HKB
60 passages · search this phrase →
Often appears with: justice as a virtue · pleasure, pain, and the good life · will, choice, and freedom · religious persecution and toleration · education and the training of the young · reason and the intellect · sin, guilt, and repentance · the passions and the emotions · temperance and self-mastery · counsel and advisers to rulers · equity, mercy, and pardon · marriage and betrothal
Usually: argument (524) · detachment (442) · exhortation (343) · reflection (163) · injustice endured (151) · the test or trial (143) · censure (123) · indignation (114) · skepticism (114) · narrative (96)
“But to enable a prince to form an opinion of his servant there is one test which never fails; when you see the servant thinking more of his own interests than of yours, and seeking inwardly his own profit in everything, such a man will never make a good servant, nor will you ever be able to trust him;” Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince · observation
“Stand fast; to stand or fall / Free in thine own arbitrement it lies.” John Milton, Paradise Lost · precept
“Reason, is free; and Reason he made right, / But bid her well be ware, and still erect;” John Milton, Paradise Lost · precept
“for within him Hell He brings, and round about him, nor from Hell One step, no more than from himself, can fly By change of place: Now conscience wakes despair” John Milton, Paradise Lost · observation
“So near grows death to life, whate’er death is, Some dreadful thing no doubt; for well thou knowest God hath pronounced it death to taste that tree, The only sign of our obedience left” John Milton, Paradise Lost · insight
“Present organizations may perish, but the cause will go on. That cause has a life, distinct and independent of the organizations patched up from time to time to carry it forward.” Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom · insight
“It is the very essence of justice, liberty, and love. The moral life of human society, it cannot die while conscience, honor, and humanity remain.” Frederick Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom · insight
“I have failed,” he said simply. And gaining courage by the confession, he added: “What I need is a larger constituency.” W. E. B. Du Bois (William Edward Burghardt Du Bois), The Souls of Black Folk · observation
“I have heard of patriotism in the United States, and it is a virtue which may be found among the people, but never among the leaders of the people.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · observation
“Such a doctrine not only completely tranquilizes our spirit, but also shows us where our highest happiness or blessedness is, namely, solely in the knowledge of God, whereby we are led to act only as love and piety shall bid us.” Benedictus de Spinoza, Ethics — Part 2 · observation
“And hence it follows that as the flesh of the wife is one and the same with that of her husband the stains that may come upon it, or the injuries it incurs fall upon the husband’s flesh,” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · insight
“Pure I came to him whom Heaven bestowed upon me, pure I shall leave him; and at the worst bathed in my own chaste blood and in the foul blood of the falsest friend that friendship ever saw in the world;” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · precept
Margoliouth weighs Muhammad’s sincerity, suggesting Muhammad was neither simple impostor nor merely rational author, but driven by faith, self-deception, persecution at Mecca, and escalating violence at Medina.
the proclaimer of a doctrine of the Divine Unity, held and taught by the Patriarchs, especially by Abraham-a doctrine that should present to mankind Judaism divested of its Mosaic ceremonial, and Christianity divested of the Atonement and the Trinity14-doctrine, as he might have believed, fitted and destined to absorb Judaism, Christianity, and Idolatry; and this persuasion, once admitted into his mind as a convictio…
This passage continues the same interpretive thesis about Muhammad’s sincerity, faith, persecution, self-deception, and belief in receiving a divine call, repeating earlier argumentation rather than adding new claims.
Koran without argeeing with that motto from St. Augustin, which Sale has prefixed to his title page, "Nulla falsa doctrina est, quæ non aliquid veri permisceat." Qu‘st. Evang. ii. 40. The Arabic text from which this translation has been made is that of Fluegel. Leips. 1841. The translations of Sale, Ullmann, Wahl, Hammer von Purgstall in the Fundgruben des Orients, and M. Kasimirski, have been collated throughout; a…
The author argues Muhammad sincerely sought to end Mecca’s idolatries and teach God’s unity, while also being influenced by self-deception and possible hallucinations, contrasting Mecca persecution with Medina tyranny, and discussing early adoption of Islam by enslaved Christians.
his opponent, Abu Jahl, who had threatened to set his foot on the Prophet's neck when prostrate in prayer. But the whole passage admits of application to mankind in general. 5 That is Muhammad. Nöldeke, however, proposes to render "a slave." And it is certain that the doctrines of Islam were in the first instance embraced by slaves, many of whom had been carried away from Christian homes, or born of Christian parent…
Sura I “The Opening” presents the core worship-prayer—praise to God, reliance for guidance on the straight path—followed by commentary on its placement and on earlier themes and doctrine.
