Hi

Anonymousi was a born philosopher or i was a philosopher by birth

They're both correct (with some improvements in punctuation and capitalization.)

Unless you're currently deceased, I'd recommend the present tense.

If you really want to use the past, you could say, "I was born a philosopher."

Regards, - A.

Hi,

i was a born philosopher or i was a philosopher by birth

which on is appropriate ???


I was a born philosopher. This is a standard phrase, meaning that, when I tried something, I found I was naturally very good at it.
eg Driving instruct

Clive"That was very, very good. You are a born driver'.

Hi, Clive.
Don't you find that the same switch to present tense puts the second example in a different light?

If the guy died in a race, we'd say "He was a born driver."

I often hear "I am an X by trade." "I am an X by nature." (by birth) I don't think it necessarily refers

Hi,

I don't see anything odd about saying someone 'was a born driver'. Certainly, like everything one says, it needs a suitable context.

Clive

I think I see your point. Perhaps we're speaking to someone about a third party we've not been associated with for a long time.
He used to be our wheel man when we were robbing banks. He was a born driver.

Thanks for your reply, Clive. [Y]