Monthly Archives: January 2012

The Good Student

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“The good student, then, ought to be humble and docile, free alike from vain cares and from sensual indulgences, diligent and zealous to learn willingly from all, to presume never upon his own knowledge, to shun the authors of perverse … Continue reading →

Posted in Hugh of St Victor, Learning, memory | Leave a comment

The Prince Must Read History

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“As for intellectual training, the prince must read history, studying the actions of eminent men to see how they conducted themselves during war and to discover the reasons for their victories or their defeats, so that he can avoid the … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Machiavelli | 1 Comment

Teachers and Students

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“Though I have spoken in some detail of the duties of the teacher, I shall for the moment confine my advice to the learners to one solitary admonishment, that they should love their masters [teachers] not less than their studies, and … Continue reading →

Posted in John of Salisbury, Learning, Quintilian, teaching | Leave a comment

Luther, the Study of the Languages, and the Reformation

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“I realize there has never been a great revelation of God’s Word unless God has first  prepared the way by the rise and flourishing of languages and learning, as though these were forerunners, a sort of [John] the Baptist.  Certainly … Continue reading →

Posted in education, grammar, Martin Luther, Renaissance | Leave a comment

Martin Luther on Preaching on Christ’s Passion & Death

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“But someone might say, Are we to proclaim nothing but that Christ died for us? Isn’t it enough to preach about this one time only? I have heard it so often and know it so well. Answer: The Jews were required … Continue reading →

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Aptitude gathers wisdom, memory preserves it.

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“Those who work at learning must be equipped at the same time with aptitude and with memory, for those two are so closely tied together in every study and discipline that if one of them is lacking, the other alone … Continue reading →

Posted in Hugh of St Victor, medieval, memory | 2 Comments

True integration

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“True integration will be achieved by true neighbors who are willingly obedient to unenforceable obligations.”  Martin Luther King, Jr., Strength to Love (Philadelphia  1963), p. 38.    

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Memory, identity and history

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“Our memory is the thread of our personal identity; our memory liberates us from what Melanchthon, Luther’s colleague, called perpetual childhood.  Without our past we have no present or future.” Carter Lindberg, The European Reformations, 2nd Ed, p. 2 Lindberg … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Martin Luther, memory, Philip Melanchthon | Leave a comment

My favorite quote about historians

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“The historians, therefore, are the most useful people and the best teachers, so that one can never honor, praise, or thank them enough.” Martin Luther, “Preface to Galeatius Capella’s History,” Luther’s Works, Vol. 34, p. 276.

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