Category Archives: classical education

Thou Shalt Pursue a Liberal Education

Posted on February 28, 2013 by marklangley

Where did the Lord command man to pursue a liberal education? Or maybe we might ask, what commandment do people break when they refuse to pursue a liberal education? “That’s ridiculous!” you say, “everyone is free to choose the kind of … Continue reading →

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Whoops Honey, I think I Wrecked the Kids.

Posted on February 24, 2013 by marklangley

There is an unwritten rule in parenting that prohibits a parent from ever admitting that he has done irreparable damage to the intellectual formation of his children. A parent might admit that he has spoiled his child, or perhaps has … Continue reading →

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Waking Up

Posted on February 23, 2013 by marklangley

As we were discussing the Decalogue in my Ethics class the other day, a question came up which struck me with new force. I say “struck me with new force” because I think the last time the question struck me … Continue reading →

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The Olive Wreath

Posted on February 4, 2013 by marklangley

When Xerxes discovered that the Greeks were celebrating the Olympic Festival  the first day after the battle of Thermopylae he asked a Greek deserter “for what do the Greek athletes contend?” When told that they were not competing for money … Continue reading →

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Wisdom is the Most Honorable and Best Knowledge.

Posted on January 6, 2013 by marklangley

What better subject to contemplate on the Epiphany- a feast in which kings from the east found wisdom lying in a cradle and worshiped Him as that which is most honorable. Wisdom is in fact the most honorable kind of … Continue reading →

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Wisdom is Not a Human Possession

Posted on January 3, 2013 by marklangley

As one reads through the little section on St Thomas Aquinas’ commentary on the Metaphysics where he sets forth the four attributes of wisdom (from which we have been shamelessly borrowing- without even the slightest acknowledgement), one runs across this … Continue reading →

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Wisdom is Liberal

Posted on December 30, 2012 by marklangley

Well I hate to say it, but the second (or third) characteristic of wisdom is that it is liberal. But of course we don’t mean ‘liberal’ as in ‘Teddy Kennedy liberal.’ We mean liberal as opposed to servile or what … Continue reading →

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The first Characteristic of Wisdom

Posted on December 28, 2012 by marklangley

Speaking of wisdom, perhaps it would be good to review four characteristics that will help us to distinguish the kind of knowledge that it is. I do but merely transcribe from the fading memory of a certain lecture these humble … Continue reading →

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How Must Wisdom be Loved?

Posted on December 26, 2012 by marklangley

On this second day of Christmas, what better thing than to meditate upon Wisdom whose birthday we have just celebrated and draw attention to the fact that He must be loved in the same four ways that the philosopher loves … Continue reading →

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Herodotus and History

Posted on December 13, 2012 by marklangley

Reading Herodotus with students in the ninth and tenth grade presents some challenges. I always tell them not to worry if they don’t feel like they are understanding it on the “first read.” That is the way Great Books are. … Continue reading →

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