(After reading chapter 1 of Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood, by George MacDonald)
I am looking forward to reading this book. My copy is from the library, and part of me wishes I had my own so I could "mark it up," underlining, highlighting, making notes in the margins. There are pearls all over the place. I guess in the absence of having my own copy, I can enjoy using my copybook and journal for copying down quotes and for making notes. After all, truly owning a book has nothing to do with having your own paper copy. Truly owning a book is when you have taken it in, and you have learned from it those things God would have you learn from it; the parts that God wants to apply to your life have been applied. If I want to read it again someday, I can get it from the library again or I can get a copy of my own.
I think this book will be edifying concerning living a quiet life for God. Even if my life expands and doesn't stay quiet, the blessings of understanding how to enjoy the "little things" will greatly enhance my life and the lives of those my life touches. All big things are made up of many little things anyway, so I might as well learn how to enjoy and appreciate all those little things.
In chapter 1 of Annals of a Quiet Neighbourhood, after a few pleasantly thought-provoking remarks, the narrator starts out telling his story from a standpoint of feeling depressed. He goes for a walk in the gloomy, rainy, muddy, boggy weather to take a look at the area outside his new residence, for he has just moved there. The weather mirrors and only seems to deepen the depression and lethargy.
The narrator meets a man on his walk, and feels so low that he doesn't even want to acknowledge the man, but the man interrupts his low thoughts because the man wants to meet him, wants to see his face in person before seeing it behind the pulpit; the narrator is going to be the minister of the church for the people in the area.This elderly man the narrator meets gives the narrator the gift of seeing needs he may be able to fill, and also opens his eyes to something he knows God wants him to keep in mind as he starts his new position--to be the same person behind the pulpit as he is the rest of the time.
As he parts from the old man, he realizes everything looks a little prettier, the depression begins to lift. The sun comes out as if to confirm this newness of life and perspective. And just then, he overhears a little boy saying something to his "Auntie," something that inspires the narrator. The words of the little boy are like the sunshine giving a ray of hope, and the narrator suddenly realizes that in such a small way, a big difference was made. That ray of sunshine, that ray of hope that came out of the boy's mouth, made all the difference in the world to him.
He saw that to make the smallest difference, even to give one person a single ray of hope, is more important and satisfying than all the exciting riches the world might have to offer.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Monday, December 3, 2012
Does trusting someone to be honorable help them to be honorable?
(After reading The History, by Herodotus [c.484-c.425 B.C.], Book 4, chapter 196)
Herodotus tells us that the Carthaginians told of a country they made trade with in northern Africa beyond the promontories of the Strait of Gibraltar. The custom with this country was that the Carthaginians would take the wares out of their ships and put them on the land along the beach and then return to their ships and raise a great smoke. The natives, seeing the smoke, would come to see what wares were laid out for them and would put an amount of gold out and then retreat. The Carthaginians would come ashore to see how much gold was laid out; if the amount was sufficient in exchange for the wares, they would take the gold and depart in their ships. If the amount was not enough, the Carthaginians would leave the gold on shore and go back to their ships and wait. The natives would bring more gold and lay it out and again retreat. The Carthaginians would again come and see how much gold was laid out, and if sufficient, they would take the gold and leave. If not, the Carthaginians would leave the gold there and go back to their ships and wait while the natives brought out more gold. This process would continue until the amount of gold came up to the value of the wares. After the Carthaginians departed with their gold and their ships, the natives would take the goods.
Apparently, the Carthaginians never touched the gold until enough was there to pay for the wares, and the natives never took any of the wares until the Carthaginians had taken away the gold.
This story may or may not be true; Herodotus simply tells us what he was told. This story, whether it is true or not, is a testimony to believing in the good will of people and of trusting one another. If nothing else, it testifies that someone was willing to believe this story long enough to tell it, and that Herodotus considered it at least possibly true, since he included it in his histories. I want the story to be true, because it sings good tidings. It says that if we trust someone to be honorable, he will be honorable. It speaks of the honor system, something many of us have forgotten about with all the bad news we hear on television and internet.
Do you think this story is true?
Do you think that if we trust someone to be honorable, it will help them to be honorable?
I would love to hear your comments. I encourage you to reply to this post with some thoughts of your own.
