The Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 04

"The Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 04" by Lucian of Samosata is rife with comedic writings intended to critique society, and humanity in general, through essays and conversations about topics like false accusations, love for one's country, and the real meaning of riches. These writings demonstrate Lucian’s skills in persuasive speaking, as well as a deep-seated fascination in thinking about life’s big questions to make each piece both fun and capable of making people think. The beginning writings in this collection detail the dangers of defamation, showing how lies and carelessness can lead to total disarray, using stories such as the painter Apelles who faced near death due to said defamation as an example; shifting later to conversations considering devotion to one's nation and what it means to value where you come from. This gives a good look into the core of Lucian's critiques of personal and shared values as a whole, presenting a mixture of funniness and profound conversation.