And found thee erring and guided thee,3 And found thee needy and enriched thee. As to the orphan therefore wrong him not; And as to him that asketh of thee, chide him not away; And as for the favours of thy Lord tell them abroad. _______________________ 1 This and the six following Suras are expressions of a state of deep mental anxiety and depression, in which Muhammad seeks to reassure himself by calling to m…
The translator argues Muhammad’s Qur’an-building reflects sincerity mixed with self-deception, then presents Meccan oaths and resurrection judgments, including warnings to the unbelievers and stories such as Thamud’s rejected message and punishments.
BY the heaven, and by the NIGHT-COMER! But who shall teach thee what the night-comer is? 'Tis the star of piercing radiance. Over every soul is set a guardian. Let man then reflect out of what he was created. He was created of the poured-forth germs, Which issue from the loins and breastbones: Well able then is God to restore him to life,- On the day when all secrets shall be searched out, And he shall have …
The translator/annotator argues that Muhammad sought to end idolatry and teach God’s unity, but also claims persecution at Mecca and later success fostered self-deception and escalating violence, then appends Qur’an Sura 51’s warnings and end-times judgment.
We had surely seized him by the right hand, And had cut through the vein of his neck.5 Nor would We have withheld any one of you from him. But, verily, It (the Koran) is a warning for the God-fearing; And we well know that there are of you who treat it as a falsehood. But it shall be the despair of infidels, For it is the very truth of sure knowledge. Praise, then, the name of thy Lord, the Great. ___________…
Pepys expresses frustration at continuing disorder in the Navy and longs to retire to Brampton for quiet study and prayer for King and country.
well and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton, where I might live peaceably, and study, and pray for the good of the King and my country. 20th. Commissioner Middleton [Thomas Middleton, made a Commissioner of the Navy, 1664.] says, that the fleet was in such a condition, as to discipline, as if the Devil had commanded it; so much wickedness of all sorts. Enquiring how it came to pass that so ma…
Pepys continues the Bellasses-Porter duel narrative and then comments on appointments around Lady Castlemaine—especially a drunken Glenham rumor—and observes political consequences, hypocrisy, and Castlemaine’s court intrigues.
Taylor since the last sitting of Parliament as would hang him, if there were nothing else, would the King do what were fit for him; but nothing of that is now likely to be. Cozen Roger and Creed to dinner with me, and very merry: but among other things they told me of the strange, bold sermon of Dr. Creeton [Probably Robert Creyghton of Trin. Col. Cambridge, A.M. 1662. Ling. Graec. Prof. Reg. 1672-3.] yesterday befo…
Telemachus urges Menelaus to stop unnecessary crying, tells how Nestor’s counsel shaped his composure, mentions Antilochus’s death at Troy, and Menelaus praises Nestor and redirects the conversation back to supper.
did Menelaus, nor could Pisistratus keep his eyes from filling, when he remembered his dear brother Antilochus whom the son of bright Dawn had killed. Thereon he said to Menelaus, “Sir, my father Nestor, when we used to talk about you at home, told me you were a person of rare and excellent understanding. If, then, it be possible, do as I would urge you. I am not fond of crying while I am getting my supper. Morning …
Minerva/ Mentor arms the aged Laertes for a duel, stops Ithaca’s fighters by frightening them, then warns Ulysses that Jove will be angry and makes a formal peace covenant between the parties.
up to him and said, “Son of Arceisius—-best friend I have in the world—pray to the blue-eyed damsel, and to Jove her father; then poise your spear and hurl it.” As she spoke she infused fresh vigour into him, and when he had prayed to her he poised his spear and hurled it. He hit Eupeithes’ helmet, and the spear went right through it, for the helmet stayed it not, and his armour rang rattling round him as he fell he…
Odysseus asks who bought the swineherd’s service and then is told that rumors of Odysseus’s death are rejected as lies for those who lack true knowledge, leading to Eumaeus’s grief for Odysseus and Telemachus.
