Category Archives: Politics

He Scatters the Peoples Who Delight in War

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“It is not right to start a war just because some silly lord has gotten the idea into his head. At the very outset I want to say that whoever starts a war is in the wrong.  And it is … Continue reading →

Posted in government, justice, Martin Luther, Politics, war | Leave a comment

Sallust on the Danger of Using Force

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Matthew Phillips

“Of these various paths to fame, it seems to me that the holding of civil and military posts, and indeed all political activities, are in these days the least desirable.  For the deserving do not obtain the honours of office; … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in Articles of Confederation, government, history, Politics | Leave a comment

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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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

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

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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Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Divine Law

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Matthew Phillips

“One may well ask, ‘How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?’ The answer is found in the fact that there are two types of laws: there are just laws, and there are unjust laws. I would agree … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, Martin Luther King Jr, Politics, Thomas Aquinas | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in education, Erasmus, government, Politics, teaching | Leave a comment

History and Education of a Prince

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“It is not enough just to hand out precepts to restrain the prince from vices or to incite him to a better course—they must be impressed, crammed in, inculcated, and in one way and another be kept before him, now … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Erasmus, government, history, Politics, Renaissance | Leave a comment