Previous William Thomas Sherman Info Page postings, quotes, observations, etc.
...Said the Lord [Luke 24:41-44] to the disciples after the resurrection; and they, as taught by Him to practice frugality, “gave Him a piece of broiled fish;” and having eaten before them, says Luke, He spoke to them what He spoke. And in addition to these, it is not to be overlooked that those who feed according to the Word are not debarred from dainties in the shape of honey-combs. For of articles of food, those are the most suitable which are fit for immediate use without fire, since they are readiest; and second to these are those which are simplest, as we said before. But those who bend around inflammatory tables, nourishing their own diseases, are ruled by a most lickerish demon, whom I shall not blush to call the Belly-demon, and the worst and most abandoned of demons. He is therefore exactly like the one who is called the Ventriloquist-demon. It is far better to be happy than to have a demon dwelling with us. And happiness is found in the practice of virtue. Accordingly, the apostle Matthew partook of seeds, and nuts, and vegetables, without flesh...
~ Clement of Alexandria (c.150–c.215), The Paedagogus, Book 2.
(For such who may find this a help.)
Any image can be translated or converted into a geometrical figure and mathematical formula or equation. If then an unwelcome or offending image recurs, instead of seeing the image itself, see or look to rather (and with your mind's eye) the formula or equation by which it is (or may be said to be) constructed.
By everlasting fire, I have come to think that, at least in part, the Gospels mean interminable quarreling.
I have also come to think that (real) heaven doesn't rescue those in danger as much as they might, because to do so would only encourage these people to do more and worse.
"From Tacitus historians learned that human actions are only fully intelligible to him who understands human motives. And that was a very important lesson."
J.A.K. Thomson, The Classical Background of English Literature (1948), p. 99.
In the same book, Thomson also reminds us that it was Plutarch who taught that character is destiny; which, based on his plays, was one of Shakespeare's core beliefs regarding a given person's fate.
Even if you reject Plato's world of pure ideas or ideals, there can be no question that everyone here (in this life) is necessarily and to some greater or lesser degree living in a world of shadows.
[The foolish man turned to idols] Forasmuch as he knew not his maker and him that inspired into him the
soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit.
Yea and they have counted our life a pastime, and the business of life
to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil...
But all the enemies of thy people [the gods?] that hold them in subjection, are
foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure.
~ Book of Wisdom, 15: 11-12, 14
From 1974 (Brussell herself died in 1988.) She makes a very interesting case. Donald DeFreeze mentioned, incidentally, was the putative head of the SLA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-WbhZNnw0k
["Mae Brussell - Dialogue Conspiracy (4-22-74) Patty Hearst Joins The SLA"]
[ch. 13]
Everything that is contrary to right reason is sin. Accordingly, therefore, the philosophers think fit to define the most generic passions thus: lust, as desire disobedient to reason; fear, as weakness disobedient to reason; pleasure, as an elation of the spirit disobedient to reason. If, then, disobedience in reference to reason is the generating cause of sin, how shall we escape the conclusion, that obedience to reason— the Word— which we call faith, will of necessity be the efficacious cause of duty? For virtue itself is a state of the soul rendered harmonious by reason in respect to the whole life. Nay, to crown all, philosophy itself is pronounced to be the cultivation of right reason; so that, necessarily, whatever is done through error of reason is transgression, and is rightly called, sin. Since, then, the first man sinned and disobeyed God, it is said, “And man became like to the beasts:” being rightly regarded as irrational, he is likened to the beasts...
...Whence also duties are essential for divine discipline, as being enjoined by God, and furnished for our salvation. And since, of those things which are necessary, some relate only to life here, and others, which relate to the blessed life yonder, wing us for flight hence; so, in an analogous manner, of duties, some are ordained with reference to life, others for the blessed life. The commandments issued with respect to natural life are published to the multitude; but those that are suited for living well, and from which eternal life springs, we have to consider, as in a sketch, as we read them out of the Scriptures...
~ Clement of Alexandria (c.150–c.215), The Paedagogus, Book 1.
If you have time for a full length movie, give "House of Cards" (1968), with George Peppard, Inger Stevens, Keith Michell and Orson Welles, a try. I hadn't seen this before and don't usually go in for political action thrillers, and the story is as usual with such films too unbelievable, but this very stylish sixties romp is well done and makes for good entertainment, again, if you have the time. For part 2, see (at DailyMotion but also available on YouTube):
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bji1k_house-of-cards-1968-1-2_lifestyle
["House of Cards (1968) 1/2"]
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2bjk17_house-of-
cards-1968-2-2_lifestyle
["House of Cards (1968) 2/2"]
[ch. 12]
...But let us, O children of the good Father— nurslings of the good Instructor— fulfill the Father's will, listen to the Word, and take on the impress of the truly saving life of our Saviour; and meditating on the heavenly mode of life according to which we have been deified, let us anoint ourselves with the perennial immortal bloom of gladness— that ointment of sweet fragrance— having a clear example of immortality in the walk and conversation of the Lord; and following the footsteps of God, to whom alone it belongs to consider, and whose care it is to see to, the way and manner in which the life of men may be made more healthy. Besides, He makes preparation for a self-sufficing mode of life, for simplicity, and for girding up our loins, and for free and unimpeded readiness of our journey; in order to the attainment of an eternity of beatitude, teaching each one of us to be his own storehouse. For He says, “Take no anxious thought for tomorrow,” [Matthew 6:34] meaning that the man who has devoted himself to Christ ought to be sufficient to himself, and servant to himself, and moreover lead a life which provides for each day by itself. For it is not in war, but in peace, that we are trained. War needs great preparation, and luxury craves profusion; but peace and love, simple and quiet sisters, require no arms nor excessive preparation. The Word is their sustenance...
~ Clement of Alexandria (c.150–c.215), The Paedagogus, Book 1.
[ch. 6]
...O mystic marvel! The universal Father is one, and one the universal Word; and the Holy Spirit is one and the same everywhere, and one is the only virgin mother. I love to call her the Church. This mother, when alone, had not milk, because alone she was not a woman. But she is once virgin and mother— pure as a virgin, loving as a mother. And calling her children to her, she nurses them with holy milk, viz., with the Word for childhood. Therefore she had not milk; for the milk was this child fair and comely, the body of Christ, which nourishes by the Word the young brood, which the Lord Himself brought forth in throes of the flesh, which the Lord Himself swathed in His precious blood. O amazing birth! O holy swaddling bands! The Word is all to the child, both father and mother and tutor and nurse. “Eat my flesh,” He says, “and drink my blood.” [John 6:53-54] Such is the suitable food which the Lord ministers, and He offers His flesh and pours forth His blood, and nothing is wanting for the children's growth. O amazing mystery! We are enjoined to cast off the old and carnal corruption, as also the old nutriment, receiving in exchange another new regimen, that of Christ, receiving Him if we can, to hide Him within; and that, enshrining the Saviour in our souls, we may correct the affections of our flesh...
...And that the blood is the Word, is testified by the blood of Abel, the righteous interceding with God. For the blood would never have uttered a voice, had it not been regarded as the Word: for the righteous man of old is the type of the new righteous one; and the blood of old that interceded, intercedes in the place of the new blood. And the blood that is the Word cries to God, since it intimated that the Word was to suffer...
~ Clement of Alexandria (c.150–c.215), The Paedagogus, Book 1.