But as for me I guard and keep these swine and I choose out for them, as well as I may, the best of the swine and send it hence.” So spake he, but Odysseus ceased not to eat flesh and drink wine right eagerly and in silence, and the while was sowing the seeds of evil for the wooers. Now when he had well eaten and comforted his heart with food, then the herdsman filled him the bowl out of which he was wont himself to…
The narrative follows Crummell’s education after Beriah Green brings him to Oneida, then shows his turn toward the priesthood and the second temptation of Despair when the Episcopal seminary rejects admission.
the dull waters of Hopelessness? Hast Thou known Life?” And then all helplessly we peered into those Other-worlds, and wailed, “O World of Worlds, how shall man make you one?” So in that little Oneida school there came to those schoolboys a revelation of thought and longing beneath one black skin, of which they had not dreamed before. And to the lonely boy came a new dawn of sympathy and inspiration. The shadowy, fo…
After denial from the seminary, Crummell continues his plan, becomes a priest and works in Providence, but confronts the third temptation—Doubt—about his work and the race’s ability, ultimately telling the bishop, “I have failed.”
Paul’s the venerable Bishop raised his white arms above the Negro deacon—even then the burden had not lifted from that heart, for there had passed a glory from the earth. And yet the fire through which Alexander Crummell went did not burn in vain. Slowly and more soberly he took up again his plan of life. More critically he studied the situation. Deep down below the slavery and servitude of the Negro people he saw t…
God’s song ends with commands to set hearts on the law as Israel’s life, then narrates Moses being told to die on Mount Abarim by Mount Nebo in the land of Moab.
I will make mine arrows drunken with blood, and my sword shall eat flesh of the blood of the slain and of the captive and of the bare head of the enemy. Rejoice {Praise ye} heathen with his people, for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will avenge him of his adversaries, and will be merciful unto the land of his people. And Moses went and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, both he…
He continues that believers, once freed by gospel good news, love God and hunger for greater righteousness, while Christ is both redeemer and exemplar whose benefits faith receives and love gives outwardly.
is preached, the spirit of God entereth in to them which God hath ordained and appointed unto eternal life, and openeth there inward eyes, and worketh such belief in them. When the wofull consciences feel and taste how sweet a thing the bitter death of Christ is, and how merciful and loving God is through Christ's purchasing and merits; They begin to love again, and to consent to the law of God, how that it is good,…
The passage explains that believers feel the Holy Spirit’s work, endure tribulations with confidence in God’s love through Christ, and that good deeds follow from being freed from the devil’s bondage.
satan, and coupleth us to God and his will thorow strong faith and fervent love, with bonds too strong for the devil, the world, or any creature to lowse them. ((A christen man feeleth the working of the holy ghost in his soul: and in all tribulations and adversities fealeth God a merciful father and a loving.)) And the poor and wretched sinner feeleth so great mercy, love, and kindness in God, that he is sure…
Jesus teaches across cities and synagogues, heals many, and tells disciples the harvest is great; he commissions the twelve apostles with power to heal and expel demons and instructs how to greet, stay, and respond when rejected.
out, the dumb spake. And the people marvelled, saying: it never so appeared in Israhel. But the pharisees said: he casteth out devils, by the power of the chief devil. And Iesus went about all cities and towns, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospell of the kingdom. And healing all manner sickness and disease among the people. But when he saw the people, he had pity on them, because they were pined a…
After Jesus warns disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, he asks who people think he is, declares Peter’s confession and the “rock” of his church, predicts suffering, and teaches cross-bearing and reward.
