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  Skovoroda, H
  

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Aphorisms by Skovoroda is the first publication where sources for each of Hryhoriy Skovoroda’s sayings are cited. Altogether there are 365 aphorisms – one for each day of the year.

This collection of Skovoroda’s aphorisms, brilliant in their straightforwardness, examines the way to happiness, the rarity and desirability of true love and friendship, the distinction between useful knowledge and purposeless gathering of facts, and the importance of good parenting. Some of Skovoroda’s aphorisms might be perceived as controversial nowadays.

This volume brings together the most diverse selection of quotations from Skovoroda’s writings. Hryhoriy Skovoroda, an 18th-century Ukrainian philosopher, wrote 30 verses (The Garden of Divine Songs), 30 fables (The Kharkiv Fables), a treatise on Christian morality, and 12 philosophical dialogues. There are also, of course, his eloquent letters to his friends.

This selection of quotations from Hryhoriy Skovoroda’s writings provides great insight into the Ukrainian philosopher’s mind. He lived the life he preached. His teachings advocated endeavour to achieve the pinnacle of spiritual happiness while abstaining from earthly pleasures. Understandably, many of his contemporaries found such a lifestyle neither easy nor appealing. His philosophy alarmed some and evoked admiration in others. Many of Skovoroda’s ideas were relevant in his times – and remain such today. The genius of Skovoroda’s aphorisms lies in the elegance of their expression combined with the straightforwardness of their logic.

The book is indexed and includes Hryhoriy Skovoroda’s biography, illustrations, and a bibliography.

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