Tag Archives: quotes

Barchester Towers

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My beloved Latin teacher thought I would enjoy reading Anthony Trollope.  Since he and his wife have a 100% record for recommending good books, I perked up and began looking.  My rural library had one offering (on tape) of Anthony Trollope and a huge selection of Joanna Trollope (a descendant of AT’s).  I listened to An Old Man’s Love with great enjoyment. Next, I logged on to Librivox and listened to The Warden, the first of his six Barset Chronicles. 

Barchester Towers is the second book in the Barset Chronicles.  Happily, I purchased this book and could make it my own by marking it up.  I like Trollope better than Dickens, and I like Dickens very much.  Trollope, like Dickens, employs descriptive names:  Mr. Slope for an oily clergyman,  Dr. Fillgrave,  Mr. and Mrs. Quiverful,  Dr. and Mrs. Proudie.  Trollope doesn’t surpass Jane Austen, but then who does?

Trollope inserts authorial comments, breaking the rule I pounded into my students: “Don’t write about your writing.”  Some critics (Henry James and W. H. Auden) found this very off-putting; it made me chuckle.  Trollope writes about everyday, ordinary life with grace and perception. What I particularly appreciate is that his bad characters are not entirely evil; his protagonists have failures. And the humor!  Wry observations are crammed with humor.  The best thing is to give you some samples:

The venom of the chaplain’s harangue had worked into his blood, and sapped the life of his sweet contentment.  p.114

Considering how much we are all given to discuss the characters of others, and discuss them often not in the strictest spirit of charity, it is singular how little we are inclinded to think that others can speak ill-naturedly of us, and how angry and hurt we are when proof reaches us that they have done so.  It is hardly too much to say that we all of us occasionally speak of our dearest friends in a manner in which those dearest friends would very little like to hear themselves mentioned; and that we nevertheless expect that our dearest freinds shall invariably speak of us as though they were blind to all our faults, but keenly alive to every shade of our virtues.   p. 185

Mr. Arabin declared that the morning light at any rate was perfect, and deprecated any interference with the lime trees.  And then they took a stroll out among the trim parterres, and Mr. Arabin explained to Mrs. Bold the difference between a naiad and a dryad, and dilated on vases and the shapes of urns.  Miss Thorne busied herself among her pansies; and her brother, finding it quite impracticable to give anything of a peculiarly Sunday tone to the conversation, abandoned the attempt, and had it out with the archdeacon about the Bristol guano.  p. 220

Mrs. Quiverful did not mention the purpose of her business, nor did the farmer alloy his kindness by any unseemly questions.    p. 237

He wished to be what he called “safe” with all those whom he had admitted to the penetralia of his house and heart […] His feelings towards his friends were, that while they stuck to him he would stick to them; that he would work with them shoulder to shoulder; that he would be faithful to the faithful.  He knew nothing of that beautiful love which can be true to a false friend.    p. 269

By seven [a.m.] she was dressed and down.  Miss Thorne knew nothing of the modern luxury of déshabilles.  She would as soon have thought of appearing before her brother without her stockings as without her stays; and Miss Thorne’s stays were no trifle.  p. 346

He [Mr Slope] longed in his heart to be preaching at her.  ‘Twas thus that he was ordinarily avenged of sinning mortal men and women. Could he at once have ascended his Sunday rostrum and fulminated at her such denunciations as his spirit delighted in, his bosom would have been greatly eased.  p. 399

Off Schedule, Perfect Timing

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Officially, we are behind in school.  Wedding preparations and other life events have crowded our schedule.  But! In the glorious timing of our behindness we get to read Athanasius’s On the Incarnation during Advent.  How awesome (a word I very seldom use) is that? 

Athanasius is a great Trinitarian hero.  I get tingly and throat-lumpy whenever I sing or hear this verse in O Come All Ye Faithful:

God of God, Light of Light;
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb:
Very God, begotten, not created;

I usually whisper a quick prayer, “Thank you, Lord, for Athanasius.”  If not for him, we would not sing that verse.

Short version of a great story:  Athanasius Contra Mundum (Athanasius against the world) is a well known phrase from early church history.  A controversy boiled over in the fourth century.  A man named Arian had persuaded most of the bishops that Christ was just a man.  Athanasius strove for the doctrine of the deity of Christ. Someone said to the Great A. “Athanasius, the whole world is against you.”  His reply was, “Then Athanasius is against the world.”

