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May 27, 2012 by kevinstilley

Augustine of Hippo – select quotes

Book Cover

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Accordingly, whatever in secular histories runs counter to it [Scripture] we do not hesitate to brand as wholly false, while with respect to nonparallel matters we remain indifferent.
~ in The City of God, trans. Gerald G. Walsh, Demetrius B. Zema, Grace Monahan and Daniel Honan (NY: Image, 1958), page. 408.

For, if He visited every sin here below with manifest penalty, it might be thought that no score remained to be settled at the Last Judgment. On the other hand, if God did not plainly enough punish sin on earth, people might conclude that there is no such thing as Divine Providence. So, too, in regard to the good things of life. If God did not bestow them with patent liberality on some who ask Him, we could possibly argue that such things did not depend on His power. On the other hand, if He lavished them on all who asked, we might have the impression that God is to be served only for the gifts He bestows. In that case, the service of God would not make us religious, but rather covetous and greedy. (Bk 1, Ch 8)

He that is good is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though, he be a king.

So, too, the tide of trouble will test, purify, and improve the good, but beat, crush, and wash away the wicked. So it is that, under the weight of the same affliction, the wicked deny and blaspheme god, and the good pray to Him and praise Him. The difference is not in what people suffer but in the way they suffer. (bk 1, ch 8)

The law detects, grace alone conquers sin.

Total abstinence is easier than perfect moderation.

O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.

Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand.

When facts are reported, they deny the value of evidence; when the evidence is produced, they declare it inconclusive.
~ in The City of God

Thou has made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee.
~ in Confessions

God is not what you imagine or what you think you understand. If you understand you have failed.

__________

Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, Quotes, Theology Tagged With: africa, ancient, Augustine, Blog, Church History, city of god, classic, Confessions, Hippo, medieval, middle ages, Quotes, western civilization

March 23, 2011 by kevinstilley

Euripides – select quotes

Euripides

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The gods have sent medicines for the venom of serpents, but there is no medicine for a bad woman. She is more noxious than the viper, or any fire itself.
~ in Andromache

Man’s greatest tyrants are his wife and children.
~ in Oedipus

Man’s best possession is a sympathetic wife.
~ in Fragments, no. 164

No man is wholly free. He is slave to wealth, or to fortune, or the laws, or the people restrain him from acting according to his will alone.
~ in Hecuba

Plain and unvarnished are the words of truth.
~ in The Phoenissae

The facts speak for themselves.
~ in Fragments

There are three classes of citizens. The first are the rich, who are indolent and yet always crave more. The second are the poor, who have nothing, are full of envy, hate the rich, and are easily led by demagogues. Between the two extremes lie those who make the state secure and uphold the laws.
~ in The Suppliants

Along with success comes a reputation for wisdom.

Among mortals second thoughts are wisest.

Better a serpent than a stepmother!

But learn that to die is a debt we must all pay.

Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.

Cleverness is not wisdom.

Danger gleams like sunshine to a brave man’s eyes.

Do not plan for ventures before finishing what’s at hand.

Events will take their course, it is no good being angry at them; he is happiest who wisely turns them to the best account.

Fortune truly helps those who are of good judgment.

Happiness is brief. It will not stay. God batters at its sails.

He is not a lover who does not love forever.

He was a wise man who originated the idea of God.

Human misery must somewhere have a stop; there is no wind that always blows a storm.

I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.

Impudence is the worst of all human diseases.

It’s not beauty but fine qualities, my girl, that keep a husband.

Leave no stone unturned.

Life has no blessing like a prudent friend.

New faces have more authority than accustomed ones.

Nothing has more strength than dire necessity.

One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.

Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.

Silence is true wisdom’s best reply.

Slight not what’s near through aiming at what’s far.

Some wisdom you must learn from one who’s wise.

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.

Ten soldiers wisely led will beat a hundred without a head.

The best and safest thing is to keep a balance in your life, acknowledge the great powers around us and in us. If you can do that, and live that way, you are really a wise man.

The best of seers is he who guesses well.

The good and the wise lead quiet lives.

The lucky person passes for a genius.

The wisest men follow their own direction.

This is slavery, not to speak one’s thought.

Those whom God wishes to destroy, he first makes angry.

To a father growing old, nothing is dearer than a daughter.

