go to the fountain head

Combine public life with philosophical life

“as there are three kinds of life, the practical, the contemplative, and the life of enjoyment, and of these three the one devoted to enjoyment is a paltry and animal life, and the practical without philosophy an unlovely and harsh life, and the contemplative without the practical a useless life, so we must endeavour with all our power to combine public life with philosophy as far as circumstances will permit”

Philosophy is the most important and critical branch of study

“Philosophy, therefore, ought to be regarded as the most important branch of study”

“Pis aller” is a French phrase that translates to “last resort” or “if all else fails” in English. It’s used to describe a solution or choice that is considered only after all preferable alternatives have been exhausted or are unavailable. It often carries a connotation of reluctance or dissatisfaction, implying that the option is far from ideal but is the only one remaining.

“it is well to sail round many cities, but advantageous to live in the best. It was a witty remark of the philosopher Bion,21 that, as those suitors who could not seduce Penelope took up with her maids as a pis aller, so those who cannot attain philosophy wear themselves out in useless pursuits”

Excerpt From
Plutarch’s Morals
Plutarch
https://books.apple.com/us/book/plutarchs-morals/id511195428
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