The great books of philosophy

Each work in its original language, side by side with a new translation in modern English.

Confucius551–479 BC

Analects論語The Master’s sayings on character, learning, family and government.Coming soon

Laozic. 4th century BC

Dao De Jing道德經The Way that can be told is not the constant Way.Coming soon

Platoc. 428–348 BC

ApologyἈπολογία ΣωκράτουςSocrates on trial for his life, defending the examined life.
EuthyphroΕὐθύφρωνIs something good because the gods love it, or do they love it because it is good?
CritoΚρίτωνSocrates in prison, and the case for not escaping.
PhaedoΦαίδωνSocrates’ last day, and whether the soul survives death.
SymposiumΣυμπόσιονA dinner party, seven speeches, and what love is really for.
RepublicΠολιτείαWhat is justice, and is the just life the happiest? The cave, the philosopher-kings, and the ideal city.

Aristotle384–322 BC

Nicomachean EthicsἨθικὰ ΝικομάχειαHappiness, character, the mean between extremes, and friendship.

Epictetusc. AD 50–135

HandbookἘγχειρίδιονSome things are up to us, and some are not.

Marcus AureliusAD 121–180

MeditationsΤὰ εἰς ἑαυτόνAn emperor’s private notes on how to live.

Niccolò Machiavelli1469–1527

The PrinceIl PrincipeIs it better to be loved or feared? How power is really won and kept.Coming soon

René Descartes1596–1650

Meditations on First PhilosophyMeditationes de Prima PhilosophiaDoubt everything, and see what survives.

David Hume1711–1776

An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingThe 1777 text, with a modern versionWhat can experience actually teach us about cause and effect?

John Stuart Mill1806–1873

On LibertyThe 1859 text, with a modern versionThe case for free speech, and the only reason society may limit your freedom.Coming soon

Friedrich Nietzsche1844–1900

Beyond Good and EvilJenseits von Gut und BöseThe will to power, master and slave morality, and the philosophers of the future.Coming soon

Translations are made with AI (Claude), working from the original text, then edited. Each work says how far it has been reviewed. The original is always beside the English, so anyone can check it. Original texts are in the public domain; translations are free to reuse (CC BY-SA 4.0). This is a preview.