‘Twas but my tongue, ’twas not my soul that swore.

Waste not fresh tears over old griefs.

Whoso neglects learning in his youth, loses the past and is dead for the future.

Youth is the best time to be rich, and the best time to be poor.

__________

Book Cover

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Filed Under: Blog, Front Page, History, Quotes Tagged With: ancient, Ancient Western Civ, Blog, drama, Euripides, literature, Philosophy, plays, Quotes, western civilization, wisdom

January 10, 2011 by kevinstilley

Early Western Civilization – Syllabus

Course Syllabus – Spring 2011

The College at Southwestern

HIS 1103-A    W/F    1:15-2:30  Room F-17

Instructor: Kevin Stilley

Office Hours:  By Appointment

Email:  [email protected]

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/kevinstilley

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/kevin.stilley

Catalog Description

A study of the history and philosophy of western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.

Course Objectives

  • Appreciation of God’s providence in the overall pattern of history.
  • To gain knowledge of the main events, ideas and persons that have shaped western civilization from antiquity to the rise of Christianity.
  • To understand how the Biblical record and western civilization are related and be able to outline the relationship between revelation and historical records.
  • Development of the skill of applying history to contemporary ideas and issues

Required Texts

  • Susan Wise Bauer.  The History of the Ancient World: From the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome
  • Paul L. Maier. The Flames of Rome
  • R.K. Harrison.  Old Testament Times

Recommended Texts

  • A good historically oriented study Bible is strongly recommended.  Two of the better ones are the ESV Study Bible and the NIV Archaeological Study Bible.
  • Lynn Troyka & Douglas Hesse.  Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 8th ed.

Blackboard

Blackboard and SWBTS student email will be used for class communications.  Students should check both Blackboard and student email daily for possible communications from the instructor.  WARNING:  Use of Blackboard requires that students pass an e-license test.  Complete this test as early as possible during the semester to avoid being locked out of Blackboard at the time the first exam is being conducted via that medium.  Alternative dates and formats for the test will NOT be offered.

Assignments

Grades will be determined based upon completion of three exams, two writing assignments/projects, and class participation.

  • Examination #1  (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.

  • Examination #2 (25%) – This exam will be conducted via Blackboard so please be sure to have a good internet connection available on the day of the exam.
  • Final Exam: (25%) – The date and time for the final exam may not coincide with normal class days and times. You must make yourself available to take the final exam at the scheduled time during finals week.   No alternative times or venues for the exam will be offered.
  • Writing Assignments / Projects (20%): Two writing projects have been assigned for this semester.

o   Create in the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?”  It may be helpful to consult the list of quotations found at http://kevinstilley.com/history-select-quotes/  (5%)

o   A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks. The project can take many forms and students are encouraged to use creativity in its creation (examples:  board game, music, poetry, website, map, art, PowerPoint presentation, etc.).  (15%)

  • Participation (5%): All students are expected to attend class, be punctual, and participate appropriately in classroom discussion.  To engage in classroom discussion of the assigned reading it is imperative that all reading assignments be conducted in a timely fashion.  Be prepared or we may have to resort to the scenario found at the following url;  http://kevinstilley.com/a-warning-for-my-students/.   Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of all class sessions and again after each break. Absences or tardiness will adversely affect your grade.  Absences in excess of six (three for night classes) will result in an automatic failure of the class.  Students are free to record the class.  Guests are generally welcome, but please request permission from the instructor.  Laptops, iPhones, and similar devices may NOT be used during class as their usefulness is far outweighed by their ability to create a distraction.
  • OPTIONAL: A book report on The Flames of Rome may be substituted for any one of the above assignments.

Grades

Grades will be determined by the following scale: 100-98 (A+); 97-93 = A; 92-90 (A-); 89-88(B+); 87-83 (B); 82-80 (B-); 79-78 (C+); 77-73 (C); 72-70 (C-); 69-68 (D+); 67-63 (D); 62-60 (D-); Below 60 = F.

“When a man is busy at study, the Evil Impulse whispers to him: Why tarryest thou here.  Go and join the men who flirt with pretty women.” – Talmud, Zohar, ii, 265b

Tentative Schedule

HIS 1103-A Topic Assignment Due Today
January 14 Introduction to Course Please print out and bring your syllabus to this class session.
January 19 What Is History and Why Should It Be Important to Christians? Read: Harrison, chapter 1

Turn In: In the style of a David Letterman’s Top 10 List, “Reasons Why Christians should be interested in history?”

