Asceticism
Illustration★★★Varieties of Three forms of asceticism have existed in this weak world. Religious asceticism, being the refusal of pleasure and knowledge, as was supposed, for the sake of religion, seen chiefly in the middle ages. Military asceticism, being the refusal of pleasure and knowledge for the sake of power; seen chiefly in the early days of Sparta and Rome. And monetary asceticism, consisting in the refusal of pleasure and knowledge for the sake of money, seen in the present days of London and Manchester.
— Ruskin
The point
Distinguishes three historical forms of asceticism—religious (medieval), military (Sparta and Rome), and monetary (modern industrial cities)—as different refusals of pleasure for different ends.
Tone
Analytical
To tell aloud
under a minute · 85 words
Subjects