Category Archives: government

The Power to Tax is the Power to Control

Posted on July 4, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“This power, exercised without limitation, will introduce itself into every corner of the city, and country.—It will wait upon the ladies at their toilett [sic], and will not leave them in any of their domestic concerns; it will accompany them … Continue reading →

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Luther on the Crusades

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“The popes have never seriously intended to wage war against the Turk; instead they used the Turkish war as a cover for their game and robbed Germany of money by means of indulgences whenever they took the notion….If they had … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Crusades, government, Martin Luther | Leave a comment

God’s Little Puppet Show

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Now the blind world, because it does not know God and his work, concludes that it is owing to its own cleverness, reason, and strength that a community or dominion endures and thrives.  Accordingly, they gather together great treasures, stuff … Continue reading →

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Luther on Rulers and History

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“A prince must also be very wise and not always try to impose his will, even if he has the right and the best of all reasons to do so.  For it is a far nobler virtue to put up … Continue reading →

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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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Boethius on Good Fortune

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“What I want to tell you is something wonderful, which makes it very difficult for me to put it into words.  For I think that ill fortune is better for men than good.  Fortune always cheats when she seems to … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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A Good Prince Must know Geography & History

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Although the writers of antiquity divided the whole theory of state government into two sections, war and peace, the first and most objective is the instruction of the prince in the matter of ruling wisely during times of peace, in … Continue reading →

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Erasmus on Teachings of Christ, Plato, and the Prince

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Before all else the story of Christ must be firmly rooted in the mind of the prince.  He should drink deeply of His teachings, gathered in handy texts, and then later from those very fountains themselves, whence he may drink … Continue reading →

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