
audiobook
THOUGHTS ON MAN - HIS NATURE, PRODUCTIONS AND DISCOVERIES INTERSPERSED WITH SOME PARTICULARS RESPECTING THE AUTHOR
By William Godwin
Oh, the blood more stirs To rouse a lion, than to start a hare! SHAKESPEARE
PREFACE
THOUGHTS, &c.
ESSAY I. OF BODY AND MIND. - THE PROLOGUE.
ESSAY II. OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF TALENTS. - {Greek—omitted} Thucydides, Lib.I, cap. 84.
SECTION I.
SECTION II.
SECTION III.
This volume gathers a series of meditative essays that examine humanity from many angles—its physical and mental makeup, the way talents are spread, the tension between rebellion and innocence, and the ways leisure and invention shape our lives. Written in a clear, conversational tone, the author deliberately avoids the obscurities of academic treatises, inviting readers of all backgrounds to join his reflections. Though rooted in early nineteenth‑century thought, the ideas resonate with any listener curious about the forces that drive our individual and collective choices.
Listening to these essays feels like a quiet conversation with a thoughtful companion who values both reason and compassion. The author’s optimism about human potential encourages you to question assumptions about morality, liberty, and the very nature of progress. Whether you’re drawn to discussions of the mind‑body relationship, the role of benevolence, or the fleeting span of youth, the work offers steady, engaging material for contemplation without demanding prior philosophical training.
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (664K characters)
Release date
1996-12-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1756–1836
A bold English thinker and novelist, he became one of the earliest major voices for political reform and philosophical anarchism. He is also remembered for his close connection to two literary trailblazers: Mary Wollstonecraft, whom he married, and their daughter Mary Shelley.
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