Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Unlock the Hidden Places of Learning

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“A certain wise man, when asked concerning the method and form of study, declared: A humble mind, eagerness to inquire, a quiet life,                                   … Continue reading →

Posted in Hugh of St Victor, Learning, liberal arts, teaching | Leave a comment

The Annunciation and Fishing

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“On this holy day the Incarnation of Christ is announced through the angel, just as today is celebrated devoutly by the entire Church.  It is read that on that day and at the same hour at which the first man … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Honorius Augustodunensis, Mary, medieval, theology | Leave a comment

Plutarch on the Ides of March

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

But destiny, it would seem, is not so much unexpected as it is unavoidable, since they say that amazing signs and apparitions were seen. Now, as for lights in the heavens, crashing sounds borne all about by night, and birds of … Continue reading →

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

Augustine on Just War

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“What is the evil of war? Is it the death of some who will soon die in any case, that others may live in peaceful subjection? This is merely cowardly dislike, not any religious feeling.  The real evils in war … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, justice, virtue, war | 4 Comments

Playing the Tyrant

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Matthew Phillips

“The nobles had played the tyrant often enough in the past; but now the proletariat was on top and showed itself as arrogant as they had been.” Sallust, Chap. 5 in The Jugurthine War, trans. S. A. Handford (London: Penguin, 1963), … Continue reading →

Posted in government, Politics, Rome, Sallust | Leave a comment

The Attack on Wisdom

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“Do you think that this is the first time that Wisdom has been attacked and endangered by a wicked society?  Did I not often of old also, before Plato’s time, have to battle in mighty struggle with arrogant stupidity?  And … Continue reading →

Posted in Boethius, philosophy, wisdom | Leave a comment

Seneca on Wisdom

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“Now I will explain how you can recognize that you are not wise. The wise man is full of joy, cheerful and calm, undisturbed. He lives on equal terms with the gods.  Now examine yourself: if you are never sad, … Continue reading →

Posted in happiness, Seneca, wisdom | Leave a comment

Exchanging Tyrants

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“This is clear at once to the dullest-witted man in Rome that, so far from having escaped from tyranny, they had only exchanged one tyrant for another.  As for the elder Marius, he had always had a savage character, and … Continue reading →

Posted in government, Plutarch, Politics, Rome, war | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Glorious and Everlasting Possession

Posted on October 29, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“Every man who wishes to rise superior to the lower animals should strive his hardest to avoid living all his days in silent obscurity, like the beasts of the field, creatures which go with their faces to the ground and … Continue reading →

Posted in Intellect, Sallust | Leave a comment

True Friendship

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“Now I think the word amicus [friend] comes from the word amor [love], and amicitia [friendship] from amicus.  For love is a certain “affection” of the rational soul whereby it seeks and eagerly strives after some object to possess it … Continue reading →

Posted in Aelred of Rievaulx, Cicero, friendship, Love | Leave a comment