Questions: The following ideas come from texts written by early Renaissance humanists. Sort the ideas based on which humanist belief they best support. You should understand the great poets of Greece and Rome in order to be truly educated. Humanists must copy the works of civilizations from the past so that they can learn from them to create new works. Human beings are powerful, intelligent, and worthy of praise. You were not born to live like animals, but to follow goodness and knowledge. People are naturally good and can become perfect through experience and education. The writings of ancient scholars are valuable and should be studied.

The ideas presented can be sorted based on the specific humanist beliefs they support. Early Renaissance humanism emphasized the value of classical antiquity, the potential of human beings, and the importance of education and moral development. Here is the categorization of the ideas:

1. The value of classical antiquity and the study of ancient texts:

   • "You should understand the great poets of Greece and Rome in order to be truly educated."
   • "Humanists must copy the works of civilizations from the past so that they can learn from them to create new works."
   • "The writings of ancient scholars are valuable and should be studied."

   These ideas reflect the humanist belief in the importance of studying classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome. Renaissance humanists believed that these texts contained valuable knowledge and wisdom that could inform contemporary thought and culture.

2. The potential and dignity of human beings:

   • "Human beings are powerful, intelligent, and worthy of praise."
   • "You were not born to live like animals, but to follow goodness and knowledge."

   These ideas emphasize the humanist belief in the inherent worth and potential of human beings. Renaissance humanists celebrated human intelligence, creativity, and moral capacity, advocating for the pursuit of knowledge and virtue.

3. The belief in human perfectibility through education and experience:

   • "People are naturally good and can become perfect through experience and education."

   This idea supports the humanist belief that individuals have the potential to improve themselves through learning and personal development. Renaissance humanists believed that education was a key tool for achieving moral and intellectual growth.

By categorizing these ideas, we can see how they align with the core beliefs of early Renaissance humanism, which sought to revive classical learning, celebrate human potential, and promote the moral and intellectual development of individuals.