Post: #26

(06-18-2016 09:02 PM)Rigsby Wrote:  I like QC's writing. I don't particularly seek certain people out to help me learn how to think. I have that worked out myself. But it's nice to come across a non-intrusive, reflective sort of writer.

The work stands for itself. And sometimes all the work is, is some words on a page, reflecting, ...........

Quintus doesn't so much teach me 'how to think', and to show the experiences and wisdom of both the virtuous and damned, and allow me to reflect on what lessons can be gained myself.

Here this knowledge - what are you going to do with it?

As to the other stuff: I don't want to derail the thread. If you feel the need to offload, hit me up privately, but know that, like Quintus (or even a Hipster like Stuart Murdoch), I will tell you to leave your vision of hell to the dying, and embrace whatever life you have, however limited or reduced.

Post: #27

I see many well expressed appreciations on Quintus' writing, and rightly so. I have my own to add, though it is somewhat gushing so I should first add the obligatory disclaimer.



When I first joined the forum, one of the things that stood out for me was the higher than usual standard of writing. And while I enjoy trite observations, dank memes and pithy linguistic kill shots like anyone else, I've found that my favourite writing is expressed in such a way as to convey gravity, understanding and insight beyond the norm.

And RVF is blessed with a higher than usual percentage of such posters, but even among them QC stands out as a paragon of the pen, whose words almost crackle with latent power. It is a forcefulness of character that cannot be denied.

It is where the voice of man never dies.

Such a voice is well placed to guide men of today through the classic texts and writings of old. QC is right: no one writes like that any more, at least not in the wider domain, where a population desperately in need of this timeless wisdom can find it.

I hope for many more valuable insights from QC, and for a wider audience.

But still WNB.

Post: #28

(06-19-2016 01:07 AM)AnonymousBosch Wrote:  

(06-18-2016 09:02 PM)Rigsby Wrote:  I like QC's writing. I don't particularly seek certain people out to help me learn how to think. I have that worked out myself. But it's nice to come across a non-intrusive, reflective sort of writer.

The work stands for itself. And sometimes all the work is, is some words on a page, reflecting, ...........

Quintus doesn't so much teach me 'how to think', and to show the experiences and wisdom of both the virtuous and damned, and allow me to reflect on what lessons can be gained myself.

Here this knowledge - what are you going to do with it?

As to the other stuff: I don't want to derail the thread. If you feel the need to offload, hit me up privately, but know that, like Quintus (or even a Hipster like Stuart Murdoch), I will tell you to leave your vision of hell to the dying, and embrace whatever life you have, however limited or reduced.

Yes, you're quite right AB. My bad. I apologize for my last post. It was inappropriate. In my defense, I was a little 'out of it' and not in a drunk or drugged manner, but maybe being a little overwhelmed by all-round life events.

And apologies to QC as well, I didn't mean to pollute your post with my personal stuff.

Noted. It won't happen again.

Post: #29

Just a friendly reminder --> Quintus will be releasing his newest book On Duties come 1. of July.

I’ve preordered it. Seems like it will be his best work yet and I eagerly wait to be able to read it.

Post: #30

^ Paperback is available now. I ordered it last night. Really looking forward to it.

Post: #31

On Duties is available now in paperback and Kindle Version.

Currently, I'm reading mine, at the desk with a notebook before me and a pen in hand. It's truly something that needs to be read, studied, discussed and applied in life. Then read again.

I hope Quintus is not mad if I share this quote out of his book made by Cicero on the 'greatness of spirit’ or 'magnitudo animi' in Latin:

A strong and great soul is altogether distinguished by two features. One is the contempt for the external things of this world. The great soul is persuaded that no man ought to wonder at, hope for, or seek after anything except those things related to goodness and virtue, and that he should succumb to neither another man, nor a disturbance of the spirit, nor a trial of Fortune. The second feature is that, when you have molded your soul with this sort of attitude, as I said above, you perform great achievements of the highest utility which are extremely arduous, laborious, and full of danger to life and to many other things related to one’s livelihood.