* * *
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Herodotus tells us that the Carthaginians told of a country they made trade with in northern Africa beyond the promontories of the Strait of Gibraltar. The custom with this country was that the Carthaginians would take the wares out of their ships and put them on the land along the beach and then return to their ships and raise a great smoke. The natives, seeing the smoke, would come to see what wares were laid out for them and would put an amount of gold out and then retreat. The Carthaginians would come ashore to see how much gold was laid out; if the amount was sufficient in exchange for the wares, they would take the gold and depart in their ships. If the amount was not enough, the Carthaginians would leave the gold on shore and go back to their ships and wait. The natives would bring more gold and lay it out and again retreat. The Carthaginians would again come and see how much gold was laid out, and if sufficient, they would take the gold and leave. If not, the Carthaginians would leave the gold there and go back to their ships and wait while the natives brought out more gold. This process would continue until the amount of gold came up to the value of the wares. After the Carthaginians departed with their gold and their ships, the natives would take the goods.
Apparently, the Carthaginians never touched the gold until enough was there to pay for the wares, and the natives never took any of the wares until the Carthaginians had taken away the gold.
This story may or may not be true; Herodotus simply tells us what he was told. This story, whether it is true or not, is a testimony to believing in the good will of people and of trusting one another. If nothing else, it testifies that someone was willing to believe this story long enough to tell it, and that Herodotus considered it at least possibly true, since he included it in his histories. I want the story to be true, because it sings good tidings. It says that if we trust someone to be honorable, he will be honorable. It speaks of the honor system, something many of us have forgotten about with all the bad news we hear on television and internet.
Do you think this story is true?
Do you think that if we trust someone to be honorable, it will help them to be honorable?
I would love to hear your comments. I encourage you to reply to this post with some thoughts of your own.
* * *
Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Monday, November 26, 2012
One Way You Won't Gain Fulfillment
(After reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, Chapters 12-20)
Dorian Gray lived his life doing whatever he wanted with no negative effects on his body. The negative effects were transferred to a certain painting of him instead.
Dorian was a beautiful man. His body did not age beyond the youthful beauty of his early adulthood. When he committed evil deeds, the cruel look that a man's mouth and eyes might begin to acquire through such deeds did not come upon him. Worry lines and the mocking look that he deserved to carry did not touch him. The burden of all those effects was placed on the painting. Dorian would look at the painting of himself turned ugly by his thoughts and deeds, with a twisted sense of pleasure, seeing what he deserved but did not have to account for. His own face retained a peaceful look of youthful innocence and uprightness.
As a result, Dorian did whatever he wanted to do. He had no fear of consequences. He fed all his appetites freely and was cruel to people if it did not suit him to be kind. He lived a life of extravagance and worldly pleasure. He took what he wanted and escaped from reality whenever he wanted and however he wanted. And yet...
He was not happy. Those temporary pleasures ceased to please him. He got bored with them. He became bored with life. His self-indulgence grew worse in an attempt to find satisfaction, but that emptiness could not be satisfied with worldly things. He committed wicked acts, because the only person he ever thought about was himself. His wickedness grew until it was perverse and dangerous. He committed murder, even, and felt justified in it because the other person made him angry by telling him the truth.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a study on what it would be like to live for worldly pleasures. The results of such an experience, lived through Dorian Gray, were completely unsatisfactory, an utter failure. Dorian Gray shows us that living for pleasure cannot bring happiness. Having everything we want cannot bring happiness.
Earthly things and pleasures will not give us fulfillment. For fulfillment, we must look beyond instant gratification, beyond earthly pleasures, beyond what we think we want, beyond living only for ourselves.
Related articles:
A Portrait Of Dorian Gray … in each one of us
That Which Truly Satisfies
There are more important things…
If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late.
That which satisfies
Distractions
Dorian Gray lived his life doing whatever he wanted with no negative effects on his body. The negative effects were transferred to a certain painting of him instead.
Dorian was a beautiful man. His body did not age beyond the youthful beauty of his early adulthood. When he committed evil deeds, the cruel look that a man's mouth and eyes might begin to acquire through such deeds did not come upon him. Worry lines and the mocking look that he deserved to carry did not touch him. The burden of all those effects was placed on the painting. Dorian would look at the painting of himself turned ugly by his thoughts and deeds, with a twisted sense of pleasure, seeing what he deserved but did not have to account for. His own face retained a peaceful look of youthful innocence and uprightness.
As a result, Dorian did whatever he wanted to do. He had no fear of consequences. He fed all his appetites freely and was cruel to people if it did not suit him to be kind. He lived a life of extravagance and worldly pleasure. He took what he wanted and escaped from reality whenever he wanted and however he wanted. And yet...
