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Literary
June 13, 1808
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
An essay arguing against the folly of celibacy, quoting Roman Emperor Augustus's stern rebuke of bachelors for undermining society and an anecdote of a youth refusing a seat to a childless general.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
CELIBACY.
INNUMERABLE arguments might be drawn, both from nature and reason, to show the weakness and folly of those men who pass their lives in celibacy.
"Ye bachelors," said Augustus, the Roman Emperor, "I know not by what name to call you; not by that of citizen, since the city rights perish for you; for you seem determined to extirpate the human race; for you are guilty of murder, in not engendering those to be born who should proceed from you; you are guilty of sacrilege, in destroying human nature; and by leading a single life, you overturn, as far as in your power, the temples of the Gods, dissolve the government by disobeying its laws, betray your country, and demolish the city, by depriving it of inhabitants."
It was smartly said by a young man, to a great general and a bachelor, who bade him resign his seat; the youth refused, "Because," says he, "you have brought no one into the world, who might hereafter give place to me."
INNUMERABLE arguments might be drawn, both from nature and reason, to show the weakness and folly of those men who pass their lives in celibacy.
"Ye bachelors," said Augustus, the Roman Emperor, "I know not by what name to call you; not by that of citizen, since the city rights perish for you; for you seem determined to extirpate the human race; for you are guilty of murder, in not engendering those to be born who should proceed from you; you are guilty of sacrilege, in destroying human nature; and by leading a single life, you overturn, as far as in your power, the temples of the Gods, dissolve the government by disobeying its laws, betray your country, and demolish the city, by depriving it of inhabitants."
It was smartly said by a young man, to a great general and a bachelor, who bade him resign his seat; the youth refused, "Because," says he, "you have brought no one into the world, who might hereafter give place to me."
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Celibacy
Bachelors
Augustus
Moral Argument
Roman Emperor
Society
Procreation
Literary Details
Title
Celibacy.
Subject
Against Celibacy
Key Lines
"Ye Bachelors," Said Augustus, The Roman Emperor, "I Know Not By What Name To Call You; Not By That Of Citizen, Since The City Rights Perish For You; For You Seem Determined To Extirpate The Human Race; For You Are Guilty Of Murder, In Not Engendering Those To Be Born Who Should Proceed From You; You Are Guilty Of Sacrilege, In Destroying Human Nature; And By Leading A Single Life, You Overturn, As Far As In Your Power, The Temples Of The Gods, Dissolve The Government By Disobeying Its Laws, Betray Your Country, And Demolish The City, By Depriving It Of Inhabitants."
"Because," Says He, "You Have Brought No One Into The World, Who Might Hereafter Give Place To Me."