If you are not persuaded by mere text then listen to the above quote as Quintus himself reads it.

You will, I guarantee, be inspired.

Post: #32

Saw this and am planning to get a copy soon.

Just wish that there was a way to buy directly, rather than through Amazon, which has a history of, and capacity for, censorship - http://www.slate.com/articles/technology...yfour.html

Post: #33

^ Ordered six books the other day, all listed as being in stock.

Books or records always ship within 24 hours.

The two music books ship almost immediately.

Wait five days for the four Manosphere-related books (Quintus, Roosh, Jack Donovan, Adam Piggot) to ship.

Post: #34

Post: #35

Quintus recently recorded a podcast about burnout but sensed a hidden query accompanying the main question.

I invite everyone to give it a listen, because I think it gives a lucid answer to a question/problem a lot of men who are trying to get out of the matrix are facing.

The feeling of disconnection with others.

When he said that in many ways a Man today who tries to do things the correct i.e. the masculine way is a lonely Man something inside of me clicked. A lot of thoughts rushed into my mind, as if a dam broke somewhere and the raging waters came crashing down.

I had to put them onto paper.

What you are about to read is something which was inspired be Quintus, which is why I dedicate it to him.

Hope you guys, especially Quintus, will like it.

The Peak

Sometimes I wonder why I do this.
Sometimes I wonder why I have put myself into such a situation.
Yes, I really do have to wonder sometimes, how it has come to this, that I suffer so much.

It cannot be due to a matter of my heart as I feel it’s every ferocious beat like a scream into my ear to stop and give myself some rest. But I cannot.

It cannot originate out of my mind as it relentlessly tries to coax me with sweet soothing voices, like murmurs from a nymph within a grotto, to stop and give myself some rest. But I cannot.

There is something else which urges me to go on. To not stop, to not rest, but to move, forward. It is truly difficult to describe what this something is and many Men, much wiser than I, have tried, are trying and will try to decipher it.

But maybe they will never find an answer. Maybe it is something that mustn’t be answered or maybe all of us already know the answer and must only find it; within ourselves.

In the midst of my musings another gust of wind blows into my face and only with all my strength I prevent myself from falling down into the depths. Nature, once again, shows me its might and my own insignificance.

I look down and see how much I’ve already made only to look up and see how much I still have to go. My heart and mind are trying, to persuade me to stop from this foolish endeavor, but to no avail as the it heartens me to go on. Forward. Upward.

Slowly I climb and each move I make sends spasms through my body that wish to make me cry out in pain. But I endure, for the body of Man was made to endure. The more I push myself the more I know that I can push myself a little more. Just a bit, a little bit. Until I reach the peak.

I see a rock protruding from the wall, inviting me to grab it. It was quite far away, more so than usually, but it is something I have done a millions time before. Instead of diligently preparing I did it with a half hearted measure. I got cocky.

Fortune does favor the bold, I thought to myself.

I lunged towards it, grabbed it and before I could secure my hold a whirlwind threw me of balance. Desperately I tried to burry my nails into the stone and could hear and feel the futility – my nails simply got torn off.

Fortune is a cruel mistress, I thought to myself.
I was falling into the abyss and darkness came over me.

Why do I do this?
Why has it come to this?
Why do I have to suffer so much?

Because I have to.
Because it had to.
Because I must.

I’ve tried everything else. I’ve diligently followed the masses on the Road. I wonder how the people are. Probably merry as the Road is a simple walkway which offers ample opportunities for distraction. Instead of being where I am I could have been eating, drinking and enjoying myself.

Yet I did all of that but was not satisfied. Walked on the Road, ate, drank and was merry. But what I’ve indulged on did not sate my appetite, what I drank did not quench my thirst and what I’ve laughed at did not make me happy. I numbed myself into a sedated stupor but I was not fulfilled.