He was not happy. Those temporary pleasures ceased to please him. He got bored with them. He became bored with life. His self-indulgence grew worse in an attempt to find satisfaction, but that emptiness could not be satisfied with worldly things. He committed wicked acts, because the only person he ever thought about was himself. His wickedness grew until it was perverse and dangerous. He committed murder, even, and felt justified in it because the other person made him angry by telling him the truth.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is a study on what it would be like to live for worldly pleasures. The results of such an experience, lived through Dorian Gray, were completely unsatisfactory, an utter failure. Dorian Gray shows us that living for pleasure cannot bring happiness. Having everything we want cannot bring happiness.
Earthly things and pleasures will not give us fulfillment. For fulfillment, we must look beyond instant gratification, beyond earthly pleasures, beyond what we think we want, beyond living only for ourselves.
Related articles:
A Portrait Of Dorian Gray … in each one of us
That Which Truly Satisfies
There are more important things…
If you’re still breathing, it’s not too late.
That which satisfies
Distractions
Friday, November 23, 2012
Staying Aware That We Don't Know Everything
(After reading Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water, pp. 129-169, Chapters 7 and 8)
As soon as we think we know it all, we have made ourselves entirely ignorant. It is ignorant to think that we know everything. It is ignorant to think that we've got it all figured out. It is ignorant to think there is nothing more to learn.
There is so much more about life, about ourselves, about creation, about God, about the world we can see, and about the world we can't see, that we don't know. There is always more that we don't know than that which we know. We are always functioning on just knowing a tiny bit of the whole picture, with the whole picture being millions of times, infinitely as many times, as big as what we know. What we know is just the tip of the iceberg, the single cell compared to the entire body, a freckle compared to the universe.
When we know that we don't know much, then we also know that there is so much more to find out. Life is exciting! It can never grow old, for there is always so much new! There are questions we can ask, and we may or may not ever discover the answer, but just asking the question is an adventure.
As we observe the world and life, as long as we stay aware that we don't know much at all compared to what we don't know, we are ready to learn more, we are ready to gain wisdom. But if that wisdom causes us to feel pride, our pride makes us become ignorant again. It is well to remain aware that there is more that we don't know than what we do know.
Since we realize we know so little, we certainly cannot judge someone else and consider them ignorant compared to us. It would be ridiculous to think that we have it all right and they have it all wrong, since we certainly don't own the big picture, either. We can give other people full respect, knowing they are in the same boat with us, going for the same exciting ride on this planet as we are. If their opinions differ from ours, that's great, and it doesn't have to come between us. We can love them no matter what they think. We are all still learning.
As soon as we think we know it all, we have made ourselves entirely ignorant. It is ignorant to think that we know everything. It is ignorant to think that we've got it all figured out. It is ignorant to think there is nothing more to learn.
There is so much more about life, about ourselves, about creation, about God, about the world we can see, and about the world we can't see, that we don't know. There is always more that we don't know than that which we know. We are always functioning on just knowing a tiny bit of the whole picture, with the whole picture being millions of times, infinitely as many times, as big as what we know. What we know is just the tip of the iceberg, the single cell compared to the entire body, a freckle compared to the universe.
When we know that we don't know much, then we also know that there is so much more to find out. Life is exciting! It can never grow old, for there is always so much new! There are questions we can ask, and we may or may not ever discover the answer, but just asking the question is an adventure.
As we observe the world and life, as long as we stay aware that we don't know much at all compared to what we don't know, we are ready to learn more, we are ready to gain wisdom. But if that wisdom causes us to feel pride, our pride makes us become ignorant again. It is well to remain aware that there is more that we don't know than what we do know.
Since we realize we know so little, we certainly cannot judge someone else and consider them ignorant compared to us. It would be ridiculous to think that we have it all right and they have it all wrong, since we certainly don't own the big picture, either. We can give other people full respect, knowing they are in the same boat with us, going for the same exciting ride on this planet as we are. If their opinions differ from ours, that's great, and it doesn't have to come between us. We can love them no matter what they think. We are all still learning.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Consequences Make Us Wiser
(After reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde, Chapter 11)
It is a good thing there are consequences for what we do. Consequences are a second chance to learn something. Our first chance to learn something is to listen to our conscience. When we ignore or push aside the warning of the conscience and do something our conscience urges us not to do, negative consequences, usually painful in some way, teach us the same lesson again. Hopefully, the consequences will prevent us from going down that same path or a similar path later. The consequences can also teach us to pay more attention to our conscience and obey it in the future to avoid similar consequences.