A bonus is the Introduction by C.S. Lewis.  Can I tempt you with some Lewis quotes?

There is a strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amateur should content himself with the modern books.

~     ~     ~

It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.  If that is too much for you, you should at least read one old one to every three new ones.

~     ~     ~

The only palliative [for chronological blindness] is to keep the clean sea breeze of the centuries blowing through our minds, and this can be done only by reading old books.

So what do you think of those quotes?  Do you agree or disagree?  Are you like me, who agrees in theory, but has not put it into practice?

We’re reading Athanasius – yessssssss!

Monday Marriage Quote

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Albert Anker, artist


“I suppose it was that in courtship everything is regarded as provisional and preliminary; and the smallest sample of virtue or accomplishment is taken to guarantee delightful stores which the broad leisure of marriage will reveal. But the door-sill of marriage once crossed, expectation is concentrated on the present.  Having once embarked on your marital voyage, it is impossible not to be aware that you make no way and that the sea is not within sight – that, in fact, you are exploring an enclosed basin.”                                     ~ George Eliot in Middlemarch

The Greatest English Classic

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If you love the Bible, you love English literature, and you adore words this would be a good book to read. 

I remember a conversation with a friend – a cynic, agnostic/atheist (he couldn’t decide), and a curmudgeon who couldn’t help but be lovable in his crankiness.  We worked together and often got sidetracked discussing our philosophies, viewpoints, etc.  We were opposites on so many issues; but we respected one another and usually had a cracking good time while we debated.  Finally, for efficiency, we restricted theology to Thursdays. 

Once, out of the blue, he asked, “Do you read the Bible every day, [insert last name]?”  

I squirmed and replied, “Well, I try to, but I have varying levels of consistency.” 

“You read the King James Version?” he continued.

“Uh, no.  Readability–vocabulary–not the best choice.”  We often telescoped our sentences when we talked.

“You’re flat wrong, Carol.  You ought to be reading the King James Version.  You will develop an ear for strong, muscular words, for poetry, for cadence, for language if you read the KJV.”

Isn’t it funny that, twenty years later, we now agree on that one?  I’m not an “exclusive KJV” Christian, but I really am enjoying reading through it. 

Cleland McAfee’s The Greatest English Classic (1912) tells the story of translations before the KJV, the making of the KJV, and why it is a classic.  He then outlines the influence the KJV has had on literature and history.

“The Bible is a book-making book.  It is literature which provokes literature.” (p.130)

This interested me:  He divided English literature since the making of the KJV (began 1604) into these groups:
          1. Jacobean Period (Milton, Bunyan, Dryden, Addison, Pope)
          2. Georgian Period (Shelley, Byron, Coleridge, Scott, Wordsworth)
          3. Victorian Age (Arnold, Browning, Carlyle, Dickens, Eliot, Kingsby, Macauly, Ruskin, Stevenson,                         Swinburne, Tennyson, Thackery)
          4.  American Writers (Franklin, Poe, Irving, Bryant, Curtis, Emerson, Hawthorne, Holmes, Lowell,                             Longfellow, Thoreau, Whittier)
 
Remember: this book was written in 1912.  Do you notice who is missing from the list?  Miss Jane!! HELLO!!  And I am heartbroken to tell you I didn’t copy the quote about Austen, so I shall have to paraphrase:

       ~ Austen doesn’t have any lasting influence on the flow of English literature. ~

So that’s what he thought back then.  There was enough other good stuff to atone for this grievous offence, but I did contemplate throwing the book against the wall for one moment.

“There has come about a “decay of literary allusions,” as one of our papers editorially says.  In much of our writing, either the transient or the permanent, men can no longer risk easy reference to classical literature. ” (p. 270)

“The tendency of language is always to become vague, since we are lazy in the use of it.  We use one word in various ways, and a pet one for many ideas.” (p.102)

I gleaned several names of authors I’d like to explore from this book (John Ruskin, Maria Edgeworth, Thomas Grey).  I was also reminded of favorite passages I’ve read in the past that I’d like to revisit (from Eliot, Dickens and Tennyson).

Monday Marriage Quote – G.K. Chesterton

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Very few people ever state properly the strong argument in favour of marrying for love or against marrying for money.  The argument is not that all lovers are heros and heroines, nor is it that all dukes are profligates or all millionaires cads.  The argument is this, that the differences between a man and a woman are at best so obstinate and exasperating that they practically cannot be got over unless there is an atmosphere of exaggerated tenderness and mutual interest.  To put the matter in one metaphor, the sexes are two stubborn pieces of iron; if they are to be welded together, it must be while they are red-hot. 