The froward nation, and advoutrous, seeketh a sign: there shall none other sign be given unto them, but the sign of the prophet Ionas. So left he them and departed. And when his disciples were come to the other side of the water, they had forgotten to take bread with them. Then Iesus said unto them: Take heed and beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees. They thought among themselves saying: we hav…
Jesus explains the parable’s justice—first and last reversed—and then predicts his betrayal and execution; he teaches servant leadership, heals two blind men near Jericho, enters Jerusalem on a donkey, and clears the temple.
idle? They said unto him: because no man hath hired us. He said to them: go ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoever shall be right, that shall ye receive. When even was come, the lord of the vineyard, said unto his steward: call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning at the last, till thou come to the first. And they which were hired about the eleventh hour, came and received every man a penny. Then came…
Jesus performs the miraculous catch of fish and calls Simon and his partners to follow; he cleanses a leper, teaches in the synagogues, heals a paralytic through friends’ faith, and calls Levi the tax collector.
were partakers with Simon. And Iesus said unto Simon: fear not, from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And they brought the ships to land, and forsook all, and followed him. And it fortuned as he was in a certain city, and behold there was a man full of leprosy: and when he had spied Iesus, he fell on his face and besought him saying: lord if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he stretched forth his hand, and t…
After a night prayer, Jesus appoints twelve apostles, teaches the crowd with blessings and woes, and gives ethical commands like loving enemies, judging not, forgiving, and avoiding hypocritical self-examination.
also that were vexed with foul spirits, and they were healed. And all the people pressed to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes upon the disciples, and said: Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger: for ye shall be satisfied. Blessed are ye that weep: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men hate you, and thrust you o…
Jesus descends from the mountain, heals a demon-tormented child after the disciples fail, explains that greatness comes from receiving a child, rejects fire from heaven, teaches costly discipleship, and begins a journey toward Jerusalem.
which he should end at Ierusalem. Peter and they that were with him, were heavy asleep. And when they woke, they saw his majesty, and two men standing with him. And it chanced as they departed from him, Peter said unto Iesus: Master, it is good being here for us. Let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Helias. And wist not what he said. While he thus spake there came a cloud and s…
Jesus continues on stewardship and faithfulness, condemns covetous self-justification, warns against denying Moses and prophets, and teaches forgiveness, faith like mustard seed, and unprofitable-servant humility.
which sent him to his field, to keep his swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the cods, that the swine ate: and no man gave him. Then he came to himself and said: how many hired servants at my father's have bread enough, and I die for hunger. I will arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him: father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, now am I not worthy to be called thy son, make me…
Jesus predicts his passion and resurrection, heals a blind beggar near Jericho, and tells the story of Zaccheus, Jerusalem’s approaching expectation, and the nobleman who gives pounds to servants.
other brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, which same shall not receive much more in this world: and in the world to come, life everlasting. He took unto him twelve, and said unto them: Lo we go up to Ierusalem, and all shall be fulfilled that are written by the prophets of the son of man. He shall be delivered unto the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shall be despitefully entreated, and…
Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders happens after the voyage from Troas, where he warns of future “wolves,” exhorts care for the flock, and insists on laboring and giving rather than receiving.
again, he brake bread, and tasted, and communed a long while even till the morning, and so departed. They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. Then took we shipping, and departed unto Asson, there to receive Paul. For so had he appointed, and would himself go by land. When he was come to us unto Asson, we took him in, and came to Mittilenes. And sailed thence, and came the next day over agai…
Scipio convenes Spanish hostages, sends them home with Roman protection, and responds to a motherly appeal for strict care of noble captive women, emphasizing Roman discipline and respect for matrons.
iron, sails, spartum, and other naval materials, of use in equipping a fleet; so that amid such large military stores which were captured, Carthage itself was of the least consideration. 48. Having ordered Caius Laelius with the marines to guard the city, Scipio led back his legions to the camp the same day in person; and as his soldiers were tired, as they had in one day gone through every kind of military labour; …
The biography section recounts Herzl’s childhood, including his Bar Mitzvah-era dream of a King-Messiah and dedication to a mission, and describes how he later left technical school due to school and identity pressures.
the liberation by the King-Messiah ran together in the boy's mind, inspiring in him the theme of a wonderful story which he sought in vain to put into literary form. A little while thereafter Herzl had the following dream: "The King-Messiah came, a glorious and majestic old man, took me in his arms, and swept off with me on the wings of the wind. On one of the iridescent clouds we encountered the figure of Moses. Th…
He says representatives are restrained by ties of honor, pride, dependence on reelection, and the rule that laws bind lawmakers as well as constituents, making self-dealing difficult.
