
Discourses of the Elders
The Aztec Huehuetlatolli: A First English Translation
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $13.75
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Gary Tiedemann
About this listen
Western philosophers have long claimed that God, if such a being exists, is a personal force capable of reason, and that the path to a good human life is also the path to a happy one. But what if these claims prove false, or at least deeply misleading? The Aztecs of central Mexico had a rich philosophical tradition, recorded in Latin script by Spanish clergymen and passed down for centuries in the native Nahuatl language—one of the earliest transcripts being the Huehuetlatolli, or Discourses of the Elders, compiled by Friar Andres de Olmos circa 1535.
The Discourses consists of short conversations between elders and young people on how to achieve a meaningful and morally sound life. Their core values relied on collective responsibility and group wisdom, not individual thought and action, orienting life around one's actions in this realm rather than an afterlife, distinctly opposed to Christian beliefs.
Sebastian Purcell's proficiency in Nahuatl, which his grandmother also spoke in contemporary form, brings to light the Aztec ethical landscape in brilliant clarity. Never before translated into English in its entirety, Discourses of the Elders reflects the wisdom communicated by oral tradition and proves that philosophy can be active, communal, and grounded not in a "pursuit of happiness" but rather the pursuit of a meaningful life.
©2023 L. Sebastian Purcell (P)2023 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
- A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
- By: Anne Fadiman
- Narrated by: Pamela Xiong
- Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When three-month-old Lia Lee arrived at the county hospital emergency room in Merced, California, a chain of events was set in motion from which neither she nor her parents nor her doctors would ever recover. Lia's parents, Foua and Nao Kao, were part of a large Hmong community in Merced, refugees from the CIA-run "Quiet War" in Laos.
-
-
Good audiobook but narrator struggles with basic pronunciation
- By Kate on 06-04-15
By: Anne Fadiman
-
Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon
- By: Recorded Books
- Narrated by: Adrian Cronauer
- Length: 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...." The author's name in Hebrew was Koheleth, but the Greek translators of the Old Testament rendered it as Ecclesiastes. Nothing is known about his life, but without his words, our language would be missing some of the most beautiful passages ever written.
-
-
sound quality the only problem
- By Rachel on 08-06-05
By: Recorded Books
-
Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- By: Seneca, Robin Campbell
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeing self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', the Stoic philosophy called for the restraint of animal instincts and the importance of upright ethical ideals and virtuous living. Seneca's writings are a profound, powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
-
-
Returned - Not "Unabridged"
- By Michael Augustus Ennis on 12-03-21
By: Seneca, and others
-
The Qur'an
- A New Translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem
- By: M. A. S. Abdel Haleem - translator
- Narrated by: Ayman Haleem
- Length: 19 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Qur'an, believed by Muslims to be the word of God, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago. It is the supreme authority in Islam and the living source of all Islamic teaching; it is a sacred text and a book of guidance that sets out the creed, rituals, ethics, and laws of the Islamic religion. It has been one of the most influential books in the history of literature. Recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic, it has nevertheless remained difficult to understand in its English translations.
-
-
Missing chapter 44
- By Anonymous User on 05-29-19
-
The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible
- What Their Stories Teach Us About Thriving
- By: Mary E. DeMuth
- Narrated by: Mary E. DeMuth
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Looking at Eve, Leah, Bathsheba, the Proverbs 31 Woman, and others, listeners will learn what these women can teach us about ourselves. Author Mary DeMuth combines her storytelling and scholarly skills to create a truly unique book that will help women understand misunderstanding, moving through and beyond it toward soul health.
-
-
This is one book I want my daughter to listen to the leader in the church!
- By Drew Nietert on 04-29-22
By: Mary E. DeMuth
-
Discourses and Selected Writings
- By: Epictetus, Robert Dobbin
- Narrated by: Richard Goulding
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Epictetus, a Greek stoic and freed slave, ran a thriving philosophy school in Nicropolis in the early second century AD. His animated discussions were celebrated for their rhetorical wizardry and were written down by Arrian, his most famous pupil. Together with the Enchiridion, a manual of his main ideas, and the fragments collected here, The Discourses argue that happiness lies in learning to perceive exactly what is in our power to change and what is not, and in embracing our fate to live in harmony with god and nature.
-
-
Outstanding Audible Title and performance
- By H. D. Martinez on 05-01-21
By: Epictetus, and others
-
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down
- A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors, and the Collision of Two Cultures
- By: Anne Fadiman
- Narrated by: Pamela Xiong
- Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When three-month-old Lia Lee arrived at the county hospital emergency room in Merced, California, a chain of events was set in motion from which neither she nor her parents nor her doctors would ever recover. Lia's parents, Foua and Nao Kao, were part of a large Hmong community in Merced, refugees from the CIA-run "Quiet War" in Laos.