Painful consequences include being marred physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Sometimes consequences are experienced as loss--loss of friendship, loss of money, loss of health, loss of time, loss of integrity, loss of trust, loss of a clear conscience. All these things are meant to bring us to admit that it was wrong to do that, and not to go that route again--for our own good and for the good of others.
If there were no consequences, then it would far too easy for someone who begins down a wrong path to continue going down that path, onto worse and worse things, things that hurt other people or even take lives, because the person never learns to tame their passions or question their urges. If this pattern continues, devastation, desolation, and death will eventually be the result--and then there are eternal consequences to consider. It it better to be corrected, albeit painfully, but sooner, to keep from going too far down that treacherous path.
* * *
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It is a good thing there are consequences for what we do. Consequences are a second chance to learn something. Our first chance to learn something is to listen to our conscience. When we ignore or push aside the warning of the conscience and do something our conscience urges us not to do, negative consequences, usually painful in some way, teach us the same lesson again. Hopefully, the consequences will prevent us from going down that same path or a similar path later. The consequences can also teach us to pay more attention to our conscience and obey it in the future to avoid similar consequences.
Painful consequences include being marred physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Sometimes consequences are experienced as loss--loss of friendship, loss of money, loss of health, loss of time, loss of integrity, loss of trust, loss of a clear conscience. All these things are meant to bring us to admit that it was wrong to do that, and not to go that route again--for our own good and for the good of others.
If there were no consequences, then it would far too easy for someone who begins down a wrong path to continue going down that path, onto worse and worse things, things that hurt other people or even take lives, because the person never learns to tame their passions or question their urges. If this pattern continues, devastation, desolation, and death will eventually be the result--and then there are eternal consequences to consider. It it better to be corrected, albeit painfully, but sooner, to keep from going too far down that treacherous path.
* * *
If you know someone you'd like to share this blog post with, please use a share button below or towards the top right hand side of the page.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Do the circumstances of life determine who a person is?
(After reading Daniel Deronda, by George Eliot, Book 3, chapters 21-27)
George Eliot looks deeply into the thought life of her characters. She looks at motives, those that are obvious and those that run deeper. To test the motives of a character, she has the character experience hardship. Will the character stand on his former convictions even when it is painful to do so? Will the character maintain her integrity when life seems hopeless? Will this character change his mind when the outlook changes from what he first thought it would be? Will the character sacrifice her morals to ease the burdens of life? And can she be blamed if she does so? Will the cheerful character stay cheerful when there's not much to be cheerful about?
And, really, was that the real motive, or was it just the most attractive one to allow himself to be aware of? One way to find out true motive is to test him. Does that motive stand even when it causes him hardship and when other motives come into play? What about when one's motives conflict? Which motive is strongest?
The trials of life test the personalities and character, integrity and morals of the characters in Daniel Deronda. George Eliot's book is a character study, and the characters are studied through the looking glass of various life events and circumstances. A deeply ringing theme seems to be, "How much do the circumstances of life determine who a person is? Or do those circumstances only reveal who the person is?"
Hardship seems to bring out the good in some people and the bad in other people. Temptation brings out strength in some and weakness in others. Success brings out gratitude in some people and pride in other people. Prosperity brings out generosity in some and selfishness in others. In many people, a mix of responses is aroused. There are inconsistencies.
People are complex. We cannot put Jack or Susie in a box and predict how they will respond in this or that situation. Jack and Susie are still developing. None of us is finished yet.
However, since all situations have the potential for helping us change for the better, let's go down that better path. There are always choices to make. Let's choose what is true, honest, and just. Let us choose that which is loving and honorable, faithful and good.
Let us choose that which will improve us and bless others.
George Eliot looks deeply into the thought life of her characters. She looks at motives, those that are obvious and those that run deeper. To test the motives of a character, she has the character experience hardship. Will the character stand on his former convictions even when it is painful to do so? Will the character maintain her integrity when life seems hopeless? Will this character change his mind when the outlook changes from what he first thought it would be? Will the character sacrifice her morals to ease the burdens of life? And can she be blamed if she does so? Will the cheerful character stay cheerful when there's not much to be cheerful about?
And, really, was that the real motive, or was it just the most attractive one to allow himself to be aware of? One way to find out true motive is to test him. Does that motive stand even when it causes him hardship and when other motives come into play? What about when one's motives conflict? Which motive is strongest?
