Author Archives: Matthew Phillips

Unlimited Power is Bad

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Unlimited power is in itself a bad and dangerous thing.  Human beings are not competent to exercise it with discretion.  God alone can be omnipotent, because his wisdom and his justice are always equal to his power.  There is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexis de Tocqueville, justice, Politics, virtue | Leave a comment

Thomas Jefferson on History

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.  But as we have employed some of the best materials of the British constitution in the construction of our own government, a knowlege of British history becomes useful to the … Continue reading →

Posted in government, history, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

What did Thomas Jefferson Read on Government?

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/presidents/thomas-jefferson/letters-of-thomas-jefferson/jefl179.php  In 1807 President Thomas Jefferson responded to the questions of John Norvell Washington regarding the study of civil government and history.  The letter is dated June 14, 1807.  Jefferson answered plainly: “I think there does not exist a good … Continue reading →

Posted in government, history, Politics, Thomas Jefferson | Leave a comment

Martin Luther on the Source of Reason and Intellect

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“It is amazing that the evangelist St. John is able to discuss such sublime and weighty matters in such plain and simple language.  He wants to say the Son of God draws so close to men that He is their … Continue reading →

Posted in Intellect, Martin Luther, reason | Leave a comment

Martin Luther on Studying Theology and Reading Scripture

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Moreover, I want to point out to you a correct way of studying theology, for I have had practice in that.  If you keep to it, you will become so learned that you yourself could (if it were necessary) write … Continue reading →

Posted in Martin Luther, reading, teaching, theology, writing | Leave a comment

Martin Luther on Music

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone.  But I am so overwhelmed by the diversity and magnitude of its virtue and … Continue reading →

Posted in liberal arts, Martin Luther, music | 1 Comment

Peter of Celle on Monastic Reading

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“What should I say about reading? I consider a room without reading to be hell without consolation, a gibbet without belief, a prison without a light, a tomb without a vent, a ditch swarming with worms, a suffocating trap.  A … Continue reading →

Posted in Peter of Celle, reading | 1 Comment

Martin Luther on the Multiplication of Laws

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“In the papacy we foolish saints added one ordinance to the other.  There were laws without number.  These only terrified the consciences and left people languishing with thirst.  The preachers only intensified the thirst.  This is inevitable.  The teachings of … Continue reading →

Posted in lawyers, Martin Luther, papacy | Leave a comment

Nature, the Body, and Decency

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“From the beginning nature itself seems to have been thoroughly rational concerning our bodies: she has placed in sight those parts of our form and features that have an honourable appearance, but has covered and hidden the parts of the … Continue reading →

Posted in body, Cicero, nature | Leave a comment

Humanity as God’s Creation

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“Nature, that is, God, made man a composite of two parts, one celestial and divine, the other most beautiful and noble among mortal things.  He provided him with a form and a body suited to every sort of movement, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Leon Battista Alberti, memory, reason, Renaissance | Leave a comment