After I came to my senses again I’ve realized something terrifying – that I did not know where I am nor how did I get here. Desperately I tried to ask the masses for information and direction but what they said did not make any sense. Their words confused me. My body slumped down and nobody paid any attention.

The Road got me lost.

I walked where I was supposed to, only to find myself astray.
I ate and drank what I was supposed to, only to find myself starved and parched.
I did what I was supposed to, only to find out that I seem to know nothing about the World.

Ah, yes.

This is what I’ve wanted to know all about – the World.

At that precise moment something within me kindled and it urged me to go. Away, on a different path. I stood up and faced the masses. Slowly I started walking against the crowd and felt how they try to turn me around to follow the current once again. Gently at first but with each step I made more forcefully. Until they threw me out.

Never before have I seen so many people but felt so alone at the same time. I wanted to go back, my heart and mind telling me to do so, but the it pushed me onwards. I’ve realized my disconnection with the people – the cord was severed. Strangely enough I was not angry at them or sad because of my predicament. I accepted the fact and started walking, my own way.

I travelled for what seemed like forever through lands unknown until I came before the Mountain. Words can hardly describe it. Gargantuan, beautiful, horrifying, primal. The it beckoned me to start climbing, like an invisible hand guiding me towards the wall to begin my ascent. Having followed it until now I did not see any reason to stop. As I prepared I saw something in the corner of my eye, something strange, something unbelievable – footprints.

They stopped on different places before the Mountain signaling that those who have come before have also begun their climb. Some I followed with my eyes until I’ve lost them on the horizon which meant they must have started somewhere else. Maybe close or far away, but that did not matter.

What mattered was the fact that I was not alone.

I opened my eyes and found myself lying on a slab of stone meters from where I fell. I stood up, shook down the snow from me, grit my teeth and started climbing once more.

Why do I do this?

Because I have to.

As I climb upon the wall not caring for the howling winds as they try to throw me down.

Why has it come to this?

Because it had to.

As I climb upon the wall not caring for the droplets of rain, raging thunder and flashing thunderbolts trying to scare me down.

Why do I have to suffer so much?

Because I must.

I grab onto a ledge and with the last ounces of my strength pull myself over thinking that I’ve made it. As I roll onto my back I see there is still a long way to go. It seems infinite, never-ending. The mountain, Nature itself is mocking my struggle, showing me with kingly arrogance the idiocy of my actions.

Funny, the ignorance of masses did not bother me when I left them but the arrogance of Nature stirred a furry that I’ve never felt before. I screamed at the top of my lungs letting out all of my anger, sadness, desperation and hopelessness.

I tried, I thought to myself.
I gave my best, I thought to myself.

But it was not enough, I thought to myself.
It just was not enough, I thought to myself.
A tear slid down my check for a moment and turned into ice the next.

The chilling winds did not feel cold anymore but like a summer breeze.
The crispy snow like a mother’s blanket.
I closed my eyes once more and saw pure white engulfing me.

It is enough, I thought to myself.
I can finally sleep.

But a noise did not want to let me rest. Bellowing winds? No, the noise was not like that. Thunder? No, the noise was not like that. Snow tumbling down the mountain? No, the noise was not like that. Snow? Snow… footprints upon the snow! Someone was walking towards me!

Before I could react I felt a hand on my shoulder and another rubbing off the blanket from my face. I looked and saw a man. Not a man, but a Man. His eyes clear, his face showing signs of wear and tear. A Man who has seen things, a Man who knows things.

Behind him I observed more shadowy figures which I was able to make out as they got closer. More Men, different sizes, different types, some with grave injuries and some without. Some were missing whole limbs which made me wonder how they got up until this spot until I’ve remembered that there are probably more paths leading up the Mountain.

Each of them lost something but none of them lost the gleam in their eyes. They were luminous and filled with purpose.

The Man who was looking at me nodded and I nodded back. He offered a hand and I pulled myself up. The other Men started marching once again towards the summit. I wanted to join them posthaste but before that I turned around.

