Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Erasmus on the Folly of Political Leaders

Posted on March 30, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Show me a man such as princes commonly are: a man ignorant of the laws: an enemy of the public: intent upon private gain; taken to pleasure; against knowledge, liberty, and truth; never occupied with the safety of the state; … Continue reading →

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Augustine on the Use of Symbols

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“But, all those truths which are presented to us in figures tend, in some manner, to nourish and arouse that flame of love by the impulse of which we are carried upward and inward toward rest, and they stir and … Continue reading →

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Artists and the Liberal Arts

Posted on February 22, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“I want the painter, as far as he is able, to be learned in all the liberal arts, but I wish him above all to have a good knowledge of geometry….Our rudiments, from which the complete and perfect art of … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, Leon Battista Alberti, liberal arts, poetry, Renaissance | Leave a comment

Augustine on the Use of History

Posted on February 3, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Whatever the subject called history reveals about the sequence of past events is of the greatest assistance in interpreting the holy books, even if learnt outside the church as part of primary education.” Augustine of Hippo, On Christian Teaching II. XXVll., trans. … Continue reading →

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The Remedy of Human Infirmity

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Although pleasurable in many ways, the pursuit of letters is especially fruitful because it excludes all annoyances stemming from differences of times and place, it draws friends into each other’s presence, and it abolishes the situation in which things worth … Continue reading →

Posted in history, John of Salisbury, languages, Learning, liberal arts, Politics, virtue | Leave a comment

Proper Digestion

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“In the process of learning, the very thing that ought to be a great help, namely, a great desire to learn, often becomes for many people an impediment.  They want to take in everything at the same time, and are … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, medieval, memory, Pietro Paulo Vergerio, Renaissance, teaching | Leave a comment

John of Salisbury on the Liberal Arts

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“While there are many sorts of arts, the first to proffer their services to the natural abilities of those who philosophize are the liberal arts.  All of the latter are included in the courses of the Trivium and Quadrivium.  The … Continue reading →

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The Word Became Flesh

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“…we believe the Scriptures and confess with holy Christendom, which existed at all times and will endure till the end of the world, that this article of our holy Christian creed, together with all others, is firmly and solidly established … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christmas, gospel, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

Martin Luther, Augustine and the Languages

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“And, further, if I could bring it to pass among you, I should like to ask that you do not neglect the languages but, since it would not be difficult for you, that you have your preachers and some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, languages, Learning, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

Cassiodorus on Returning to Books

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“For learning taken from the ancients in the midst of praising the Lord is not considered tasteless boasting. Furthermore, you make a serious teacher angry if you question him often; but however often you want to return to these books, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cassiodorus, education, Learning, liberal arts, teaching | Leave a comment