The trials of life test the personalities and character, integrity and morals of the characters in Daniel Deronda. George Eliot's book is a character study, and the characters are studied through the looking glass of various life events and circumstances. A deeply ringing theme seems to be, "How much do the circumstances of life determine who a person is? Or do those circumstances only reveal who the person is?"
Hardship seems to bring out the good in some people and the bad in other people. Temptation brings out strength in some and weakness in others. Success brings out gratitude in some people and pride in other people. Prosperity brings out generosity in some and selfishness in others. In many people, a mix of responses is aroused. There are inconsistencies.
People are complex. We cannot put Jack or Susie in a box and predict how they will respond in this or that situation. Jack and Susie are still developing. None of us is finished yet.
However, since all situations have the potential for helping us change for the better, let's go down that better path. There are always choices to make. Let's choose what is true, honest, and just. Let us choose that which is loving and honorable, faithful and good.
Let us choose that which will improve us and bless others.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
THE BUSINESS OF HEAVEN, by C. S. Lewis, entries for June 8-23
Friendship is a precious privilege of life. People sometimes overlook the value of friendship. Romantic love is recognized and glorified. Natural love, as between mother and child, is greatly praised and admired. However, friendship is often passed by.
Friendship is not a necessary thing, but it is a precious thing. Friendship is a choice, not a compulsion; hence, friendship might be considered all the more meaningful. When two people choose to spend time together in friendship, they have an opportunity to double their perspective. What one views in life is from one point of view. What the other views in life is from another point of view. When the two share their views, they suddenly have a better understanding of life, because they have the opportunity to share two points of view. When a third person enters the picture, then not only is there a third point of view, which provides more of a three-dimensional picture of life, but another viewpoint of the first two friends becomes available. The third person might bring out qualities in the other two, which the first two might not have brought out in each other. The three friends all contribute to revealing, discovering, and appreciating the depth and beauty of one another.
Friendship increases our ability to recognize beauty in others. It also increases the beauty in us. Friendship provides the opportunity for the unknown best to come forth from each of us. Once that unknown best is made known, a new level of unknown best comes to the queue and waits its turn to be brought out.
Friendship is not a necessary thing, but it is a precious thing. Friendship is a choice, not a compulsion; hence, friendship might be considered all the more meaningful. When two people choose to spend time together in friendship, they have an opportunity to double their perspective. What one views in life is from one point of view. What the other views in life is from another point of view. When the two share their views, they suddenly have a better understanding of life, because they have the opportunity to share two points of view. When a third person enters the picture, then not only is there a third point of view, which provides more of a three-dimensional picture of life, but another viewpoint of the first two friends becomes available. The third person might bring out qualities in the other two, which the first two might not have brought out in each other. The three friends all contribute to revealing, discovering, and appreciating the depth and beauty of one another.
Friendship increases our ability to recognize beauty in others. It also increases the beauty in us. Friendship provides the opportunity for the unknown best to come forth from each of us. Once that unknown best is made known, a new level of unknown best comes to the queue and waits its turn to be brought out.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, by Oscar Wilde, chapter 10
We are all given a conscience to guide us in doing what is right. When we go to do something that is not right, our conscience sends us a warning, a knowing that it is not the right thing to do. We are given the choice whether to give heed to our conscience or not, but if we refuse our conscience, it is wounded and damaged, and then if we persist in going the wrong way, our conscience becomes hardened, numbed. After our conscience has been numbed, we don't notice the messages our conscience would give us to warn us that something is not a good thing for us to do. This is not a good place to be, because the conscience is there for our own good and protection, as well as for the good of others. If we walk without a conscience, only doing as we please, the dangerous path leads to suffering, devastation, and death.
The good news is that it is not too late. Right now, if you listen, you will hear your conscience guiding you, showing you the right way, warning you not to go the wrong way. As you give heed to the very quiet voice, it will grow stronger, it will take up its place again, and you will begin to walk in right paths, where you will find increasing wisdom, truth, and peace. Keep walking in the right and true paths, keep listening for what is right, and you will find those most important things you have been separated from.
Seek, and you shall find.
The good news is that it is not too late. Right now, if you listen, you will hear your conscience guiding you, showing you the right way, warning you not to go the wrong way. As you give heed to the very quiet voice, it will grow stronger, it will take up its place again, and you will begin to walk in right paths, where you will find increasing wisdom, truth, and peace. Keep walking in the right and true paths, keep listening for what is right, and you will find those most important things you have been separated from.
