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Self-Knowledge & Self-Discipline
General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1916 Original Publisher: Longmans, Green and co. Subjects: Christian life Conduct of life Self-knowledge, Theory of Religion / Christianity / Catholic Religion / Christian Life / General Religion / Spirituality Self-Help / General Self-Help / Personal Growth / Self-Esteem Self-Help / Personal Growth / General Notes: This is an OCR reprint of the original rare book. There may be typos or missing text and there are no illustrations. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. You can also preview the book there.
- GenresPhilosophySelf Help
276 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1909
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 8, 2022
March 8, 2022: I have both the Kindle and the hardback version of this book. The review below is from my kindle read five years ago. When I read the HB version is anyone’s guess, but it must have been sometime before 2007 when I joined goodreads. Recently Fr. Maturin’s work was recommended to our Carmelite community, and I thought I recognized it. Sure enough, I found it. Anyway, pulled it out to see what I might glean from a quick re-perusal.
2017 Review: Some books start off with a bang and end in a whimper. Others aren’t very promising in the beginning but improve as they go along. Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline fell in the latter category—for me anyway. The first three chapters bore the marks of its age (1915) with some preachiness, alleviated when moving from general principles to the practical application of disciplining will, mind, affections and body.
The chapter on mortification resuscitated this oft-seeming pointless exercise. Here is just a small sample of what I mean:
‘A life without any mortification quickly runs to seed, and mortification practised as an end in itself soon degenerates into hardness and cynicism. In every act of dying we must gaze into the tomb with the Magdalene till we see it transformed by the vision of life and beauty that lies beyond it and shines through it. And in every act of living there must be just that element of mortification which prevents us from draining life down to the dregs and exhausting its energies in the death of decay from which there is no door into any life beyond.
We all know the weariness and disappointment that flows quickly upon the footsteps of self-indulgence. We must keep before ourselves constantly in the practice of mortification this principle, if we would get good from it instead of harm. There is no particular advantage in the mere act of giving up what we like. The idea of giving up the good things of this life, its pleasures and enjoyments, simply because it is better in itself to be without them, is assuredly a mistaken one. There is not necessarily any spiritual advantage in the mere act of depriving ourselves of anything in itself harmless.
The fact of not having does not make a man better than the fact of having. Many a man suffering from grinding poverty would conceivably have been a better man and a better Christian if he had not been so poor. In itself it is better, broadly speaking, to have than not to have, to have a full life than an empty life, to have health and friends and the power of enjoyment than not to have them. A man who has everything that this world can give him is not necessarily a worse man or a less spiritual man than one who has nothing. Still less can we suppose that the pain of an act of sacrifice is in itself as pain, pleasing to God. That in giving up a pleasure or an indulgence or an easy life the essential value of the sacrifice is the amount of suffering it costs us. Surely not. The suffering, however important an element it may be, is accidental. There are not a few who think that in proportion as they cease to feel the pain of some act of self-denial it loses its value, and they often torture themselves with fear because they do not suffer more. When prayer or self-denial becomes a pleasure to them they feel as if a good deal of their value was gone. No doubt suffering has its own great and mysterious office as a means of purifying the soul, and as penance for sin, but that is a different thing. I am considering it now merely as an element in mortification and self-sacrifice, and the idea that it is the essential element upon which the value of any act of self-denial depends is assuredly non-Christian.’ Indeed! How often have I run across this type of Christianity? The best mortification is that which Our LORD sends, when He sends it and to the degree which He sends it.
The concluding chapter bordered on mystical. My paper copy is colorfully highlighted from some previously unrecorded read. Now my kindle copy is also highlighted but interestingly at mostly different places.
This is a book worth owning.
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Update, January 2, 2017: Okay, so here I am 3 years down the road. I have the hard copy AND the kindle edition. God willing, I am going to read it this time ... ‘not that I need self-discipline or anything,’ she said, rolling her eyes.
Interestingly my hardback copy has highlights throughout, so maybe it has been read...?
