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[ch. 18]
But to those who wish to become disciples of the [Essenes] sect, they do not immediately deliver their rules, unless they have previously tried them. Now for the space of a year they set before (the candidates) the same food, while the latter continue to live in a different house outside the Essenes' own place of meeting. And they give (to the probationists) a hatchet and the linen girdle, and a white robe. When, at the expiration of this period, one affords proof of self-control, he approaches nearer to the sect's method of living, and he is washed more purely than before. Not as yet, however, does he partake of food along with the Essenes. For, after having furnished evidence as to whether he is able to acquire self-control,— but for two years the habit of a person of this description is on trial—and when he has appeared deserving, he is thus reckoned among the members of the sect. Previous, however, to his being allowed to partake of a repast along with them, he is bound under fearful oaths. First, that he will worship the Divinity; next, that he will observe just dealings with men, and that he will in no way injure any one, and that he will not hate a person who injures him, or is hostile to him, but pray for them. He likewise swears that he will always aid the just, and keep faith with all, especially those who are rulers. For, they argue, a position of authority does not happen to any one without God. And if the Essene himself be a ruler, he swears that he will not conduct himself at any time arrogantly in the exercise of power, nor be prodigal, nor resort to any adornment, or a greater state of magnificence than the usage permits. He likewise swears, however, to be a lover of truth, and to reprove him that is guilty of falsehood, neither to steal, nor pollute his conscience for the sake of iniquitous gain, nor conceal anything from those that are members of his sect, and to divulge nothing to others, though one should be tortured even unto death. And in addition to the foregoing promises, he swears to impart to no one a knowledge of the doctrines in a different manner from that in which he has received them himself.
[ch. 19]
With oaths, then, of this description, they bind those who come forward. If, however, any one may be condemned for any sin, he is expelled from the order; but one that has been thus excommunicated sometimes perishes by an awful death. For, inasmuch as he is bound by the oaths and rites of the sect, he is not able to partake of the food in use among other people. Those that are excommunicated, occasionally, therefore, utterly destroy the body through starvation. And so it is, that when it comes to the last the Essenes sometimes pity many of them who are at the point of dissolution, inasmuch as they deem a punishment even unto death, thus inflicted upon these culprits, a sufficient penalty.
~ Hippolytus (c. 170–235 A.D.), Refutation of All Heresies, Book IX
Now since the children share in blood and flesh, he likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who through fear of death had been subject to slavery all their life.
~ Hebrews 2: 14-15
[ch. 17]
All then [of the Essenes] pay attention to the president; and whatever injunctions he will issue, they obey as law. For they are anxious that mercy and assistance be extended to those that are burdened with toil. And especially they abstain from wrath and anger, and all such passions, inasmuch as they consider these to be treacherous to man. And no one among them is in the habit of swearing; but whatever any one says, this is regarded more binding than an oath. If, however, one will swear, he is condemned as one unworthy of credence. They are likewise solicitous about the readings of the law and prophets; and moreover also, if there is any treatise of the faithful, about that likewise. And they evince the utmost curiosity concerning plants and stones, rather busying themselves as regards the operative powers of these, saying that these things were not created in vain.
~ Hippolytus (c. 170–235 A.D.), Refutation of All Heresies, Book IX
Where a war is a long, drawn out affair, it is very common and sometimes necessary that a general deliberately sacrifice men in order to achieve victory; whether or not this sacrifice is voluntary or not. Famous examples of this are occurrences like Thermopylae or the Alamo where soldiers voluntarily gave themselves to die in order that their side might win much needed time. This then, we mighty say, is one, though by no means the only, meaning of the cross.
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What should be said of dogged academics erudite
Claiming to inform, enlighten, and clarify;
Yet who, nevertheless, distort, cover up, and lie?
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Rhetoric. There are endless tons of the stuff. But where is the pure, honest, unadulterated and rationally beholden truth?
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What holds body, heart and mind together if not the soul? So you see therefore, that is what the soul is.
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When all is said and done, what to the worldly way of thinking takes higher precedence over innocence and a most basic sense of fairness and justice? Envy and self-pity, and this is the true root of all evil, and accounts more than anything else for why this world, this life is or can be in as bad shape as it is in.
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"Poetry is concerned with universal truths, history treats of particular facts."
~ "Longinus," On the Sublime, ch. 9.
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During the night, someone snuck in and rewrote some of the law; so that come morning and its overseers came to apply, use or invoke it, the law it was different (but they did not know this.)
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It is an curious but true fact, and that I have observed personally, that birds sometimes scold. On one occasion it was a group of sparrows hovering in a bush; whirling around, chasing and busily chattering some ostensible offender. At another time, even more marvelous to relate, I heard two crows incessantly cawing in protest from afar off; though at first I did not know where the sound was coming from. It was then I looked up, and way, way up the sky, I saw them pestering an eagle who was gliding silently aloft in wide circles. One thing that was so especially remarkable about all this was how on earth it was possible for the two crows to reach so high an altitude. (A true story.)
[ch. 16]
And they [the Essenes] continue in an orderly manner, and with perseverance pray from early dawn, and they do not speak a word unless they have praised God in a hymn. And in this way they each go forth and engage in whatever employment they please; and after having worked up to the fifth hour they leave off. Then again they come together into one place, and encircle themselves with linen girdles, for the purpose of concealing their private parts. And in this manner they perform ablutions in cold water; and after being thus cleansed, they repair together into one apartment,— now no one who entertains a different opinion from themselves assembles in the house—and they proceed to partake of breakfast. And when they have taken their seats in silence, they set down loaves in order, and next some one sort of food to eat along with the bread, and each receives from these a sufficient portion. No one, however, tastes these before the priest utters a blessing, and prays over the food. And after breakfast, when he has a second time offered up supplication, as at the beginning, so at the conclusion of their meal they praise God in hymns. Next, after they have laid aside as sacred the garments in which they have been clothed while together taking their repast within the house— (now these garments are linen)— and having resumed the clothes which they had left in the vestibule, they hasten to agreeable occupations until evening. And they partake of supper, doing oil things in like manner to those already mentioned. And no one will at any time cry aloud, nor will any other tumultuous voice be heard. But they each converse quietly, and with decorum one concedes the conversation to the other, so that the stillness of those within the house appears a sort of mystery to those outside. And they are invariably sober, eating and drinking all things by measure.
~ Hippolytus (c. 170–235 A.D.), Refutation of All Heresies, Book IX