Seek, and you shall find.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, by James Boswell (after reading the entries for the year 1770)
It was said of Samuel Johnson that few persons walked away from being in his company without perceiving themselves wiser and better than they were before. What a legacy! Oh, that we all had that kind of legacy!
Or do we?
If we listen carefully during every conversation we participate in, do we not walk away wiser? Do we not walk away improved?
I do not always agree with what Samuel Johnson says, but I respect and admire him greatly. He speaks exactly what he thinks, succinctly and powerfully, displaying no fear of how someone else will judge him. Much of what he says takes me by surprise, immediately followed by a sense of, "Ahhhhh, I see. He is right." Occasionally, I disagree; but even when I disagree, my senses are sharpened by his point of view.
Reading Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson is like sitting down to a banquet of ideas. In it we are placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and are given the privilege of listening in on some of his conversations, as well as of reading some of his letters. Below, I paraphrase and share with you a few pearls I walked away with after being in Dr. Johnson's company via the 1770 portion of Life of Samuel Johnson. Sometimes the pearls are shaped in the form of thought-provoking questions, pearls that will continue to grow and develop as the questions become more answered for me.
If someone has something in his possession that may be useful to the public, ought he to keep it wholly to himself? This applies to ideas and knowledge as well as to physical things.
Wisdom plans. Virtue executes.
Samuel Johnson frequently gave all the silver in his pocket to the poor, who watched him as he walked from his house to the tavern where he dined. That's a challenging and inspiring example. I admire generosity, so why am I not more generous?
It's good to be around people that are your superiors in many things, for it helps to keep ugly pride from being a parasite to your soul.
You know a book is good when it gets you out of bed two hours sooner than you wish to rise.
If you don't think it would be right for someone else to do something, maybe you shouldn't do it yourself.
The concerns of eternity ought to be the governing principles of our lives.
If you have seen unutterable things, it might be better not to utter them.
Is a nation's highest reputation derived from the splendor and dignity of its writers? What is written has a way of lasting and continuing to speak for generations.
If people have an honest way of feeding themselves, let them do it. Why make it harder for them than it has to be?
Wisdom is right in front of the one who has understanding.
Or do we?
If we listen carefully during every conversation we participate in, do we not walk away wiser? Do we not walk away improved?
I do not always agree with what Samuel Johnson says, but I respect and admire him greatly. He speaks exactly what he thinks, succinctly and powerfully, displaying no fear of how someone else will judge him. Much of what he says takes me by surprise, immediately followed by a sense of, "Ahhhhh, I see. He is right." Occasionally, I disagree; but even when I disagree, my senses are sharpened by his point of view.
Reading Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson is like sitting down to a banquet of ideas. In it we are placed in the company of Samuel Johnson and are given the privilege of listening in on some of his conversations, as well as of reading some of his letters. Below, I paraphrase and share with you a few pearls I walked away with after being in Dr. Johnson's company via the 1770 portion of Life of Samuel Johnson. Sometimes the pearls are shaped in the form of thought-provoking questions, pearls that will continue to grow and develop as the questions become more answered for me.
If someone has something in his possession that may be useful to the public, ought he to keep it wholly to himself? This applies to ideas and knowledge as well as to physical things.
Wisdom plans. Virtue executes.
Samuel Johnson frequently gave all the silver in his pocket to the poor, who watched him as he walked from his house to the tavern where he dined. That's a challenging and inspiring example. I admire generosity, so why am I not more generous?
It's good to be around people that are your superiors in many things, for it helps to keep ugly pride from being a parasite to your soul.
You know a book is good when it gets you out of bed two hours sooner than you wish to rise.
If you don't think it would be right for someone else to do something, maybe you shouldn't do it yourself.
The concerns of eternity ought to be the governing principles of our lives.
If you have seen unutterable things, it might be better not to utter them.
Is a nation's highest reputation derived from the splendor and dignity of its writers? What is written has a way of lasting and continuing to speak for generations.
If people have an honest way of feeding themselves, let them do it. Why make it harder for them than it has to be?
Wisdom is right in front of the one who has understanding.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
WALKING ON WATER: REFLECTIONS ON FAITH AND ART, by Madeleine L'Engle, chapter 7, pp. 121-128
People are too amazing to be labeled and therefore limited by this or that. A person is a whole entity, magnificent beyond comprehension. We only get to know parts of him. There is always more there that we haven't seen before.
When we meet someone, we can be excited about all the things we discover about him, but must not assume those things we discover set boundaries on who he might be. We can't justly assume, for instance, that if a person likes math, she is not creative. We cannot justly assume that because a person is a Christian, he doesn't have fun or isn't any fun. We can't justly assume that a person who doesn't have a college degree doesn't know the things of higher learning or have profound wisdom.