flagrant, both in public and in private life. But the universal and extreme indignation which it inspires is itself a proof of the energy and prevalence of the contrary sentiment. In the third place, those ties which bind the representative to his constituents are strengthened by motives of a more selfish nature. His pride and vanity attach him to a form of government which favors his pretensions and gives him a sha…
Madison further claims that representatives cannot create laws that exempt themselves, and that duty, gratitude, interest, and ambition bind them to constituents; he warns that betraying the people would collapse liberty.
from their influence with the people, would have more to hope from a preservation of the favor, than from innovations in the government subversive of the authority of the people. All these securities, however, would be found very insufficient without the restraint of frequent elections. Hence, in the fourth place, the House of Representatives is so constituted as to support in the members an habitual recollection of…
Hamilton attacks schemes to exclude a chief magistrate after a set term, arguing exclusion reduces incentives to good behavior and increases temptations to corruption, usurpation, and purely negative service.
limited period or forever after. This exclusion, whether temporary or perpetual, would have nearly the same effects, and these effects would be for the most part rather pernicious than salutary. One ill effect of the exclusion would be a diminution of the inducements to good behavior. There are few men who would not feel much less zeal in the discharge of a duty when they were conscious that the advantages of the st…
Hamilton challenges the claimed benefits of exclusion, arguing that barring the people’s ability to continue trusted officeholders is “speculative and equivocal” compared with more certain disadvantages.
always render the readmission of the person a remote and precarious object, the observations which have been made will apply nearly as fully to one case as to the other. What are the advantages promised to counterbalance these disadvantages? They are represented to be: 1st, greater independence in the magistrate; 2d, greater security to the people. Unless the exclusion be perpetual, there will be no pretense to infe…
Aeneas escapes foes and fire, but Anchises refuses to flee and insists on dying, urging Aeneas to save the remaining family and mourn him, despite the repeated pleas.
yields, tho’ late, And mourns with mortal groans th’ approaching fate: The roots no more their upper load sustain; But down she falls, and spreads a ruin thro’ the plain. “Descending thence, I scape thro’ foes and fire: Before the goddess, foes and flames retire. Arriv’d at home, he, for whose only sake, Or most for his, such toils I undertake, The good Anchises, whom, by timely flight, …
Aeneas explains that his men’s prayers and pleas are useless, and that he resolves to fight and die, but Creusa stops him, shows Anchises and Ascanius, and omens (fire and thunder) steer their escape.
he still persist, on death resolve, And in his ruin all his house involve!’ He still persists his reasons to maintain; Our pray’rs, our tears, our loud laments, are vain. “Urg’d by despair, again I go to try The fate of arms, resolv’d in fight to die: ‘What hope remains, but what my death must give? Can I, without so dear a father, live? You term it prudence, what I baseness call: Could…
The passage concludes Surah-themed proclamations—one God, divine mercy, and final warning—while emphasizing that people will face trial and that truth must be judged rightly.
SAY: Verily it hath been revealed to me that your God is one God; are ye then resigned to Him? (Muslims.) But if they turn their backs, then SAY: I have warned you all alike; but I know not whether that with which ye are threatened be nigh or distant. God truly knoweth what is spoken aloud, and He also knoweth that which ye hide. And I know not whether haply this delay be not for your trial, and that ye may enjoy …
The text recounts the Night Journey from Mecca to the “farthest temple,” then warns Jewish communities about future crimes and punishment, and repeatedly lays out resurrection judgment, moral accountability, and prayerful signs of time.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful GLORY be to Him who carried his servant by night2 from the sacred temple of Mecca to the temple3 that is more remote, whose precinct we have blessed, that we might shew him of our signs! for He is the Hearer, the Seer. And4 we gave the Book to Moses and ordained it for guidance to the children of Israel–"that ye take no other Guardian than me." O posterity of tho…
It gives ethical commandments—honoring parents, fair giving, limits on waste, prohibition of adultery and killing children, protections for orphans, honesty in measure and judgment—and condemns idolatry and mockers of revelation.
