Ad Quintilianum by Robert Louis Stevenson
The work is a poetic tribute that reflects on the themes of education, rhetoric, and the ideal life. It addresses Quintilian, a prominent figure in Roman education, emphasizing the importance of rhetoric in shaping society and the individual. The speaker expresses a desire for a life of simplicity and tranquility, contrasting the pursuit of wealth and power with the value of a modest existence filled with nature and familial bonds. The poem explores the tension between ambition and contentment, highlighting the allure of material success against the backdrop of a peaceful, rural life. The speaker yearns for a return to fundamental values, suggesting that true fulfillment lies not in public accolades or riches but in personal satisfaction and the nurturing of relationships. Throughout the verses, there is a celebration of the pastoral lifestyle, invoking imagery of a harmonious home, the warmth of the hearth, and the beauty of the natural world. The speaker's reflections serve as a critique of societal norms that prioritize ambition over well-being, advocating for a life grounded in simplicity and genuine connections. The work ultimately serves as a meditation on the role of education and rhetoric in shaping character and society, while also presenting a personal manifesto for a life well-lived, rooted in the appreciation of the everyday and the rejection of superficial pursuits.
By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1893 · Genre: Poetry, Classical Literature, Philosophical · 119 words
First lines
O CHIEF director of the growing race, / Of Rome the glory and of Rome the grace, / Me, O Quintilian, may you not forgive / Before from labour I make haste to live? / Some burn to gather wealth, lay hands on rule, / Or with white statues fill the atrium full.
The talking hearth, the rafters sweet with smoke, / Live fountains and rough grass, my line invoke: / A sturdy slave, not too learned wife, / Nights filled with slumber, and a quiet life.
Similar titles
- Happy Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Ad Martialem by Robert Louis Stevenson
- A Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson
- On A Bad Singer by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- Away With Funeral Music by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Counterblast 1886 by Robert Louis Stevenson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Classical Literature — It reflects themes and styles characteristic of classical Roman literature.
- Philosophical — The text explores themes of life, labor, and the pursuit of virtue.
- Satire — It critiques societal values and ambitions through its reflective tone.
Tags
Quintilian · Roman literature · poetry · Renaissance · education · oratory · wealth · simplicity · life · labor · grace · glory
What this Textopian page supports
Ad Quintilianum is listed on Textopian as an essay by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Classical Literature, Philosophical, Satire, Biography
- Length: 119 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ad Quintilianum by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
More by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Treasure Island (1883)
- The Pavilion on the Links (1909)
- Olalla (1885)
- A Child's Garden of Verses (1885)
- Father Damien, An Open Letter To The Reverend Doctor Hyde Of Honolulu (1914)
- A Lowden Sabbath Morn (1916)
- Songs of Travel and Other Verses (1908)
- Prayers Written At Vailima (1916)
- All works by Robert Louis Stevenson