Labeling someone is putting him in a box, pigeonholing him. It is identifying him with our own definition. This limits our view of him. It is not looking at him as a whole person. If we look at the whole person, who he is cannot be defined; he is simply sublime.
When we love, and view people with eyes of love, we do not limit them; we empower them.
When we meet someone, we can be excited about all the things we discover about him, but must not assume those things we discover set boundaries on who he might be. We can't justly assume, for instance, that if a person likes math, she is not creative. We cannot justly assume that because a person is a Christian, he doesn't have fun or isn't any fun. We can't justly assume that a person who doesn't have a college degree doesn't know the things of higher learning or have profound wisdom.
Labeling someone is putting him in a box, pigeonholing him. It is identifying him with our own definition. This limits our view of him. It is not looking at him as a whole person. If we look at the whole person, who he is cannot be defined; he is simply sublime.
When we love, and view people with eyes of love, we do not limit them; we empower them.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
THE SPECTATOR, by Sir Richard Steele and Joseph Addison, Nos. 58-63
Spectator papers 58-63 were written by Joseph Addison for Monday, May 7, through Saturday, May 12, 1711. For that week in May, he wrote about wit, comparing true wit with false wit. True wit is wit that effictively conveys the truth. False wit is wit that might sound cool or clever, but the truth is distorted or completely absent. He spoke of anagrams and acrostics and puns and allegories and rhymes and double rhymes and chronograms and lipograms. He quoted Dryden and Locke and Cowley. He spoke of Greek poets and philosophers and Shakespeare and monks and King James.
Addison spoke of truth and how it is beautiful no matter with what words it is clothed. He commended natural writing of the simply beautiful truth and cautioned against trying to be witty when the simple truth says it better. He pointed out that in order to follow a witty pattern of some kind, rather than using the word that perfectly says what is begging to be said, the writer occasionally chooses a word that only weakly conveys the truth, if it conveys the truth at all.
Eloquence is a form of beauty that is greatly appreciated and enjoyed. A beautifully spoken phrase can evoke a sense of bliss in the hearer. A cleverly woven sentence can awaken a thrilling sense of humor and joy. And then there is the beauty that is in an idea itself, beauty of meaning. This kind of beauty and truth remains just as powerful no matter how gracefully or cleverly it is said. It survives translation into other languages without losing its sense, without losing its power. It holds wisdom that can be spoken using the words of a child or the words of a pedant.
A pun or acrostic or rhyme can draw attention to a truth in a valuable way. These and other forms of wit can make truths easy to remember; they also provide an excellent vehicle for teaching truths and wisdom to children and adults in a manner that is fun for both teacher and scholar. Enjoyment increases the learning curve.
In Addison's last paper on the subject of wit, he described a dream from the night before. The dream was a terrific and imaginative allegory of the different kinds of wit. It reminded me of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, which was published over 150 years later. The dream beautifully summed up what Addison had said about wit throughout the week.
Truth always outshines what is false; what is false and manipulated fades away into nothing in the presence of truth.
Addison spoke of truth and how it is beautiful no matter with what words it is clothed. He commended natural writing of the simply beautiful truth and cautioned against trying to be witty when the simple truth says it better. He pointed out that in order to follow a witty pattern of some kind, rather than using the word that perfectly says what is begging to be said, the writer occasionally chooses a word that only weakly conveys the truth, if it conveys the truth at all.
Eloquence is a form of beauty that is greatly appreciated and enjoyed. A beautifully spoken phrase can evoke a sense of bliss in the hearer. A cleverly woven sentence can awaken a thrilling sense of humor and joy. And then there is the beauty that is in an idea itself, beauty of meaning. This kind of beauty and truth remains just as powerful no matter how gracefully or cleverly it is said. It survives translation into other languages without losing its sense, without losing its power. It holds wisdom that can be spoken using the words of a child or the words of a pedant.
A pun or acrostic or rhyme can draw attention to a truth in a valuable way. These and other forms of wit can make truths easy to remember; they also provide an excellent vehicle for teaching truths and wisdom to children and adults in a manner that is fun for both teacher and scholar. Enjoyment increases the learning curve.
In Addison's last paper on the subject of wit, he described a dream from the night before. The dream was a terrific and imaginative allegory of the different kinds of wit. It reminded me of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, which was published over 150 years later. The dream beautifully summed up what Addison had said about wit throughout the week.
