Category Archives: wisdom

The Happiness of Deceit

“But they say it is an unhappy thought to be deceived.  To this I say no, for the unhappiest thought is not to be deceived.  For those who think that the happiness of a man can be found in things … Continue reading

Posted in deception, Erasmus, Renaissance, wisdom | Leave a comment

Reason and Wisdom

“The creature of foresight, wisdom, variety, keenness, memory, endowed with reason and judgement, which we call man, was created by the supreme god to enjoy a remarkable status.  Of all the types and species of living creatures he is the … Continue reading

Posted in Cicero, Intellect, memory, reason, virtue, wisdom | Leave a comment

The Attack on Wisdom

“Do you think that this is the first time that Wisdom has been attacked and endangered by a wicked society?  Did I not often of old also, before Plato’s time, have to battle in mighty struggle with arrogant stupidity?  And … Continue reading

Posted in Boethius, philosophy, wisdom | Leave a comment

Seneca on Wisdom

“Now I will explain how you can recognize that you are not wise. The wise man is full of joy, cheerful and calm, undisturbed. He lives on equal terms with the gods.  Now examine yourself: if you are never sad, … Continue reading

Posted in happiness, Seneca, wisdom | Leave a comment

Reading Needs Memory

“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

Cicero on Wisdom and Action

“The foremost of all the virtues is the wisdom that the Greeks call sophia.  (Good sense, which they call phronensis, we realize is something distinct, that is the knowledge of things that one should pursue and avoid.) But the wisdom … Continue reading

Posted in Cicero, virtue, wisdom | Leave a comment

The Drunken Effects of Reading

“Reading sharpens perception, adds new dimensions of understanding, kindles an ardent desire to learn, affords fluency, warms the lukewarm enthusiasm of the mind, casts out sluggishness, tears away the web of lust, excites groans of the heart, coaxes forth tears, … Continue reading

Posted in Alan of Lille, Learning, reading, reason, wisdom | Leave a comment