Ad for “Dr. Eliot’s Five-Foot Shelf of Books” (The Harvard Classics) in “Collier’s Magazine,” January 21, 1928.
“Do you know what few great masterpieces are really worth reading?
“As patriot, sage, and teacher Confucius ranks among the foremost men the world has ever known. You will find his imperishable sayings in Dr. Eliot’s Five-Foot Shelf of Books.
“The ‘Sayings of Confucius’ reflect the moral and political conduct of his ancient day. They also picture the whole dramatic, yes tragic career of this intellectual giant of many centuries.
“Confucius said: ‘Not to be known should not grieve you, grieve that ye know not men.’ The easiest and pleasantest way to read the drama of history is through the eyes and lives of the leading actors.
“As Dr. Eliot points out: ‘It is precisely this encounter with the mental states of other generations which enlarges the outlook and sympathies of the cultured man, and persuades him of the upward tendency of the human race. . . there must be added to that possession acquaintance with the prodigious store of recorded discoveries, experiences and reflections which humanity in its intermittent and irregular progress from barbarism to civilization has acquired and laid up. . .”
[Excerpt from the ad copy]
Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot believed that a careful reading of the 50-volume series of Harvard Classics and following the 11 reading plans included in volume 50 would offer a reader, in the comfort of home, the benefits of a liberal education, entertainment and counsel of history’s greatest creative minds.
The Harvard Classics are now available online for free: www.myharvardclassics.com/categories/20120212
Ad for “Dr. Eliot’s Five-Foot Shelf of Books” (The Harvard Classics) in “Collier’s Magazine,” January 21, 1928.
“Do you know what few great masterpieces are really worth reading?
“As patriot, sage, and teacher Confucius ranks among the foremost men the world has ever known. You will find his imperishable sayings in Dr. Eliot’s Five-Foot Shelf of Books.
“The ‘Sayings of Confucius’ reflect the moral and political conduct of his ancient day. They also picture the whole dramatic, yes tragic career of this intellectual giant of many centuries.
“Confucius said: ‘Not to be known should not grieve you, grieve that ye know not men.’ The easiest and pleasantest way to read the drama of history is through the eyes and lives of the leading actors.
“As Dr. Eliot points out: ‘It is precisely this encounter with the mental states of other generations which enlarges the outlook and sympathies of the cultured man, and persuades him of the upward tendency of the human race. . . there must be added to that possession acquaintance with the prodigious store of recorded discoveries, experiences and reflections which humanity in its intermittent and irregular progress from barbarism to civilization has acquired and laid up. . .”
[Excerpt from the ad copy]
Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot believed that a careful reading of the 50-volume series of Harvard Classics and following the 11 reading plans included in volume 50 would offer a reader, in the comfort of home, the benefits of a liberal education, entertainment and counsel of history’s greatest creative minds.
The Harvard Classics are now available online for free: www.myharvardclassics.com/categories/20120212