The ledge offered a beautiful view of everything I’ve already travelled through and in the distance I could see the masses of people walking on the Road only to realize that the Road has a circular shape. They are literally walking in circles. But do they know it? Even if they did, would they care enough to act?

Before I could answer any of these questions I looked again towards the Man who saved me. He invited me to join them. Instinctively I’ve answered without a saying a thing. I simply started marching with the group and felt something odd within my chest. The it within me got stronger.

Ah, so this is it – the it.

This is what they call the male spirit
This is what they call the Soul.

Is the Soul the World? Or is the World the Soul? Instead of getting an answer I’ve gotten two questions. The fact amused me.

But one thing I did get to know – that I’ll find the answers to all my questions up there, on the Peak, with the Men. Some of us will probably die on our way, but not one of us will give up. We will not allow ourselves to give up.

For we are Brothers seeking the truth about the World.

Now I know why I do this.
I know why I have put myself into such a situation.
Yes, I know how it has come to this, that I suffer so much.

Because I want to know.

Post: #36

For those who missed this QC masterclass in take downs:

'When Education Does Not Mean Knowledge: The Case Of Mark Zuckerberg’s Sister'



Also, see:

- The original thread from Benoit: 'Mark Zuckerberg's sister has a boner for the manosphere'

- The follow-up article from Roosh: 'The Public Humiliation Of Mark Zuckerberg’s Sister'

- The accompanying Podcast With Roosh: 'The Failing Media And Mark Zuckerberg's Sister'

Post: #37

I had the honor of meeting QC in person several times.

Hands down one of the most impressive men I ever met. Full stop.

We are lucky that men like him walk this planet, and are prepared to share their infinite wisdom.

Post: #38

Quintus recently did a podcast with Mark Baxter. Very good 45 minute listen. Always great to hear his wisdom.

Mark's podcast is great. He orchestrates in such a way where the guest really steers the conversation and showcase their thoughts/opinions.

Give it a listen.

https://soundcloud.com/realmarkbaxter/01...us-curtius

Post: #39

As there is no "Pathways" thread, this is the best place to post a review.

I have read Quintus Curtius’s “Pathways – Best Short Essays of 2015” three times. As this is a deep, wide ranging book, I finally feel I can give it a fair review.

The title of the book is not accurate. The title was not the best choice, as it can deceive you to believe that the essays are related to events from 2015. Again, that is not the case. The book casts a wide ranging net, looking at the quest for knowledge, glory, redemption, language study, political correctness, and more.

As the book is a compilation of essays, every person reading it will get something much different and draw different lessons.

If you don’t wish to read my whole review, here is a summary: This is a book that should be highlighted, underlined, page tabbed, and have notes written all over the margins. Each reading of “Pathways” will bring you a different insight. This book is highly recommended for those willing to put in the work and study.

The excerpts below are some of the insights that I found most useful. The extended quotes are reprinted for purposes of this review.


Essay 9: Seeking Peace of Mind: A Letter. Pages 43 – 46

“Our attitudes mold our lives. If we do not adapt our attitudes to our circumstances, we will be like the man who carries a hidden sickness wherever he goes. He travels here and there, always seeking a better environment, but he finds himself equally miserable wherever he is. Why is this? It is because the problem lies in his mind.”

“…Every man has within himself the raw materials to achieve satisfaction. He need not be a great man; he need only be an ordinary man. The key is to align one’s goals with ones abilities. Only time grants the wisdom needed to evaluate both of these things accurately: goals are elusive and will not be known until one is older, and abilities cannot be assessed until one has lived a long life. So time is the necessary crucible here. Once the realization has been made – this alignment of goals and abilities – we become indestructible. We can never be deprived of peace of mind.”


Essay 12: Beauty Seeks Beauty, and Ugly Seeks Ugly. Pages 53 – 55

“…Art therapy is something I’m beginning to respect more and more.
The next time you feel bad, the next time you are feeling depressed or down, visit a museum. Then see what your mood is like after you leave.

