Category Archives: liberal arts

Gluttony Over Glosses

Posted on November 29, 2022 by Matthew Phillips

“For clerks of our own day follow more readily the schools of Antichrist than Christ, are rather given to gluttony than glosses; they collect pounds rather than read books…now all learning goes cheap, all reading is half-hearted; there is no-one … Continue reading →

Posted in Alan of Lille, education, liberal arts, medieval, teaching, theology | Leave a comment

How Students Deceive Themselves

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Matthew Phillips

“For the first step in learning is the capacity to doubt, nor is there anything so inimical to learning as the presumption of one’s own erudition or excessive reliance upon one’s own wits: the one takes away our interest in … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, liberal arts, Pietro Paulo Vergerio, Renaissance, teaching | Leave a comment

The Meaning of Words

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Matthew Phillips

“The meaning of words should be carefully analyzed, and one should diligently ascertain the precise force of each and every term, both in itself and in the given context, so that one may dispel the haze of sophistries that would … Continue reading →

Posted in John of Salisbury, languages, liberal arts, writing | Leave a comment

Studies Burdensome to Youth

Posted on February 21, 2019 by Matthew Phillips

One may wish to be learned in old age, but it is not easy to achieve this unless we have nurtured learning in ourselves from our earliest years with zealous effort.  So we need to prepare in youth those consolations … Continue reading →

Posted in Learning, liberal arts, Pietro Paulo Vergerio | 2 Comments

Rhabanus on Rhetoric and Preaching

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“According to the statements of teachers, rhetoric is the art of using secular discourse effectively in the circumstances of daily life.  From this definition rhetoric seems indeed to have reference merely to secular wisdom.  Yet is is not foreign to … Continue reading →

Posted in liberal arts, Rhabanus Maurus, rhetoric | 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

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

Reading the Best Authors

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“This then will be our first study: to read only the best and most approved authors.  Our second will be to bring to this reading a keen critical sense.  The reader must study the reasons why the words are placed … Continue reading →

Posted in languages, Leonardo Bruni, liberal arts, reading, Renaissance | Leave a comment

Career Advice from the Renaissance

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“To decide which is the most suitable career to himself, a man must take two things into account: the first is his own intelligence, his mind and his body, everything about himself; and the second, the question requiring close considerations, … Continue reading →

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

Reading Needs Memory

Posted on September 10, 2015 by Matthew Phillips

“Reading needs the aid of memory, and even if memory is sluggish, it is sharpened by frequent meditation, and recovered by assiduous reading.  Often a prolix reading will overwhelm the memory with its length, but if it is short, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Isidore of Seville, Learning, liberal arts, reading, teaching, wisdom | Leave a comment