There has been, in our life-time, another great book written. It is called Beauty, and is by Roger Scruton.
All posts by unknowing
Great Books
Posted by unknowing on June 2, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/06/02/great-books/
Heart Worship
One task of the illuminated Christian teacher is to internalize worship and raise the religious concepts of church people above the figures and allegories that enabled them to grasp those concepts in the first place. The figure is the box in which the shining jewel is carried; but it is surprisingly easy to mistake the [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 31, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/heart-worship/
3
Three years ago today we landed in Bogotá.
Posted by unknowing on May 31, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/3/
Why Beauty Matters
In case you haven’t seen it. The book, of course, is better. It is extraordinary, actually. But here for those who are lighter in their loafers or cannot get enough is the video. Pretty well done.
Posted by unknowing on May 30, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/why-beauty-matters/
From Behind the Pulpit
One thing you learn is to work hard at preparing. Failing in public is not something I’m comfortable with yet. And all of us know of instances, awful instances, of people getting up in public to speak and failing: failing to make sense, failing to maintain interest, failing to say anything worthwhile. Not all, however, [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 28, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/from-behind-the-pulpit/
Eyes That Last I Saw in Tears
Eyes that last I saw in tearsThrough divisionHere in death’s dream kingdomThe golden vision reappearsI see the eyes but not the tearsThis is my affliction This is my afflictionEyes I shall not see againEyes of decisionEyes I shall not see unlessAt the door of death’s other kingdomWhere, as in this,The eyes outlast a little whileA [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 28, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/28/eyes-that-last-i-saw-in-tears/
Holy Sonnet XIX
Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one: Inconstancy unnaturally hath begott A constant habit; that when I would not I change in vowes, and in devotione. As humorous is my contritione As my prophane Love, and as soone forgott: As ridlingly distemper’d, cold and hott, As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none. I [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 26, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/holy-sonnet-xix/
Pagan Instruction
Men. What do you mean by the word “right”? Soc. I will explain. If a man knew the way to Larisa, or anywhere else, and went to the place and led others thither, would he not be a right and good guide? Men. Certainly. Soc. And a person who had a right opinion about the [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 26, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/26/pagan-instruction/
Back to Plato
People have expectations. The question is, where do these expectations come from? You know what would be really useful? To know what kind of questions to ask in order to identify and examine those expectations.
Posted by unknowing on May 25, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/25/back-to-plato/
Applications
It is official: I am freed form my contract here at the end of August. We will probably return to the USA in September. In the meantime, I need to start looking for employment. It is worth trying to see about getting something now, even though I may well end up at a temp agency [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 23, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/applications/
A Dream
In my dream we went back to a church we used to attend. We came at a wrong hour, in between or during. Were in an antechamber of some sort, not desirous to interrupt. Eventually were recognized but not with any warmth. I then found out I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. How I [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 22, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/a-dream/
December 27, 1940
Oh Arthur, why didn’t we live a century earlier? Still, we must console ourselves by being glad that we didn’t live any later, that we had at least acquired our habits of mind before everything went bust. -C.S. Lewis
Posted by unknowing on May 22, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/december-27-1940/
Between
The rainy season will not come and will not go. Is this the usual weather? Man I miss the cold. I miss it so much I’m running out of phthalo blue, the coldest blue I have. I’m running out of all the original Brazilian watercolors that I bought. The next lot is Chinese, and I [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 19, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/19/between/
Villavicencio
It is the gateway to the plains, those great plains which roll along all the way through Venezuela. The plains are like no other place in Colombia, quite their own phenomenon. They have great rivers but are not great jungles like further south. The plains are cattle country and have a tradition of wild, untamed [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 15, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/villavicencio/
Animula
‘Issues from the hand of God, the simple soul,’ To a flat world of changing lights and noise, To light, dark, dry or damp, chilly or warm, Moving between the legs of tables and of chairs Rising or falling, grasping at kisses and toys, Advancing boldly, sudden to take alarm, Retreating to the corner of [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 12, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/animula/
A Weekend on a Horse
I’d love to spend a weekend on a horse riding after a fox in company of the intelligent variety who hunt without a feeling of remorse . . . who hunt, but with a feeling of regret for all the things we do not any more remember, understand, admire, adore– out of the West on [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 12, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/a-weekend-on-a-horse/
Watercoloring
Let’s separate the sheep from the goats here. I have lots of decent watercolors and don’t want to do them in themes etc. So I have this Tumblr account where I’ll just keep putting up the old and the new rather than here. I think it will automatically tweet new posts there, but I am [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 11, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/watercoloring/
Tan de Buenas!
The expression “tan de buenas” is one that will give the dynamic equivalence translators support to keep them going for years. It means “how fortunate!” but the literal translation is nonsense. Colombians use it whenever they have good luck, for example when they get a seat on the Transmilenio, which is unusual. I had good [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 10, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/tan-de-buenas/
A Celebration Tree
Well, the good news yesterday was that there is no reason to keep me here after August. So I think we will probably return in September or October to the land of deciduous trees, neatly missing summer. Won’t that be wonderful? And in three days time there shall appear on the internet my Rodo inspired [...]
Posted by unknowing on May 10, 2012
http://unknowing.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/a-celebration-tree/
For He willeth we know that the least thing shall not be forgotten
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The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works
Preparation of heart is the unlearning the prejudices of evil converse
If we cannot write with the beauty of Mozart, let us at least try to write with his purity