I have an explanation for why this happens. I talked about it a little bit in my book Pantheon, in the chapter on Neoplatonism. Our individual souls are drawn upward to seek union with Idea of Beauty, an idea which resides in the Divine Intellect. Every person has this power within themselves, to move upward from Soul to Intellect.

Don’t be afraid to cultivate this mystic side of yourself. It is the ultimate frontier guarded by the fortress of the mind.

It’s an instinct. It is a primeval urge. We couldn’t fight it, even if we wanted to. Beauty seeks out beauty, and ugly seeks out ugly. And something else about this is worth mentioning. When we polish our own souls – when we become more “beautiful” ourselves – we will attract other things of beauty.


Essay 37: Adding Variety to your Fitness Routine. Pages 145 – 149

Quintus points that weight lifting / resistance training should be a given, and should be a foundation of your training. While this is the case, Quintus notes that other qualities matter in order to be a well-rounded human being:

On swimming:
“…You should be able to swim continuously for 45 minutes. You should be able to tread water for an hour. And you should be able to do it with your clothes on…”
“…You should know how to take off your clothes in the water, and turn your trousers into a flotation device…”
“…You should know how to hold your breath and swim underwater for long distances…”

On orienteering:
“Orienteering is a sport that involves finding a number of points on a map, usually in competition with other people, for time.”
“…Orienteering teaches you how to think on your feet. It trains you how to interpret the landscape, how to read a map, how to figure out where you’re going, and how to master spatial relationship.”
“…It also teaches self-reliance, decision making skills, leadership, and even appreciation of nature…”

On mastering an animal:
“In olden days, a man would have learned at an early age how to take control of some animal. A plowman would know how to handle an ox or mule. A soldier would know how to ride a horse.”
“…Why is learning how to control an animal important? For many reasons. If you can dominate an animal, you will gain confidence. You will gain sensitivity. You will gain perception. You will know that if you can make another living being submit to you, you can do it in real life.”

Quintus draws on the USMC physical fitness test for his baseline physical fitness standards:
“An endurance standard of running three miles in eighteen minutes – a very strenuous test.”
“…twenty dead hang pull ups. Eighty sit ups in two minutes…”
“…All round skills matter, and you need fitness and survival skills that get you out of bad situations, and that can complement your other activities”

As far as the USMC standards go, they are strenuous and can be challenging to achieve. However, the real challenge is attaining and keeping those standards throughout your adult life, while traveling, working, raising a family, etc. Do not think it can’t be done, as many people have and continue to do so.


Essay 43: The Rise and Fall of Empires: Ibn Khaldun’s Theory of History. Pages 169 – 173

Many people have recognized that civilizations rise and fall in a predictable cycle over many years. As Quintus says, “Empires are like organisms, and their life trajectories can be plotted like points on a bell curve from their beginnings to their deaths…”

According to Ibn Khaldun (medieval historian), Empires follow predictable stages of growth and development:

1. Nomadic, barbarian tribes move in to occupy a sedentary “civilized” culture by force or infiltration.”
2. The need for order grow now that there is more to govern. Thus the tribal chief takes on the duties of a monarch. Monarchies, Ibn Khaldun correctly notes, are the most common form of government in history for good reason.
3. Slowly a new civilization is created that combines elements of the nomadic conquer with the civilized conquered. New types of cities are created. Achievements in art, architecture, literature, science, and philosophy follow from this hybrid vigor.
4. As wealth and power grow, a slow but sure weakness beings to creep into the hearts of the citizenry. The binding force of religion begins to lose its hold on the minds of men; effeminate qualities being to appear that undermine traditional masculine, martial virtues; and men begin to prefer luxury to work.
5. This luxury and weakness attracts the attention of barbarians on the society’s frontiers. Hungry mouths are drawn to the sight of urbanized weakness. New nomads move in, destroying or changing the civilization, and beginning the cycle again.

This essay alone is worth the price of the book. If those five points cannot inspire you to take action to save Western Civilization, I don’t know what else can.