Set not up another god with God, lest thou sit thee down disgraced, helpless.11 Thy Lord hath ordained that ye worship none but him; and, kindness to your parents, whether one or both of them attain to old age with thee: and say not to them, "Fie!" neither reproach them; but speak to them both with respectful speech; And defer humbly to them12 out of tenderness; and say, "Lord, have compassion on them both, even as…
This section warns about those who reject signs, then narrates Moses’ journey with Khidr (the servant with knowledge): the forgotten fish, crossing by ship, killing a youth, and a wall protecting orphans and treasure.
I made them not witnesses of the creation of the Heavens and of the Earth, nor of their own creation, neither did I take seducers as my helpers. On a certain day, God shall say, "Call ye on the companions ye joined with me, deeming them to be gods:" and they shall call on them, but they shall not answer them: then will we place a valley of perdition between them: And the wicked shall see the fire, and shall have a …
Equiano reflects on oppression in the West Indies, holds “honesty” as his guiding rule, resists attempts to be imposed upon, survives violent surfs while longing for freedom, and recounts Joseph Clipson’s kidnapping into slavery from alleged free status.
another, and thus the ceremony was performed. After this the loving pair came on board our vessel, and my captain treated them extremely well, and brought them safe to Montserrat. The reader cannot but judge of the irksomeness of this situation to a mind like mine, in being daily exposed to new hardships and impositions, after having seen many better days, and having been as it were in a state of freedom and plenty;…
Equiano decides navigation knowledge could help him escape if mistreated, hires the mate to teach him, refuses a near-easy chance to board a French fleet for Europe out of loyalty, and continues being blocked by others’ objections.
Scenes where fair Liberty in bright array Makes darkness bright, and e'en illumines day; Where nor complexion, wealth, or station, can Protect the wretch who makes a slave of man." I determined to make every exertion to obtain my freedom, and to return to Old England. For this purpose I thought a knowledge of navigation might be of use to me; for, though I did not intend to run away unless I should be ill used, yet,…
He turns to real principles of rule: people and especially princes are praised or blamed for many traits, and since not all virtues are maintainable, a prudent prince avoids vices that would ruin him.
CONCERNING THINGS FOR WHICH MEN, AND ESPECIALLY PRINCES, ARE PRAISED OR BLAMED It remains now to see what ought to be the rules of conduct for a prince towards subject and friends. And as I know that many have written on this point, I expect I shall be considered presumptuous in mentioning it again, especially as in discussing it I shall depart from the methods of other people. But, it being my intention to write a …
Machiavelli argues that a prince’s judgment is shown by how he chooses and keeps capable, faithful servants, testing them by whether they prioritize the prince’s interests.
CONCERNING THE SECRETARIES OF PRINCES The choice of servants is of no little importance to a prince, and they are good or not according to the discrimination of the prince. And the first opinion which one forms of a prince, and of his understanding, is by observing the men he has around him; and when they are capable and faithful he may always be considered wise, because he has known how to recognize the capable and…
With departure days approaching, Douglass stresses the psychological strain, describes sleepless suspense, explains the consequences of a failed runaway in enslaved communities, and persuades the group to act rather than back out.
being calm and self-possessed, when accosted, if accosted we should be; and we more times than one rehearsed to each other how we should behave in the hour of trial. These were long, tedious days and nights. The suspense was painful, in the extreme. To balance probabilities, where life and liberty hang on the result, requires steady nerves. I panted for action, and was glad when the day, at the close of which we wer…
He justifies refusing to stay in England after his manumission was purchased, saying his duty was to labor with the oppressed in the United States despite the Fugitive Slave Bill’s dangers.
liberty of more value than one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, I could not see either a violation of the laws of morality, or those of economy, in the transaction. It is true, I was not in the possession of my claimants, and could have easily remained in England, for the same friends who had so generously purchased my freedom, would have assisted me in establishing myself in that country. To this, however, I coul…
Douglass concludes that anti-slavery is an immortal essence of justice, love, and liberty independent of organizations, and that even one person who exemplifies its principles can sustain a movement.
