TWO:We now understand why Protagoras, in the Platonic dialogue bearing his name, should glance scornfully at the89 method of instruction pursued by Hippias, with his lectures on astronomy, and why he prefers to discuss obscure passages in the poets. The quarrel between a classical and a scientific education was just then beginning, and Protagoras, as a Humanist, sided with the classics. Again, he does not think much of the great and sane and noble race of brutes. He would not, like the Cynics, take them as examples of conduct. Man, he says, is naturally worse provided for than any animal; even the divine gift of wisdom would not save him from extinction without the priceless social virtues of justice and reverence, that is, the regard for public opinion which Mr. Darwin, too, has represented as the strongest moralising power in primitive society. And, as the possession of these qualities constituted the fundamental distinction between men and brutes, so also did the advantage of civilisation over barbarism rest on their superior development, a development due to the ethical instruction received by every citizen from his earliest infancy, reinforced through after-life by the sterner correction of legal punishments, and completed by the elimination of all individuals demonstrably unfitted for the social state. Protagoras had no sympathy with those who affect to prefer the simplicity of savages to the fancied corruption of civilisation. Hear how he answers the Rousseaus and Diderots of his time: Note.It does not enter into the plan of this work to study the educational and social aspects of Greek philosophy under the Roman Empire. Those who wish for information on the subject should consult Capess Stoicism, Marthas Moralistes sous lEmpire Romain, Renans Marc-Aurle, chap, iii., Aubertins Snque et Saint Paul, Havets Christianisme et ses Origines, Vol. II., Gaston Boissiers Religion Romaine, Duruys Histoire Romaine, chap, lxi., Friedl?nders Darstellungen aus der Sittengeschichte Roms, Vol. III., chap. v. (5th ed.), and Bruno Bauers Christus und die C?saren.
TWO:"My confession!" Leona Lalage cried."You won't mind?" he said.
