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“‘Blessed are those who mourn…’ The mourning of which the Lord speaks is nonconformity with evil; it is a way of resisting models of behavior that the individual is pressured to accept because ‘everyone does it’. The world cannot tolerate this kind of resistance; it demands conformity. It considers this mourning to be an accusation directed against the numbing of conscience. And so it is.”

Observations from Book 1

The overall method of delivery is often jarring. Incomplete definitions of a particular subject are presented only to be followed by long reams of questions and qualifications. The “debate” aspect, if you will, often obfuscates the point being made. One thing I loved was the discussion of virtue (arete) as both superior functionality and moral rectitude (ie proper doing and right being).

This is one of my wife's favorite books and I've been enjoying it. My main observation so far is that the narration is very self-aware.

I’m loving this book. So many helpful ideas to come back to once I’ve finished the book.

“When I married I became very rich. It used to worry me, and I thought it wrong to have so many beautiful things when others had nothing. Now I realize that it is possible for the rich to sin by coveting the privileges of the poor. The poor have always been the favorites of God and his saints, but I believe that it is one of the special achievements of grace to sanctify the whole of life, riches included.”

It's clear that even if the foundations of capitalism were properly created by Hamilton, the lack of understanding by those first using the system was a real problem. I love this Jefferson quote: "The spirit of gaming, once it has seized a subject, is incurable. The tailor who has made thousands in one day, though he lost them the next, can never again be content with the slow and moderate earnings of his needle."

Plato’s Republic was a work I first picked up during senior year of college for my senior thesis. Regrettably, it became a text that was more picked through for ideas and quotes than one that was read in its entirety for what it was. As I begin an effort to read a broad swath of philosophical authors and self-teach myself the basics of philosophy, I figured that returning here at the onset would be fitting.

Plato’s Republic was a work I first picked up during senior year of college for my senior thesis. Regrettably, it became a text that was more picked through for ideas and quotes than one that was read in its entirety for what it was. As I begin an effort to read a broad swath of philosophical authors and self-teach myself the basics of philosophy, I figured that returning here at the onset would be fitting.

Onto rule #5!

Onto Part III. Part I set up the backdrop, Part II set up the characters and the conflicts at work. Excited to wrap this book up and see where Dostoevsky takes these characters.

Dostoevsky has turned up the heat in such a good way. It’s incredible how a change in character perspective from Stepan to Nicolas instantly changed the entire mood and feel of the book. That change in perspective is really emphasizing the different aspects of nihilism and atheism - different forms of incoherence. My one other note: the extended double chapter Night was so atmospheric and intense!

I didn’t have huge expectations for this book initially but man has it grown on me. Even just John’s articulation of the problems we’re facing as a culture so far in the book is spot-on. It’s given me plenty to ponder as I work to grow in a healthy approach to not only work but life as a whole.

Just finished the chapter on spiritual consolations. I can already see why Fr. Nathan recommended this book to me: it gives a way to think about so many pieces of the spiritual life so as to build a relationship with God that grows and is dynamic.

It’s been an unexpected read so far. It reads like a period piece with some deeper undertones starting to come through. I’m really curious to see how this novel evolves now that the characters are starting to come into focus.