highly interesting exposition of the nature, character, and history of the anti-slavery movement, from the insertion of which want of space precludes us, he concluded in the following happy manner.] Present organizations may perish, but the cause will go on. That cause has a life, distinct and independent of the organizations patched up from time to time to carry it forward. Looked at, apart from the bones and sinew…
Plutarch evaluates calamities and family wrongs, excusing motives for Theseus’s and Romulus’s conflicts, then praises Romulus’s founding and social integration while blaming Theseus for parricide and careless divine duty.
despot, and so becomes either odious or contemptible to his subjects. Though certainly the one seems to be the fault of easiness and good-nature, the other of pride and severity. If men's calamities, again, are not to be wholly imputed to fortune, but refer themselves to differences of character, who will acquit either Theseus of rash and unreasonable anger against his son, or Romulus against his brother? Looking a…
Lycurgus promotes controlled reproduction through shared, state-directed childbearing, claims adultery is effectively unknown, and tells of Geradas answering a stranger’s hypothetical about offenders.
the women of Lacedaemon were the only women of the world who could rule men; "With good reason," she said, "for we are the only women who bring forth men." These public processions of the maidens, and their appearing naked in their exercises and dancings, were incitements to marriage, operating upon the young with the rigor and certainty, as Plato says, of love, if not of mathematics. But besides all this, to promo…
Volumnia and Marcius’s wife and children throw themselves at Marcius’s feet, urging him to ignore injuries; Marcius relents after being told it was a “victory” for Rome that destroys his own future.
but if the Volscians happen to be defeated under your conduct, then the world will say, that, to satisfy a revengeful humor, you brought misery on your friends and patrons." Marcius listened to his mother while she spoke, without answering her a word; and Volumnia, seeing him stand mute also for a long time after she had ceased, resumed: "O my son," said she, "what is the meaning of this silence? Is it a duty to p…
Cato is portrayed as having suffered personal losses after his presumption—his wife and son die—and he later marries again through arrangements, setting out to have many children and maintain public duty.
might go home again to their own schools, and declaim to the Greek children, and leave the Roman youth, to be obedient, as hitherto, to their own laws and governors. Yet he did this not out of any anger, as some think, to Carneades; but because he wholly despised philosophy, and out of a kind of pride, scoffed at the Greek studies and literature; as, for example, he would say, that Socrates was a prating seditious f…
Cato’s second marriage is carried out with a servant girl, his eldest son dies in office, and Plutarch emphasizes Cato’s continued engagement in public affairs alongside farming and writing.
dream a little too much; and by the use of this kind of physic, he said, he not only made himself and those about him well, but kept them so. However, for this his presumption, he seemed not to have escaped unpunished; for he lost both his wife and his son; though he himself, being of a strong robust constitution, held out longer; so that he would often, even in his old days, address himself to women, and when he wa…
More anecdotes show Lucullus’s controlled extravagance—costly dinners, avoidance tactics with Cicero and Pompey, and the impression that he spends money rapidly and proudly.
you mean to go on making money like Crassus, living like Lucullus, and talking like Cato?" There are some, however, who say the words were said, but not by Cato. It is plain from the anecdotes on record of him, that Lucullus was not only pleased with, but even gloried in his way of living. For he is said to have feasted several Greeks upon their coming to Rome day after day, who, out of a true Grecian principle, be…
Cato shows defiance as a child against Roman petitions for citizenship, later refuses leadership of games under Sextus, discusses Sulla’s terror in watching prisoners, and refuses to value love beyond his brother.
on, presently ran to the door, and thrusting away those who stood there as guard, took out the child, and went home in anger, followed by some of his companions. Cato at length grew so famous among them, that when Sylla designed to exhibit the sacred game of young men riding courses on horseback, which they called Troy, having gotten together the youth of good birth, he appointed two for their leaders. One of them …
Kant argues that we can think any non-contradictory possibility, but only real possibility requires objective validity, which theoretical reason cannot secure beyond experience, so practical reason supports God, freedom, and immortality via belief, not knowledge.
