How to Tell a Joke
An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor (Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers Series)
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Narrated by:
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Roger Clark
About this listen
Can jokes win a hostile room, a hopeless argument, or even an election? You bet they can, according to Cicero, and he knew what he was talking about. One of Rome's greatest politicians, speakers, and lawyers, Cicero was also reputedly one of antiquity's funniest people. After he was elected commander-in-chief and head of state, his enemies even started calling him "the stand-up Consul". How to Tell a Joke provides a lively new translation of Cicero's essential writing on humor alongside that of the later Roman orator and educator Quintilian. The result is a timeless practical guide to how a well-timed joke can win over any audience.
As powerful as jokes can be, they are also hugely risky. The line between a witty joke and an offensive one isn't always clear. Cross it and you'll look like a clown, or worse. Here, Cicero and Quintilian explore every aspect of telling jokes - while avoiding costly mistakes. Presenting the sections on humor in Cicero's On the Ideal Orator and Quintilian's On the Orator's Education, How to Tell a Joke examines the risks and rewards of humor and analyzes basic types that listeners can use to write their own jokes.
Filled with insight, wit, and examples, including more than a few lawyer jokes, How to Tell a Joke will appeal to anyone interested in humor or the art of public speaking.
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- Length: 2 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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An entertaining and enlightening anthology of classical Greek and Roman writings on animals—and our vital relationships with them.
By: Porphyry, and others
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Cicero: The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician
- By: Anthony Everitt
- Narrated by: John Curless
- Length: 15 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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In this dynamic and engaging biography, Anthony Everitt plunges us into the fascinating, scandal-ridden world of ancient Rome in its most glorious heyday. Accessible to us through his legendary speeches but also through an unrivaled collection of unguarded letters to his close friend Atticus, Cicero comes to life here as a witty and cunning political operator.
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An eloquent man, and a patriot
- By Darwin8u on 01-19-15
By: Anthony Everitt
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How to Do the Right Thing
- An Ancient Guide to Treating People Fairly (Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers Series)
- By: Seneca, Robert A. Kaster - editor translator introduction
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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There are times when we've all felt that we haven't been treated as we deserve—that we've been misjudged, shortchanged, or given a raw deal. And, at one time or another, other people have probably felt that we've treated them just as unfairly. How to Do the Right Thing draws on the principles of ancient Stoicism as articulated by the Roman statesman and philosopher Seneca to help listeners better navigate one of the most important practical questions of daily life—how to do right by others.
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Unnecessary citations
- By Jose on 05-05-24
By: Seneca, and others
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How to Focus
- A Monastic Guide for an Age of Distraction (Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers)
- By: John Cassian, Jamie Kreiner - translator, Jamie Kreiner - selector, and others
- Narrated by: Mike Cooper
- Length: 2 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
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Distraction isn't a new problem. We're also not the first to complain about how hard it is to concentrate. Early Christian monks beat us to it. They had given up everything to focus on God, yet they still struggled to keep the demons of distraction at bay. But rather than surrender to the meandering of their minds, they developed powerful strategies to improve their attention and engagement. How to Focus is an inviting collection of their strikingly relatable insights and advice—frank, funny, sympathetic, and psychologically sophisticated.
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The analogies
- By Luisa Acosta on 08-17-24
By: John Cassian, and others
What listeners say about How to Tell a Joke
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Larry W. Patrick
- 08-27-24
Good stuff!
Fine book! this stoic had a sincere sense of humor. So surprising to have a 2000 year old joke book
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- Anony 2112
- 12-05-23
Funny, modern translation
The performance is great and funny. Many of the jokes don’t land as we lack the cultural knowledge or language to properly place it, but the translator brings as much of Cicero’s humor to us as I’ve ever seen in a translation.
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- Anonymous User
- 04-17-21
Very entertaining and enlightening
Some of the quips did go over my head but I have the physical copy so I can revisit them. Very subtle humor but still holds true to today when it comes to humor. Gives you an insight on the philosophical nature of comedy.
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