May 21, 2014: Found this for my Kindle for only .99! Can't hardly beat that! Oh and my friend, Nefficus has the best review.
2017 Review: Some books start off with a bang and end in a whimper. Others aren’t very promising in the beginning but improve as they go along. Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline fell in the latter category—for me anyway. The first three chapters bore the marks of its age (1915) with some preachiness, alleviated when moving from general principles to the practical application of disciplining will, mind, affections and body.
The chapter on mortification resuscitated this oft-seeming pointless exercise. Here is just a small sample of what I mean:
‘A life without any mortification quickly runs to seed, and mortification practised as an end in itself soon degenerates into hardness and cynicism. In every act of dying we must gaze into the tomb with the Magdalene till we see it transformed by the vision of life and beauty that lies beyond it and shines through it. And in every act of living there must be just that element of mortification which prevents us from draining life down to the dregs and exhausting its energies in the death of decay from which there is no door into any life beyond.
We all know the weariness and disappointment that flows quickly upon the footsteps of self-indulgence. We must keep before ourselves constantly in the practice of mortification this principle, if we would get good from it instead of harm. There is no particular advantage in the mere act of giving up what we like. The idea of giving up the good things of this life, its pleasures and enjoyments, simply because it is better in itself to be without them, is assuredly a mistaken one. There is not necessarily any spiritual advantage in the mere act of depriving ourselves of anything in itself harmless.
The fact of not having does not make a man better than the fact of having. Many a man suffering from grinding poverty would conceivably have been a better man and a better Christian if he had not been so poor. In itself it is better, broadly speaking, to have than not to have, to have a full life than an empty life, to have health and friends and the power of enjoyment than not to have them. A man who has everything that this world can give him is not necessarily a worse man or a less spiritual man than one who has nothing. Still less can we suppose that the pain of an act of sacrifice is in itself as pain, pleasing to God. That in giving up a pleasure or an indulgence or an easy life the essential value of the sacrifice is the amount of suffering it costs us. Surely not. The suffering, however important an element it may be, is accidental. There are not a few who think that in proportion as they cease to feel the pain of some act of self-denial it loses its value, and they often torture themselves with fear because they do not suffer more. When prayer or self-denial becomes a pleasure to them they feel as if a good deal of their value was gone. No doubt suffering has its own great and mysterious office as a means of purifying the soul, and as penance for sin, but that is a different thing. I am considering it now merely as an element in mortification and self-sacrifice, and the idea that it is the essential element upon which the value of any act of self-denial depends is assuredly non-Christian.’ Indeed! How often have I run across this type of Christianity? The best mortification is that which Our LORD sends, when He sends it and to the degree which He sends it.
The concluding chapter bordered on mystical. My paper copy is colorfully highlighted from some previously unrecorded read. Now my kindle copy is also highlighted but interestingly at mostly different places.
This is a book worth owning.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Update, January 2, 2017: Okay, so here I am 3 years down the road. I have the hard copy AND the kindle edition. God willing, I am going to read it this time ... ‘not that I need self-discipline or anything,’ she said, rolling her eyes.
Interestingly my hardback copy has highlights throughout, so maybe it has been read...?
May 21, 2014: Found this for my Kindle for only .99! Can't hardly beat that! Oh and my friend, Nefficus has the best review.
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August 23, 2017This version of 'Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline' is appalling - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9.... There are so many errors in it that it becomes unreadable. Whoever put this book together hasn't even glanced through it, let alone proof-read it. Also, the text is very small and the width of the paragraphs too wide making it very difficult to read. Maturin's text is worth reading, but I recommend you buy another version!
December 21, 2014
This is a great book! Not fast to digest but so deep in thought and yet simple logic. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to understand themselves and their search for the Other. Our relationship with God is so clearly explained.
August 12, 2015
Wanted to write a review myself. I don't think there is a need for me to since Nefficus summed it up perfectly.
January 10, 2024
Wonderful, life changing book.
