Discovering ancient civilisations is humbling rather than self-aggrandising

Ganzer Text auch hier. Starkes Argument am Ende:

Mr Gardini gives another reason for studying classical languages: “The story of our lives is just a fraction of all history…life began long before we were born.” This is the very opposite of a practical argument—it is a meditative, even self-effacing one. To learn a language because it was spoken by some brilliant people 2,000 years ago is to celebrate the world; not a way to optimise yourself, but to get over yourself.

Quelle: Johnson – The real reason to study the classics | Books & arts | The Economist