15MinuteClassics

Monday, September 21, 2026

Fruits of Solitude Reflection

I AM OFFICIALLY DONE BOOK 1 OF THE HARVARD CLASSICS!

Beyond that, I learned that it's better to just stick with one book (even one like this) than trying to use it as filler in between. I remember basically nothing before the last few chunks of the first book. Second, a little better.

All in all, I think what sticks with me across both books is that you should try to be a decent person, and you'll probably be happier in the long run if you do.

I flipped through my posts, and that seems to come up a lot. And I like it.

Sunday, September 20, 2026

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 23 281-299 (Of Charity)

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 23 281-299 (Of Charity)

Bonus:

Can we get an Onion musical?

Summary: Charity is good. If you don't do charity, you're an inhuman monster.

Commentary:

283. They that feel nothing of this, are at best not above half of Kin to Human Race; since they must have no Bowels, which makes such an Essential Part thereof, who have no more Nature.

If you don't do charity, you ain't human, because you ain't shit!

292. An Universal Remedy against Discord, and an Holy Cement for Mankind.

This is why people who volunteer are less miserable.

Saturday, September 19, 2026

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 22 271-280 (Of Refining upon Other Men’s Actions or Interests)

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 22 271-280 (Of Refining upon Other Men’s Actions or Interests)

Bonus:

Not a good game.

Summary: Don't be so judgey.

Commentary:

271. This seems to be the Master-Piece of our Politicians; But no Body shoots more at Random, than those Refiners.

The Refiners have a high fire rate, but poor aim.

274. If an able Man refines upon the Proceedings of an ordinary Capacity, according to his own, he must ever miss it: But much more the ordinary Man, when he shall pretend to speculate the Motives to the able Man’s Actions: For the Able Man deceives himself by making t’other wiser than he is in the Reason of his Conduct; and the ordinary Man makes himself so, in presuming to judge of the Reasons of the Abler Man’s Actions.

This is the William Penn version of the Dunning Kruger effect.

Friday, September 18, 2026

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 21 254-270 (The Conformist)

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 21 254-270 (The Conformist)

Bonus:

Subs and dubs are not created equal.

Summary: If you've been blessed with a good life, you should use it to help other people.

Commentary:

255. For tho’ he has made of One Blood all Nations, he has not rang’d or dignified them upon the Level, but in a sort of Subordination and Dependency.

All men are not created equal!

Thursday, September 17, 2026

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 20 249-253 (The Conformist)

More Fruits of Solitude by William Penn (1718) Part 20 249-253 (The Conformist)

Bonus:

That's some banger cover art.

Summary: It is okay to conform if it's A. Necessary and B. Not against your Conscience.

Commentary:

253. And yet the Latitudinarian that I love, is one that is only so in Charity; for the Freedom I recommend is no Scepticism in Judgment, and much less so in Practice.

Latitudinarian is a lot of word.