Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarchi Chaeronensis Moralia, Vol 3. Vernardakēs, Grēgorios N., editor. Leipzig: Teubner, 1891.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is an ethical essay that addresses how one should face the adversity of "exile" with reason and philosophical fortitude. The author argues that misfortunes such as exile and dishonor hold no objective weight, but rather their gravity is determined by human subjective judgment. Presenting the concept of humans as "citizens of the universe" (cosmopolitans) whose true homeland is the entire cosmos, the text challenges the grief associated with losing a specific city. Through numerous historical and mythological examples of ancient sages and poets who achieved enduring legacies in foreign lands or quiet islands, the work demonstrates that exile actually brings freedom from troublesome political duties and fosters spiritual self-sufficiency. Ultimately, it concludes with a grand perspective that, in terms of the essence of the soul, all humans are merely travelers and exiles on this earth, offering a profound guide to maintaining inner peace amidst adversity.