Harry Truman, a great admirer of Plutarch's lives, discusses his fascination with Plutarch and how it shaped his views. He believed in the value of reading Plutarch's lives and used them as a source of wisdom and guidance throughout his political career. Truman shares anecdotes about recommending Plutarch to young protégés and highlights the importance of learning from history and biography to improve interpersonal skills.
Plutarch's lives provide valuable insights into human nature and can serve as a guide for understanding mankind.
Truman emphasized the importance of learning from both heroic figures and villains, as understanding human character is essential for dealing with different personalities and solving people problems.
Deep dives
The Value of Reading Plutarch's Lives
Plutarch's lives provide valuable insights into human nature and can serve as a guide for understanding mankind. Harry Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, recommended reading Plutarch's lives to gain a deeper understanding of war and its connection to human behavior. Truman believed that understanding war was crucial for preventing conflicts. He himself found parallels between Plutarch's accounts and real-life situations, using the lessons learned to overcome political challenges. Truman emphasized the importance of learning from both heroic figures and villains, as understanding human character is essential for dealing with different personalities and solving people problems.
Truman's Personal Connection to Plutarch's Lives
Truman's parents introduced him to Plutarch's lives at a young age, and he continued to read them throughout his life. He regarded Plutarch as one of the greatest writers on politics and found his works to be a valuable resource for understanding human behavior. Truman often found answers to political challenges by drawing from the lessons in Plutarch's lives. He shared an example of how he used an observation about Nero to defeat an opponent in an election. Truman acknowledged the lasting impact of early exposure to great works of literature, highlighting the importance of guiding younger generations towards wisdom and knowledge.