TSJ Interlude: Was George Washington a Stoic?
Episode description
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Synopsis: Since today is George Washington’s Birthday (a.k.a. Presidents Day) I thought it would be fun to take up the question: Was George Washington a Stoic? The answer is clear not only from biographical accounts but from the way he lived. Additionally, one of the two “non-platitudinous” eulogies given at the time of his death (according to biographer Joseph Ellis) sheds light on what kind of Stoic Washington was – a classification made clearer by Rabbeinu Yonah’s commentary on Mishlei.
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Sources:
- Robertson, Donald J. The Stoicism of George Washington
- Ellis, Joesph J. His Excellency
- Avos 4:1
- Rabbeinu Yonah on Mishlei 16:32
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If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
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Stoic texts:
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Letters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)
The Discourses of Epictetus
The Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus
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