January 21 Pre-history & Genesis 1-11 Read: Genesis 1-11; Bauer, Preface;  The Everlasting Man – Chapter 2 (available on Blackboard)
January 26 Sumer & Akkad Read:  Bauer, chapters 1, 2, 3, 8, 10

January 28 Egypt Read:  Bauer chapter 4, 7, 9, 11

February 2 The Patriarchal Period Read:  Harrison, chapter 3
February 4 Hyksos, Hammurabi, Moses & The Nation of Israel Read:  Bauer chapters 23, 27, 32; Harrison, pages 119-127, 144-150

February 9 Western Semitic Power Grabs / David, Solomon, & Rehoboam (The United and Divided Kingdom) Read:  Bauer chapters 34, 39, 45,

Recommended: Harrison, chapter 7

February 11 Assyria, Babylon, the Medes & The Persians Read:   Bauer pp. 371-390, 410-417, 443-468, Old Testament book of Daniel
February 16 Examination #1 Examination #1 – On Blackboard
February 18 “Meanwhile in Greece…” Read:   Bauer pp. 183-190, 224-228, 253-257, 281-284
February 23 Greek Mythology & Religion Recommended: Hellenistic-Roman Religions, by Everett Ferguson (available on Blackboard)

February 25 The Persian Wars

History Channel Video: The 300

Read:   Bauer pp. 514-534
March 2 History Channel Video: The 300 (pt. 2) – Birth of Democracy Read:   Bauer pp. 350-352, 354-358, 418-430
March 4 The Peloponnesian Wars & Alexander the Great Read:   Bauer pp. 539-554; 570-582; 591-607
March 9 Pre-Socratic Philosophy Recommended:

  • Presocratics, by Gordon Clark (available on Blackboard)
  • Philosophy Before Socrates, by John Mark Reynolds (available on Blackboard)
March 11 Socrates, Sophists, Plato Recommended: The Sophists, Socrates and Plato, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
March 23 Aristotle Recommended: Plato and Aristotle, by Donald Palmer (available on Blackboard)
March 25 Hellenistic & Early Roman Philosophy Recommended: Stoics, Cynics, Epicureans, and Sceptics, by A. H. Armstrong (available on Blackboard)
March 30 Examination #2 Examination #2 – On Blackboard
April 1 Romulus to Hannibal

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 1

Read:   Bauer pp. 358-360, 431-436, 469-480, 555-561, 584-590, 607, 625-627, 629-641
April 6 Roman Prosperity

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 2

Read:   Bauer pp. 644-647, 659-673, 676-678

April 8 Roman Empire

Drive-Thru History – Rome Episode 3

Read:   Bauer pp. 680-696, 697-711

April 13 Six Flags Over Israel Read: Harrison pages 299-333

April 15 Roman Provinces & Israel During The Intertestamental Period Read: Bauer pp. 717-734
April 20 War With Rome & The Destruction of the Temple Turn In: A timeline combining the main events from the Hebrew Bible with the material from our textbooks.
April 22 No Class No Class
April 27 Western Civilization & The Kingdom of God

(or) Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Art, Literature, etc.

Read:   Bauer pp. 735-744, 751-756, 759-777

Recommended:

  • Genesis 1-11
  • Daniel 2
  • Matthew
  • Revelation 1
April 29 – 1:00 Final Examination Final Examination In Class

Filed Under: Blog, History, Philosophy Tagged With: ancient, Old Testament, Syllabus, western civilization

October 11, 2009 by kevinstilley

Marcus Tullius Cicero – select quotes

Marcus Tullius Cicero

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Of all the gifts of the gods to the human race, philosophy is the richest, the most beautiful, the most exalted.
~ in De Legibus

Philosophy is the best medicine for the mind.

History, the evidence of time, the light of truth, the life of memory, the directress of life, the herald of antiquity, committed to immortality.
~ in De Oratore [Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog, Quotes Tagged With: ancient, antiquity, Blog, Cicero, civ, civiliation, death, happiness, History, law, Philosophy, proverbs, quips, Quotes, Western, wisdom

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