-
-
Good audiobook but narrator struggles with basic pronunciation
- By Kate on 06-04-15
By: Anne Fadiman
-
Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon
- By: Recorded Books
- Narrated by: Adrian Cronauer
- Length: 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...." The author's name in Hebrew was Koheleth, but the Greek translators of the Old Testament rendered it as Ecclesiastes. Nothing is known about his life, but without his words, our language would be missing some of the most beautiful passages ever written.
-
-
sound quality the only problem
- By Rachel on 08-06-05
By: Recorded Books
-
Letters from a Stoic
- Penguin Classics
- By: Seneca, Robin Campbell
- Narrated by: Julian Glover
- Length: 7 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seeing self-possession as the key to an existence lived 'in accordance with nature', the Stoic philosophy called for the restraint of animal instincts and the importance of upright ethical ideals and virtuous living. Seneca's writings are a profound, powerfully moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
-
-
Returned - Not "Unabridged"
- By Michael Augustus Ennis on 12-03-21
By: Seneca, and others
-
The Qur'an
- A New Translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem
- By: M. A. S. Abdel Haleem - translator
- Narrated by: Ayman Haleem
- Length: 19 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Qur'an, believed by Muslims to be the word of God, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago. It is the supreme authority in Islam and the living source of all Islamic teaching; it is a sacred text and a book of guidance that sets out the creed, rituals, ethics, and laws of the Islamic religion. It has been one of the most influential books in the history of literature. Recognized as the greatest literary masterpiece in Arabic, it has nevertheless remained difficult to understand in its English translations.
-
-
Missing chapter 44
- By Anonymous User on 05-29-19
-
The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible
- What Their Stories Teach Us About Thriving
- By: Mary E. DeMuth
- Narrated by: Mary E. DeMuth
- Length: 6 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Looking at Eve, Leah, Bathsheba, the Proverbs 31 Woman, and others, listeners will learn what these women can teach us about ourselves. Author Mary DeMuth combines her storytelling and scholarly skills to create a truly unique book that will help women understand misunderstanding, moving through and beyond it toward soul health.
-
-
This is one book I want my daughter to listen to the leader in the church!
- By Drew Nietert on 04-29-22
By: Mary E. DeMuth
-
Discourses and Selected Writings
- By: Epictetus, Robert Dobbin
- Narrated by: Richard Goulding
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Epictetus, a Greek stoic and freed slave, ran a thriving philosophy school in Nicropolis in the early second century AD. His animated discussions were celebrated for their rhetorical wizardry and were written down by Arrian, his most famous pupil. Together with the Enchiridion, a manual of his main ideas, and the fragments collected here, The Discourses argue that happiness lies in learning to perceive exactly what is in our power to change and what is not, and in embracing our fate to live in harmony with god and nature.
-
-
Outstanding Audible Title and performance
- By H. D. Martinez on 05-01-21
By: Epictetus, and others
-
Brilliant as the Sun
- A retelling of Srimad Bhagavatam: Canto Four: Krishna Fulfils All Desires
- By: Krishna Dharma, Chintamani Dhama Dasi
- Narrated by: Krishna Dharma
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the four enthralling histories in this volume of Srimad Bhagavatam, we find out how Krishna reciprocates to whatever desire we have. Through the examples of great kings, gods, and celestials, we learn how to approach Krishna to attain all of life’s important goals. We hear the teachings of great sages, divine incarnations, and the Lord himself, which enable us to ultimately achieve the highest perfection: eternal life in the spiritual atmosphere.
-
-
Excellent!
- By Kris Langley on 05-26-23
By: Krishna Dharma, and others
-
An Introduction to the Devout Life: Tan Classics
- By: Francis de Sales
- Narrated by: Kevin O'Brien
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As no sensible person would make a long road trip without first consulting a map, so the person intent upon gaining Heaven should first resort to a competent guide to reach that Goal of all goals. And no better guide to Heaven exists than An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church. It is at once easy to listen, being laid out in short sections, yet thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind and gentle - a mirror of its author. It is an audiobook, moreover, for all, because all are called to the devout life.
-
-
Great audio
- By Anne on 12-31-22
By: Francis de Sales
-
Dante's Inferno
- A Study on Part I of The Divine Comedy
- By: Anthony Esolen PhD
- Narrated by: Anthony Esolen PhD
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With Professor Esolen you will enter the terrible gates of Hell and progress level by infernal level to its diabolical depths. Professor Esolen places a special emphasis on the drama of the poem, leading you through each canto in succession. Professor Esolen will more than satisfy your curiosity about Hell and the fate of the damned. He will reveal in all its starkness the horror of sin and awaken in your heart a longing for divine love.
-
-
THIS IS A LECTURER
- By Amazon Customer on 05-22-21
-
And It Was Good
- Reflections on Beginnings (The Genesis Trilogy, Book 1)
- By: Madeleine L'Engle, Rachel Held Evans - Foreword
- Narrated by: Pamela Almand
- Length: 6 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This classic work of spirituality from the author of A Wrinkle in Time offers life-transforming insights on the rich heritage of the Bible and shows how the characters of this ancient text are relevant for living the good life now. In the first book of her Genesis Trilogy, beloved author Madeleine L'Engle casts long, loving, and perceptive glances not only at the created universe but also at its Creator.
