Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Pride Takes God from Man

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Now these are: first, pride; second, envy; third, anger; fourth, despair; fifth, covetousness, sixth, gluttony; seventh, lust.  Of these, three despoil man (hominem); the fourth scourges him when despoiled; the fifth ejects him when scourged; the sixth seduces him when … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Hugh of St Victor, pride, university, vice | Leave a comment

Memory, Understanding, and Will

Posted on May 19, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Now this trinity* of the mind is God’s image, not because the mind remembers, understands and loves itself; but because it has the power also to remember, understand and love its Maker.  And it is in so doing that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, memory, will | Leave a comment

Aristotle on Friendship

Posted on April 16, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“For friendship is a virtue, or involves virtue; and also it is one of the most indispensable requirements of life.  For no one would choose to live without friends, but possessing all other good things.  In fact rich men, rulers … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristotle, friendship, virtue | Leave a comment

A Medieval Palm Sunday Sermon

Posted on March 25, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“[Christ] having entered the battle, had nails affixed to his feet as shin guards, He held a reed in [his] hand for a lance, [his] hands were affixed with nails for a sword.  He had the cross for a shield, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, Christ, Cross, gospel, grace, preaching | Leave a comment

The Assassination of Julius Caesar

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

But when, after taking his seat, Caesar continued to repulse their petitions, and, as they pressed upon him with greater importunity, began to show anger towards one and another of them, Tullius seized his toga with both hands and pulled … Continue reading →

Posted in Julius Caesar, Plutarch, Rome | Leave a comment

History and the Truth

Posted on February 25, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Now in other spheres of human life we should perhaps not rule out such partiality.  A good man ought to love his friends and his country, and should share both their hatreds and their loyalties. But once a man takes … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Polybius | Leave a comment

Reason and Wisdom

Posted on February 11, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“The creature of foresight, wisdom, variety, keenness, memory, endowed with reason and judgement, which we call man, was created by the supreme god to enjoy a remarkable status.  Of all the types and species of living creatures he is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, Intellect, memory, reason, virtue, wisdom | Leave a comment

The Suffering of the Blessed Virgin

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“Therefore, this holy Virgin was a true martyr during these three days, and they were much harder for her than the external pain and torture was for any other saint.  She was in anxiety because of her Son that she … Continue reading →

Posted in depression, Martin Luther, martyrdom, Mary, medieval, preaching | Leave a comment

God-given Rights

Posted on January 15, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“All men are made in the image of God. All men are brothers. All men are created equal. Every man is an heir to a legacy of dignity and worth. Every man has rights that are neither conferred by, nor … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Martin Luther King Jr, preaching, war | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Exercise of the Mind

Posted on January 1, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“I think to myself how many men exercise their bodies, and how few their intellects; what a great gathering there is to see an unreliable show put on in play, and what a great isolation around the noble arts; how … Continue reading →

Posted in liberal arts, Seneca, virtue, will | Leave a comment