Every woman has to find out that her husband is a selfish beast, because every man is a selfish beast by the standard of a woman.  But let her find out the beast while they are both still in the story of “Beauty and the Beast.” Every man has to find out his wife is cross-that is to say, sensitive to the point of madness: for every woman is mad by the masculine standard.  But let him find out that she is mad while her madness is more worth considering than anyone else’s sanity.                                                                                                                      
                                ~ G.K. Chesterton in The Common Man

Imitation of Christ

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Thomas à Kempis’s classic The Imitation of Christ has been a slow read for me.  It’s that kind of book.  I read a quote from this contemporary version by William Griffin and the fresh, dancing language drew me in even more than the devotional thoughts. 

There is much to be praised about both the original and the translation.  I did find myself arguing with the book on many of the pages.  I don’t believe that we are just passing time here on earth and waiting for life in heaven to fulfill us, that we should despise this life.  Just as often, though, the words hit their mark and resonated.  I received a great benefit from the constant reminders to examine motives, deny myself, and take up my cross.  I will pick this book up often in the future.   Its design makes it perfect for short readings.

Griffin’s clever phrases captured and delighted me.  Here are some samples:

Toad I must be, O Lord, and toad I must remain.  Why? Because I toed the mark and failed.  Of course, I could have toadied up to You, Lord God of all amphibians, but even in this I failed.

Grace and Charity have this way of clearing the floor of cranks and releasing all the warmths of the soul.

If you think of yourself as an ant, and really despise your antics, and don’t antagonize others, and prefer to be squished under foot than crowned king of the world–then that’s something to be truly proud of.

Drown me in Love, my Lord, that I may learn how smooth and swimming it is to love.

Yes, consolation’s a good thing, but not all consolations are good. We’re succored by some, but suckered by others.

Dust up and empty out that place within, and don’t leave behind any fur balls.  Strip bare your soul, and purify your heart first; then you’ll have some time to see how sweet the Lord is.

My pedagogy?  Well, I’m the Logos, and so I don’t need a lot of logorrhea to make My points.

What Devout hogging the fireplace doesn’t feel his bottom growing warm!  You’re the Fount, the splish and the splash! You’re the Flame, the cackle, and the crackle…You’re the Pipe of wine that flows freely; that’s to say, the Heavenly Cask containing the graces and consolations.  At least for others if not for me.  But if I’m not allowed to drink from the butt, I’ll die of thirst.  Perhaps the tap’s in the off position.  There’d still be some drippage, some droppage.  I could survive on that.  Anything to slake my thirst, make my fever subside.

Who’s the sort of person grace will occasionally grace? The one who pulls his intention up to God with a simple heart as his only winch and hoists himself out of the slough of self-love.

Fine Art Friday – Gérôme

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                                   The Christian Martyrs’ Last Prayer by Jean-Léon Gérôme

You can see a larger scale of this print here.  We’ve almost finished Eusebius’ The Church History, which is full of stories about martyrs.  Eusebius not only paints pictures of the brave, courageous martyrs; he tells of those who escaped martyrdom, who under the strain “sacrificed” [to the Roman god].  This was a time of great unrest with a reign of an emperor lasting 2-5 years.  Because there were alternating periods of persecution and peace, there were folks who denied their faith under pressure and then repented and came back to the church.  

The response of church leaders to those who had recanted and subsequently returned to the church became a major point of dissention.  Some bishops required rebaptism and some sort of purification; some bishops [incuding Novatus] refused to offer any forgiveness and with contempt damned the repentant recantors with no hope of salvation.  The orthodox bishops disagreed. A synod convened and

“It was decreed unanimously that Novatus, his companions in arrogance, and all who supported his hatred and inhumanity to the brethren should be considered outside the church, but that those brothers who had fallen should be treated and restored with the medicine of repentance.” p. 239

Another divisive issue involved which day to celebrate Easter.  One side favored strict adherence to the precise date on the Jewish calendar for Passover and celebrated on whichever day of the week it fell on [absolute date].  The other side believed strongly that Easter should be celebrated on the day of the resurrection (Sunday) [absolute day].  This was no small quarrel: strong words were used to describe the opponents and whole dioceses were excommunicated.  Polycarp and Anicetus, two leaders, provided a great example.

