The student and successor of Aristotle, Theophrastus of Eresus is the author of one of the most important botanical works to have survived antiquity. A polymath and enthusiast of many interests, his studies explored all aspects of human knowledge and experience, especially natural science. On a social level, Theophrastus’ famous ‘Characters’ is a collection of descriptive sketches, serving as the earliest example of character-writing and providing an engaging insight into daily lif...

"The Characters of Theophrastus" is a collection of character sketches that provide insight into human behavior and personality types. Written by the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle, this work presents a series of brief descriptions of various archetypal characters, each embodying specific traits and vices. Theophrastus uses wit and keen observation to explore the complexities of human nature, making his characters relatable and timeless. This text serves as ...

The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...

The Library of Alexandria is an independent small business publishing house. We specialize in bringing back to live rare, historical and ancient Books. This includes manuscripts such as: classical fiction, philosophy, science, Religion, folklore, mythology, history, literature, politics and sacred texts, in addition to Secret and esoteric subjects, such as: occult, freemasonry, alchemy, hermetic, shamanism and ancient knowledge. Our Books are available in digital format. We have approximat...

Read by Billy Crudup"These Characters are people we know―they're our quirky neighbors, our creepy bosses, our blind dates from hell. Sharp-tongued Theophrastus, made sharper than ever in this fresh new edition, reminds us that Athenian weirdness is as ageless as Athenian wisdom." —Mary Beard, Professor of Classics at Cambridge University, presenter of BBC's CivilisationsWhen Aristotle wrote that that "comedy is about people worse than ourselves," he may hav...

In "The Characters of Theophrastus," the ancient Greek philosopher delves into the realm of human behavior and societal types through a series of humorous yet astute sketches. Written in the 4th century BCE, this pioneering work employs a concise and witty style, epitomizing the literary genre of character sketches that would later influence the development of character literature throughout the Western canon. Theophrastus artfully explores the complexities of human nature and moral ambigu...

In "Theophrastus and the Greek Physiological Psychology before Aristotle '— On Sense Perception," Theophrastus embarks on a meticulous exploration of sensory experience, grounding his inquiries in the burgeoning field of physiological psychology. The book delves into the mechanisms of perception, examining how sense data is processed within the human mind, and illuminates the philosophical underpinnings of sensory experience during the pre-Aristotelian period. Theophrastus employs an analy...

Almadir, the philosopher, says: «We extract our Mercury from one perfect body and two perfect natural conditions incorporated together, which indeed puts forth externally its perfection, whereby it is able to resist the fire, so that its internal imperfection may be protected by the external perfections». By this passage of the sagacious philosopher is understood the Adamic matter, the limbus of the microcosm, and the homogeneous, unique matter of the philosophers. The sayings of these men...

In "The Characters of Theophrastus," the esteemed philosopher presents a series of vivid character sketches that serve as an exploration of human behavior and societal norms in ancient Greece. Written in a concise yet engaging style, this work employs irony and subtle humor to reveal the universal qualities of its diverse subjects, ranging from the enthusiastic to the hypocritical. Through these characterizations, Theophrastus not only draws from the rich literary traditions of his time bu...

The Characters of Theophrastus is a compact masterpiece of ethical observation and comic precision: a sequence of brief prose sketches defining recognizable social vices—the Flatterer, the Boor, the Mean Man, the Garrulous Man, and others—through vividly staged habits of speech and conduct. Written in lucid Attic Greek, it stands at the crossroads of Aristotelian moral inquiry, New Comedy, and urban social satire, transforming abstract defects of character into memorable scenes from Atheni...

You who are skilled in Alchemy, and as many others as promise yourselves great riches or chiefly desire to make gold and silver, which Alchemy in different ways promises and teaches; equally, too, you who willingly undergo toil and vexations, and wish not to be freed from them, until you have attained your rewards, and the fulfilment of the promises made to you; experience teaches this every day, that out of thousands of you not even one accomplishes his desire. Is this a failure of Nature...

Q. What is the chief study of a Philosopher? A. It is the investigation of the operations of Nature. Q. What is the end of Nature? A. God, Who is also its beginning. Q. Whence are all things derived? A. From one and indivisible Nature. Q. Into how many regions is Nature separated? A. Into four palmary regions. Q. Which are they? A. The dry, the moist, the warm, and the cold, which are the four elementary qualities, whence all things originate. Q. How is Nature differentiated? A. Into male ...