-
-
interesting book
- By Naomi Gardner on 08-21-19
By: Madeleine L'Engle, and others
-
Mesillat Yesharim
- The Path of the Just
- By: Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
- Narrated by: Josh Bloomberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The classic work by Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, one of the modern-day sages of Jewish literature. This work is universally studied across all sectors of Jewish learning and is indisputably recognized as the foremost work in Jewish ethics and self-improvement. In the author's own words: "I have written this work not to teach men what they do not know, but to remind them of what they already know and is very evident to them, for you will find in most of my words only things which most people know, and concerning which they entertain no doubts."
-
-
A great book that you can read multiple times.
- By Ekaterina on 07-18-21
-
The Meditations: An Emperor's Guide to Mastery
- By: Marcus Aurelius, Ancient Renewal, Sam Torode - translator
- Narrated by: Sam Torode
- Length: 2 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to think clearly, act purposefully, overcome any obstacle, and find peace and happiness along the way. The Meditations is a collection of Marcus' personal journal entries. They were not intended for publication but to remind Marcus himself of his principles and priorities. As a result, they are intimate, direct, and extremely useful. This new edition is rendered in contemporary English, with a foreword by Sam Torode.
-
-
Stoic philosophy at its finest
- By Mac on 09-24-19
By: Marcus Aurelius, and others
-
The Wisdom of the Native Americans
- By: Kent Nerburn
- Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab
- Length: 4 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Taken from writings, orations, and recorded observations of life, this audiobook selects the best of Native American wisdom and distills it to its essence in short, digestible quotes - perhaps even more timely now than when they were first written. In addition to the short passages, this edition includes the complete "Soul of an Indian", as well as other writings by Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), one of the great interpreters of American Indian thought, and three great speeches by Chiefs Joseph, Seattle, and Red Jacket.
-
-
True insightful sacred wisdom to last a lifetime..
- By Prometheus Worley on 02-20-18
By: Kent Nerburn
-
The Praise of Folly/Against War
- By: Desiderius Erasmus
- Narrated by: Georgina Sutton, Leighton Pugh
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'The Praise of Folly', written in Latin in 1509 and spoken by the goddess Folly (who champions a lively enjoyment of life), was a bold satire on (in the cautious contemporary environment) not only Western classical traditions but also the Catholic Church. Dedicated to More himself, Erasmus wittily challenged entrenched views in so forthright (and humanist) a style that it could have brought him in direct conflict with the papacy. Fortunately the pope, Leo X, enjoyed the humour and the challenge!
-
-
pretty funny
- By Christopher Hayler on 04-19-23
-
The Moral Epistles
- 124 Letters to Lucilius
- By: Seneca the Younger
- Narrated by: James Cameron Stewart
- Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Towards the end of his life, Seneca the Younger (c4 BCE-65 CE) began a correspondence with a friend in Sicily, later collected under the title The Moral Epistles. In these 124 letters, Seneca expresses, in a wise, steady and calm manner, the philosophy by which he lived - derived essentially from the Stoics. The letters deal with a variety of specific topics - often eminently practical - such as 'On Saving Time', 'On the Terrors of Death', 'On True and False Friendships', 'On Brawn and Brains' and 'On Old Age and Death'.
-
-
Outstanding!
- By zen cowboy on 01-31-16
-
The Gospel of Ramakrishna
- By: Swami Abhedananda
- Narrated by: Clay Lomakayu
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Christlike character and divine personality of Bhagavân Srî Râmakrishna is revered and worshiped in India today as an ideal manifestation of the divine glory. His life was so extraordinary and unparalleled that within 10 years after his departure from earth, it aroused the admiration, wonder, and reverence not only of all classes of people in his own country, but of many distinguished English and German scholars of the 19th century.
-
-
If you're involved with Vedanta or are interested
- By Yetanotherguy on 02-13-20
-
Proverbs: Wisdom from Above (The Passion Translation)
- By: Brian Simmons
- Narrated by: Brian Simmons
- Length: 2 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The book of Proverbs is packed with incredible secrets of wisdom that awaken our hearts! We can expect a download of heavenly insights into our destinies, relationships, careers, finances, and every other aspect of our lives. Loaded with footnotes that clarify the sacred text, this translation will unfold the meaning of the proverbs written by King Solomon.
-
-
Excellent
- By gary on 05-23-15
By: Brian Simmons
-
Seeing Green
- Don't Let Envy Color Your Joy
- By: Tilly Dillehay
- Narrated by: Kate Marcin
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Join Tilly Dillehay as she uncovers seven common sources of envy and challenges you to change the way you think about God's glory. In doing so, you will learn to rejoice with others, you will experience greater contentment, and you will discover how to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
-
-
Convicting
- By S. Honeycutt on 08-07-24
By: Tilly Dillehay