Essay 55: How to Read a Book. Pages 228 – 232

Quintus has correctly noted that not all books are created equal, and we need to appropriately classify them.

1. Class A: Some books are meant to be thoroughly read, studied, and digested. These are the works of serious literature. It will take effort, concentration, and perhaps reading a commentary on the book. You should take notes, use page tabs, write in the margins, etc.
2. Class B: Some books are meant to be browsed through at a brisk pace, and “strip mined.” Many text books will fall into this category. This is a book that is worth reading, but has useful limited information. Much of it is filler, and is not worth your effort to retain.
3. Class C: Some books are meant to be glossed over quickly. This category will include pulp novels, true crime stories, and other books that create an emotional response. They may not contain a lot of useful information, but may contain good stories. As Quintus says, “knowledge is nothing without imagination. Cultivate your imagination.”

For books that are worthy of keeping (Class A), get the hard copy instead of a digital copy. You will refer to them often.

Pathways is a “Class A” book that clearly worthy of buying the hard copy. If you put it the work, this is a book that can be referred to again and again.

Post: #40

Quintus released a new book: Sallust: The Conspiracy of Catiline and The War of Jugurtha.

Considered the first of the great Roman historians, Sallust has been read for centuries for his penetrating character studies, timeless moral insights, and matchless rhetoric. His profiles of flawed men led inexorably to ruin by excessive ambition or character defects resonate with us today more powerfully than ever.

Intrigue… murder… the lust for power… and the fatal hubris that leads men to their dooms. These are some of the historian’s gripping themes.

Deeply concerned with the moral decay and corruption he saw around him, Sallust’s pragmatic views of historical forces, personalities, and the psychology of power were aided by his own direct participation in the highest levels of Roman politics. “The Conspiracy of Catiline” tells the dramatic story of renegade senator Lucius Catiline’s attempt to seize power in Rome during the waning days of the republic. “The War of Jugurtha” recounts the rise and ultimate destruction of the headstrong Numidian king Jugurtha, who waged an insurgent war against Rome from 112 to 106 B.C.

And as the fates of men play themselves out on the stage of history, strength of character and the will of Fortune will be the ultimate arbiters of human destiny.

The book features:

1. Almost 300 detailed, scholarly footnotes
2. Extended introduction describing the political and military systems of the Roman republic
3. Maps, diagrams, and photographs
4. Topical organization charts
5. Chronological tables
6. Textual commentary
7. Detailed index

And this is why Men should read Sallust, as written by Quintus himself.

Post: #41

The amount of knowledge in this thread is really something else.

Post: #42

I have a rep point from him. I am very proud of that.

Post: #43

Before I joined RVF I actually emailed QC after reading one of his articles, just to share my thoughts and appreciation of his writing. He very quickly responded in a meaningful way. Just an ordinary Jo schmo. That's true dedication. He doesn't show any kind of disconnect between his informal thoughts here on RVF and his more prepared commentary on his website. He's as authentic as they come.

His particular attitude towards dealing with the ails of modern man are very positive, and I am genuinely impressed by his optimistic yet realistic attitude towards it all.

A value added kind of man in every regard. Cheers!

Post: #44

Need to bump this thread. QC's podcast trilogy about GManifesto/MichaelPorfirio is just awesome. By QC's admission it's generated so much buzz he extended what was to be a one and done podcast into 3, and possibly (I am hoping probably) more to come.

Witnessing the sharp and distinguished mind of QC dissect the works of GManifesto is nothing but sheer pleasure. If nothing else, hearing QC's oration of G's tweets and blogposts are laugh out loud funny, to the point my sides hurt. That is not an insult to QC, because he was laughing the entire podcast as well, and it was great to see a lighter side of him and his sense of humor.

This inspired me to scroll through the twitter time lines, and GManifesto and QC have quite a reparté. Allegedly they even met in Tuscany and drank vermouth (where else would such men meet and what else would they drink? Anything else would be soy...)

Few are talking about this....