Elizabeth’s Reviews > Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life > Status Update

“Every virtue is just love in disguise. Each one is another facet of love’s unfolding creativity in acknowledging the reality of God, yourself, another human, or creation” (196).

“Practicing temperance helps us learn how to take joy in the things and people that do not belong to us or do not benefit us directly. Varden comments, ‘To do something beautiful for its own sake, for the intrinsic delight of it, without thought of gain: this, I’d say, is a way of beginning to live chastely in this world.’” (191).

“We learn and practice fortitude daily in a hallowed tenacity, sanctified stubbornness, faithful presence, when it would be far easier to hide, run, or grow embittered” (112).

So much to ponder with wrath/meekness!

“A meek person is a free person, the only truly free person. The meek inherit the earth because they are the only ones who can be trusted with that kingly inheritance. Only meek Mary is the mother of Jesus. Only the meek Jesus can judge hearts; only the mild Savior can rule the world” (94).

Love God most, over any other thing
And yourself, without overreaching,
And your friend, through nature’s teaching,
And your foe, vengeance rejecting.

-pg 60, Grace’s translation of a medieval poem to illustrate the four petals of a plant they used to represent love

I’m reading the whole Envy chapter through an Heir of Redclyffe lens because that is the best novel portrayal of envy I’ve ever read.