are indebted to a criticism which warns us of our unavoidable ignorance with regard to things in themselves, and establishes the necessary limitation of our theoretical *cognition* to mere phenomena. [7] In order to *cognize* an object, I must be able to prove its possibility, either from its reality as attested by experience, or _à priori*, by means of reason. But I can *think_ what I please, provided only I do …
Kant claims the Critique’s restriction of speculative reason removes only the schools’ monopoly, not public moral and religious interests, explaining how common convictions about the soul, freedom, and God arise from rational feeling and practical duties.
system of metaphysics of one kind or another, it is the highest and weightiest concern of philosophy to render it powerless for harm, by closing up the sources of error. This important change in the field of the sciences, this loss of its fancied possessions, to which speculative reason must submit, does not prove in any way detrimental to the general interests of humanity. The advantages which the world has derived…
He develops transcendental philosophy as an architectonic plan of pure reason’s principles, stresses that it must be free of empirical elements, and separates speculative transcendental philosophy from practical morality.
this subject; and without this criterion, the incompetent historian or judge decides upon and corrects the groundless assertions of others with his own, which have themselves just as little foundation. Transcendental philosophy is the idea of a science, for which the Critique of Pure Reason must sketch the whole plan architectonically, that is, from principles, with a full guarantee for the validity and stability of…
Kant connects reason’s practical faculty to causality through imperatives, explaining that “ought” has no meaning in nature-as-fact but implies grounds beyond sensory conditions, suggesting reason can causally organize effects despite not producing them via empirical impulses.
and by means of these determines the understanding, which then proceeds to make an empirical use of its own conceptions, which, like the ideas of reason, are pure and non-empirical. That reason possesses the faculty of causality, or that at least we are compelled so to represent it, is evident from the imperatives, which in the sphere of the practical we impose on many of our executive powers. The words I ought expr…
Kant distinguishes an empirical character of each person—where actions follow necessary rules from prior phenomenal conditions—from freedom, which can appear only when the same actions are assessed in relation to intelligible practical reason rather than empirical motives.
character of reason; and this character is a permanent one, while the effects produced appear, in conformity with the various conditions which accompany and partly limit them, in various forms. Thus the volition of every man has an empirical character, which is nothing more than the causality of his reason, in so far as its effects in the phenomenal world manifest the presence of a rule, according to which we are en…
He argues that even if reason causally influences phenomena, freedom is not found in the empirical character’s necessary determination but in intelligible causality not subject to time; nonetheless, human actions as phenomena remain empirically determinate.
certain actions of man; and that these actions have taken place because they were determined, not by empirical causes, but by the act of the will upon grounds of reason. Now, granting that reason stands in a causal relation to phenomena; can an action of reason be called free, when we know that, sensuously, in its empirical character, it is completely determined and absolutely necessary? But this empirical character…
Kant argues that reason’s intelligible causality is free from time, so even if a person’s falsehood is empirically conditioned, blame still treats reason as the responsible, spontaneity-causing ground of the act.
sequence or conditions of time do not influence reason, nor can the dynamical law of nature, which determines the sequence of time according to certain rules, be applied to it. Reason is consequently the permanent condition of all actions of the human will. Each of these is determined in the empirical character of the man, even before it has taken place. The intelligible character, of which the former is but the sen…
Kant insists that reason is the same in all human actions and not determined by preceding states, so asking why reason didn’t determine otherwise is misguided; the question should be about reason’s authority over phenomena.
he utters a falsehood. It follows that we regard reason, in spite of the empirical conditions of the act, as completely free, and therefore, as in the present case, culpable. The above judgement is complete evidence that we are accustomed to think that reason is not affected by sensuous conditions, that in it no change takes place—although its phenomena, in other words, the mode in which it appears in its effects, a…
Locke claims that even though children are naturally free, they remain obliged to honour parents; he distinguishes that enduring duty from any parental right to legislate or command permanent obedience.
of tenderness and concern to temper this power, to apply it, as his wisdom designed it, to the children’s good, as long as they should need to be under it. Sect. 64. But what reason can hence advance this care of the parents due to their off-spring into an absolute arbitrary dominion of the father, whose power reaches no farther, than by such a discipline, as he finds most effectual, to give such strength and health…