“And when the blessed Polycarp visited Rome in Anicetus’s time, though they had minor disagreements on other matters, they made peace immediately, having no wish to quarrel on this point. Anicetus could not persuade Polycarp…nor did Polycarp persuade Anicetus… Nevertheless, they communed with each other, and in church Anicetus yielded…to Polycarp, obviously out of respect. They parted from each other in peace, and peace in the whole church was maintained both by those who observed and those who did not.” p. 199


 

Monday Marriage Musings

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A few years ago three young men in our small church left home to go to college in Washington, Kentucky and Florida.  Last Christmas each brought home his “beloved”  to our valley for a visit.  The three couples spent one day snowboarding together. This Christmas, within a space of three weeks,  these three young couples will be getting married in three different states.  It is such a joy to see how God has blessed these ones we’ve  known and loved and watched since they were young boys.  I’ve had each of them as students and one of these dear boys is my own son.  

In my daily reading, any sentences appropos to marriage get my attention like a flashing light in a rear view mirror.  I would enjoy sharing my gleanings on a weekly basis, as time allows. 

Funny story:  When my beloved and I were engaged we were given a list of books on marriage to read.  One of the books was Elisabeth Elliot’s Let Me Be a Woman.   Curt was told to read this book even though it was written for women.  At the time he was binding cardboard boxes at the dump for City Garbage when he wasn’t  taking classes.  His co-workers were rough, crusty, unpolished…..raw.  His lunch hour was prime reading time but he knew there was no way he would survive in that job if he were caught reading that title.  He removed the dust jacket and was always careful to hold the book so the spine didn’t show!

Surely it is impossible to love “too much,” for love is from God, who is Love.  Usually we love
too little and too sentimentally.  Our love, God-given though it be, is usually mixed up with
possessiveness and selfishness.  It needs strengthening and purifying.  Human love is often
inordinate, which means disorderly, unregulated, unrestrained, not limited to the usual bounds. 
If we love someone more than we love God, it is worse than inordinate – it is idolatry.  When
God is first in our hearts, all other loves are in order and find their rightful place.  If God is not
first, other loves, even those which are in no sense sexual, easily turn into self-gratification and
therefore destroy both the lover and the beloved.    Elisabeth Elliot in Loneliness


Pace Yourselves

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It is difficult to find people who know how to pace themselves
in getting the job done in the amount of time they have.
To me this is one of the most important things to learn.

Franz Mohr  in My Life with the Great Pianists

I’m bursting with stuff to write: more about my trip to PA, some of the delightful things I brought home, quotes from reading on the five hour layover, new artist discoveries, a very nice new CD, a picture of the socks I won from Donna’s birthday drawing.  BUT I’ve really looked forward to a good teaching day today; that’s my plan and I’m sticking to it!  I didn’t get to read my blog sistahs so I’m looking forward to catching up on that.  Sigh.  It’s a good life, so abundant and full.

Simply Books

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I had a delightful experience in the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport.  I discovered a lovely bookstore: tasteful displays, no magazines, a few deep chairs, and, best of all, book quotes posted all around the store.  After some pleasant, light  book talk with the employee, I took out my journal, settled into the deep chair and started copying quotes.  Here are just a few:

A book is like a garden carried in a pocket.    Chinese Proverb

What is reading but quiet conversation.     Walter Savage Landor

Literature is the memory of humanity.     Isaac Bashevis Singer

What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers.     Logan Pearsall Smith

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.      Joseph Addison

‘Tis the good reader that makes the good book.     Ralph Waldo Emerson

Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.              Tennyson

I bought a book:  Good Poems for Hard Times edited by Garrison Keillor.  Several are already flagged for repeat readings. 

Coming as soon as I can figure how to upload pictures here in PA: My day as a Penn State football fan.  With, WITH, my friend, shots of the great coach Joe Paterno.  He is affectionately called JoePa by the fans here.

Yesterday we spent a lovely, sunny day going to Johnstown and seeing the two flood museums.  With David McCullough’s The Johnstown Flood fresh in my mind, it was absorbing, but sobering.  My brother and I have already spent several nights up beyond midnight talking, talking, talking.  I am soaking up the girl time with his wife, three daughters and granddaughter.  It’s so different from my male dominated environment at home, such a lovely change!