--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... being perpetually charmed by his…" description: "\"... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person; that he wa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg" --- # ... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that… ![“... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person; that he was often carried by force to the baths, and when there he would trace geometrical figures in the ashes of the fire, and with his finger draws lines…” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg) > “... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person; that he was often carried by force to the baths, and when there he would trace geometrical figures in the ashes of the fire, and with his finger draws lines upon his body when it was anointed with oil, being in a state of great ecstasy and divinely possessed by his science.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A scholar became so absorbed in abstract geometry that he ignored basic self‑care, experiencing ecstatic trance-like states while drawing figures on himself. **In simple terms:** Obsessed with geometry, he neglected health and entered ecstatic states. Key Takeaway Balance intellectual pursuits with physical well‑being. Themes obsession self‑neglect ecstasy science Mood introspective warning Type philosophical cautionary When to use this quote - academic research - artistic creation - ritual practices - personal health management Key Concepts geometry altered consciousness self‑care Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure self‑care while deep in study? - When does passion become harmful? A Different Perspective Intense focus can lead to unhealthy neglect of bodily needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ashes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ashes/) [Baths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/baths/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Charmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charmed/) [Divinely Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divinely-possessed-2730639/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drink/) [Ecstasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy/) [Ecstasy Divinely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy-divinely-2730642/) [Familiar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/familiar/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Fingers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fingers/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Geometry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/geometry/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mathematical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematical/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Neglected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neglected/) [Oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oil/) [Perpetually Charmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perpetually-charmed-2730640/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Possessed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed/) [Possessed Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessed-science-2730641/) [Sirens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sirens/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) ## Related quotes > [It has always been thought perfectly womanly to be a scrub- woman in the Legislature and to take care of the spittoons; that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/it-has-always-been-thought-perfectly-womanly-to-be-a-scrub-woman-in/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [People were not charmed with Eglantine because she herself was charming, but because she was charmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ada-leverson/people-were-not-charmed-with-eglantine-because-she-herself-was/) [Ada Leverson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ada-leverson/) > [Few rash of any modern nation have a proper sense of an aesthetical whole; they praise and blame by parts; they are charmed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/few-rash-of-any-modern-nation-have-a-proper-sense-of-an-aesthetical/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I didn't really get London until I read Dickens. Then I was charmed to death by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/feist/i-didn-t-really-get-london-until-i-read-dickens-then-i-was-charmed-to/) [Feist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/feist/) > [I'm a realist all the way. I'm too cynical to be an optimist. But I've lived too much of a charmed life so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-m-a-realist-all-the-way-i-m-too-cynical-to-be-an-optimist-but-i-ve/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [I am not a member of Fat Liberation, nor do I think that obesity is healthy. But I do believe that in many ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/i-am-not-a-member-of-fat-liberation-nor-do-i-think-that-obesity-is/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [When a High Explosive shell bursts in fifteen feet and does you no damage, you can bet your sweet life you bear a charmed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/when-a-high-explosive-shell-bursts-in-fifteen-feet-and-does-you-no/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [I'm living the life that I wanted to live and I'm loving every little thing that I do. Fortunately, I have had a very,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarsem-singh/i-m-living-the-life-that-i-wanted-to-live-and-i-m-loving-every-little/) [Tarsem Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarsem-singh/) > [No siren did ever so charm the ear of the listener as the listening ear has charmed the soul of the siren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-taylor/no-siren-did-ever-so-charm-the-ear-of-the-listener-as-the-listening/) [Henry Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-taylor/) > [The Prince, charmed with these words, and much more with the manner in which they were spoken, knew not how to show his joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-perrault/the-prince-charmed-with-these-words-and-much-more-with-the-manner-in/) [Charles Perrault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-perrault/) > [“The snake had charmed me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/the-snake-had-charmed-me/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [I don't believe in charmed lives. I think that tragedy is part of the lesson you learn to lift yourself up, to pick yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/i-don-t-believe-in-charmed-lives-i-think-that-tragedy-is-part-of-the/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > ['Simon' was such a charmed experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-albertalli/simon-was-such-a-charmed-experience/) [Becky Albertalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-albertalli/) > [I'm really proud to be part of it. I think it's great that the show came back. We have another generation to fall in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ser-darius-blain/i-m-really-proud-to-be-part-of-it-i-think-it-s-great-that-the-show/) [Ser'Darius Blain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ser-darius-blain/) > [Any day alive in this world is a charmed life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-donaldson/any-day-alive-in-this-world-is-a-charmed-life/) [Mark Donaldson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-donaldson/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Ashes quotes > [You can flush my ashes down the toilet, for all I care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-flush-my-ashes-down-the-toilet-for-all-i-care/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-that-is-gold-does-not-glitter-not-all-those-who-wander-are-lost/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't want to have a gravestone. I want to have all my friends burn me and then snort the ashes. I think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-don-t-want-to-have-a-gravestone-i-want-to-have-all-my-friends-burn/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [You know how this is: if I look at the crystal moon, at the red branch of the slow autumn at my window, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-neruda/you-know-how-this-is-if-i-look-at-the-crystal-moon-at-the-red-branch/) [Pablo Neruda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-neruda/) > [He said that he will never let you cry,he will always be there for you no matter how hard the situation is,that he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhra/he-said-that-he-will-never-let-you-cry-he-will-always-be-there-for/) [Zhra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhra/) > [“The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-past-is-to-be-learned-from-but-not-lived-in-we-look-back-to-claim/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Much can they praise the trees so straight and high, The sailing pine,the cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop elm, the poplar never dry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/much-can-they-praise-the-trees-so-straight-and-high-the-sailing-pine/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [When any civilization is dust and ashes," he said, "art is all that's left over. Images, words, music. Imaginative structures. Meaning—human meaning, that is—is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/when-any-civilization-is-dust-and-ashes-he-said-art-is-all-that-s/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/man-is-a-noble-animal-splendid-in-ashes-and-pompous-in-the-grave/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“Bury us, and mark our names above. Let us be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-miller/bury-us-and-mark-our-names-above-let-us-be-free/) [Madeline Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-miller/) > [There is nothing quite like an Ashes trip Down Under.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anderson/there-is-nothing-quite-like-an-ashes-trip-down-under/) [James Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anderson/) > [I think momentum is huge in sport, especially in a series like the Ashes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-think-momentum-is-huge-in-sport-especially-in-a-series-like-the/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [Mark how fleeting and paltry is the estate of man-yesterday in embryo, tomorrow a mummy or ashes. So for the hairsbreadth of time assigned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/mark-how-fleeting-and-paltry-is-the-estate-of-man-yesterday-in-embryo/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“When you burn a bridge, you have to be prepared to live with some ashes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coppernoll/when-you-burn-a-bridge-you-have-to-be-prepared-to-live-with-some-ashes/) [Chris Coppernoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coppernoll/) > [I would rather be ashes than dust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/i-would-rather-be-ashes-than-dust/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) [Browse all 900 Ashes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ashes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink and took no care of his person; that he was often carried by force to the baths, and when there he would trace geometrical figures in the ashes of the fire, and with his finger draws lines upon his body when it was anointed with oil, being in a state of great ecstasy and divinely possessed by his science.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plutarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familiar-siren-that-is-by-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ashes" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familiar-siren-that-is-by-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6fc/plutarch-597_ashes_being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familia_1890853.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“... being perpetually charmed by his familiar siren, that is, by his geometry, he neglected to eat and drink…” — Plutarch", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Plutarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "... being perpetually charmed by his...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familiar-siren-that-is-by-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/being-perpetually-charmed-by-his-familiar-siren-that-is-by-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```