to read and is extremely short (best of both worlds eh?). The wisdom of life is a must have for any thinker of any age and era.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Short and Sharp
29 Aug 2007
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent small book on the wisdom of life. A 'make you think' for any spare moment.
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