This eloquent treatise defends the role of learning and the arts in an age of ignorance and vice. The author argues that education and culture are essential for human flourishing, and that they must be protected from the attacks of those who seek to undermine them. Through examples and anecdotes from history and literature, the author makes a compelling case for the power of language and ideas to shape society and inspire individual excellence.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.