In the life of a Catholic we are frequently confessing our sins to move forward with a firm purpose of amendment. Gods grace is sufficient for us. But what about our own cooperation with his grace?
A firm purpose of amendment must have a plan of action. To have a plan of action you need to know who you are, and you need to know who God is too. Because how can you expect to discipline yourself without knowing where you fail to live up to God’s law and will.
As you will read in this book Self Knowledge is entirely moral. And a man IS what he DOES. Not who he says he is or thinks he is. Every man’s life will be judged by the life he has lived; the actions and decisions taken daily.
Moral sympathy is a prerequisite for friendship, and holiness consists in the friendship of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only our friend He is also our ideal and model to look to when shaping and forming our own character.
Growing in knowledge of God will show you where you fall short. But this isn’t meant to discourage us. One cannot help but be excited by the incredible challenge God has set before us knowing He infallibly will give us all the graces we need to become Saints.
The big enchilada of this book for me personally is the chapter “Seat of the Conflict” where Fr. Maturin dives into St. Paul’s epistle to the Roman’s. Excellent stuff in here.
One of the best psychology books ever written. Insightful, practical, and uplifting. A truly timeless book to be enjoyed over and over again. 👍
In the life of a Catholic we are frequently confessing our sins to move forward with a firm purpose of amendment. Gods grace is sufficient for us. But what about our own cooperation with his grace?
A firm purpose of amendment must have a plan of action. To have a plan of action you need to know who you are, and you need to know who God is too. Because how can you expect to discipline yourself without knowing where you fail to live up to God’s law and will.
As you will read in this book Self Knowledge is entirely moral. And a man IS what he DOES. Not who he says he is or thinks he is. Every man’s life will be judged by the life he has lived; the actions and decisions taken daily.
Moral sympathy is a prerequisite for friendship, and holiness consists in the friendship of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only our friend He is also our ideal and model to look to when shaping and forming our own character.
Growing in knowledge of God will show you where you fall short. But this isn’t meant to discourage us. One cannot help but be excited by the incredible challenge God has set before us knowing He infallibly will give us all the graces we need to become Saints.
The big enchilada of this book for me personally is the chapter “Seat of the Conflict” where Fr. Maturin dives into St. Paul’s epistle to the Roman’s. Excellent stuff in here.
One of the best psychology books ever written. Insightful, practical, and uplifting. A truly timeless book to be enjoyed over and over again. 👍
February 15, 2022
Excellent book from start to finish. This author is invaluable for true faith formation. Everything in this book aligns with the understanding I’ve gotten so far from what Jesus is really asking of the Christian, so it’s a very reassuring and helpful book for one who is truly interested in finding the true path and learning how to remain on it. This is a book for those whose hearts are set on eternity. The worldly person will likely be displeased with some or all of it because it’s absolutely not going to tell you what you want to hear unless you want to hear the truth and nothing but.
He writes well while remaining easy to grasp. Highly recommend.
He writes well while remaining easy to grasp. Highly recommend.
December 18, 2020
This book demonstrates the real goal of self discipline, which is union with God. Giving up legitimate good things for a higher good is always the best way to mortify yourself. The love that initiates the action and follows it makes it effective and enduring. Other attempts based on a misconception of the body as inherently evil or good are doomed to fail. Knowing yourself and your weaknesses and being patient with them can only happen if we have God's assistance in the process. I found much to help me reorient my approach to this very important part of spirituality.
March 2, 2023
A Beautiful Book
I love all Maturin’s writings. They are thought provoking, meditation inspiring food for the spiritual life. I find I need to read at a time when I have few distractions because there is so much spiritual wisdom to ponder. His book on Christian self-mastery is also excellent. His spirituality is both consoling and challenging.
I love all Maturin’s writings. They are thought provoking, meditation inspiring food for the spiritual life. I find I need to read at a time when I have few distractions because there is so much spiritual wisdom to ponder. His book on Christian self-mastery is also excellent. His spirituality is both consoling and challenging.
September 2, 2019
life changing book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews