Category Archives: Commonplaces

The Very Strongest Bodies Commenced with Milk

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“We are giving small instructions, while professing to educate an orator. But even studies have their infancy, and as the rearing of the very strongest bodies commenced with milk and the cradle, so he, who was to be the most eloquent of men, once uttered cries, tried to speak at first with a stuttering voice, and hesitated at the shapes of the letters. Nor, if it is impossible to learn a thing completely, is it therefore unnecessary to learn it at all.”

– Quintilian, Institutes of Oratory

Learn about Quintilian in Old Western Culture: The Romans

Limited Government

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Why did the Founders want limited government? Because they read their history, and very particularly the Roman historians.

“Not equally moderate was his brother, surnamed Felix, who had for some time been governor of Judaea, and thought that he could do any evil act with impunity, backed up as he was by such power.”

– Tacitus, The Annals

Learn about Tacitus in Old Western Culture: The Romans

Those things which tend to Effeminate the Mind

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“Of all these, the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of our Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind.”

– Julius Caesar, The Gallic Wars.

Learn about Julius Caesar in Old Western Culture: The Romans

Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Aeneid

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“How does Geoffrey of Monmouth’s History of the Kings of Britain echo the main theme of the Aeneid?

The Aeneid describes in an epic fashion the destiny of the Roman people to bring peace to the world through conquering the nations and bringing civilization. Geoffrey directly echoes this idea as Brutus receives a prophecy that his descendants will govern the earth. So Geoffrey depicts the British people as being the heirs of the Roman destiny.

— Defense of the Faith student workbook question, from Old Western Culture curriculum.

Bordedom

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“Nothing is so intolerable for man as to be in a state of complete tranquility, without passions, without business, without diversion, without effort. Then he feels his nothingness, his abandonment, his inadequacy, his dependence, his helplessness, his emptiness. At once from the depths of his soul arise boredom, gloom, sadness, grief, vexation, despair.”

Blaise Pascal, Pensées, 515.