Truth always outshines what is false; what is false and manipulated fades away into nothing in the presence of truth.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
THE HISTORY, by Herodotus (c.484-c.425 B.C.), Book 4, chapters 179-195
The histories of Herodotus are fascinating. In Book IV, chapters 179-195, Herodotus describes various peoples living in Africa along a sand ridge reaching from Egyptian Thebes in the East to the Pillars of Hercules (two promontories on either side of the Strait of Gibraltar) in the Northwest. He considers all these peoples to be Libyans, yet each group with its own name and culture, which may or may not have much in common with the Libyans in general. He tells of the land, the animals, the customs, the diets, and even the hairstyles of the different peoples. He also hints at interesting connections between these peoples and the Greeks.
One of the great things about Herodotus is that he does not claim that everything he writes is true, only that what he writes is what is said in these various countries, many of which he visited on his travels. Herodotus admits when he cannot say things with certainty. Occasionally, the account given by one country contradicts that given by another, and Herodotus points this out, giving both versions of the story, and usually without passing judgment, even when one story seems terribly far-fetched. Herodotus sometimes gives an opinion of which account he thinks is more plausible, but he points out that it is only his opinion. He seems fair in his presentation of the various accounts.
One of the great things about Herodotus is that he does not claim that everything he writes is true, only that what he writes is what is said in these various countries, many of which he visited on his travels. Herodotus admits when he cannot say things with certainty. Occasionally, the account given by one country contradicts that given by another, and Herodotus points this out, giving both versions of the story, and usually without passing judgment, even when one story seems terribly far-fetched. Herodotus sometimes gives an opinion of which account he thinks is more plausible, but he points out that it is only his opinion. He seems fair in his presentation of the various accounts.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, by Oscar Wilde, chapters 8 and 9
Outer beauty is nothing compared to inner beauty. Inner beauty is powerful and true and lasting. Outer beauty is lovely if it clothes inner beauty, but if outer beauty covers inner ugliness, it is like a lie spoken in smooth words--it may sound good, but that doesn't change the fact that it is a lie, and it is all the more despicable because it tried to look good.
Outer beauty that covers inner wickedness and hatefulness is like a lie that sounds good. A lie is a lie no matter how good it sounds, but if it sounds good, some people might be deceived by it and suffer as a result. It is the same with beauty: if a person appears beautiful on the outside, but inside there is the ugliness of pride and selfishness and malice, the appearance is deceiving. The outer beauty idly promises good things which the inner wickedness cannot bring about.
Inner beauty is more important, and indeed, more beautiful, than outer beauty. Inner beauty carries out its promises. Inner beauty is incorruptible--it does not fade like outer beauty does. Inner beauty increases with time. Inner beauty outshines outer beauty. Inner beauty can be seen both with the eyes open and with the eyes closed. Inner beauty tells the truth and uplifts all who gaze upon it.
Outer beauty that covers inner wickedness and hatefulness is like a lie that sounds good. A lie is a lie no matter how good it sounds, but if it sounds good, some people might be deceived by it and suffer as a result. It is the same with beauty: if a person appears beautiful on the outside, but inside there is the ugliness of pride and selfishness and malice, the appearance is deceiving. The outer beauty idly promises good things which the inner wickedness cannot bring about.
Inner beauty is more important, and indeed, more beautiful, than outer beauty. Inner beauty carries out its promises. Inner beauty is incorruptible--it does not fade like outer beauty does. Inner beauty increases with time. Inner beauty outshines outer beauty. Inner beauty can be seen both with the eyes open and with the eyes closed. Inner beauty tells the truth and uplifts all who gaze upon it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I hope to use this blog to record the good that comes to mind when I read literature.
I am currently reading many different books; each one has its own beauty and blessing. I'd like to share with you the good that I find as I am reading. I like to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; if there is any virtue or if there is any praise, I like to think on these things.
When I read, I take in what is good and let the bad bounce off and away. Sometimes when I am reading, what I find that is good is not what the book says, but the good that comes to mind to banish what is bad.
I hope you will join me in enjoying that which is good.
I am currently reading many different books; each one has its own beauty and blessing. I'd like to share with you the good that I find as I am reading. I like to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; if there is any virtue or if there is any praise, I like to think on these things.
When I read, I take in what is good and let the bad bounce off and away. Sometimes when I am reading, what I find that is good is not what the book says, but the good that comes to mind to banish what is bad.
I hope you will join me in enjoying that which is good.
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