I told you last week that Anthony Esolen would be appearing on this page frequently in weeks to come. I'm keeping my word, because here is another quote from his latest, Out of the Ashes:
I can think of so many ways this quote applies. Here are some first things that come to mind:
We all know people who excuse their harsh words with, "I just tell it like it is," but they don't seem to appreciate hearing truths about themselves.
Or we don't tell the truth because we're afraid of what people think of us (this can also appear as "political correctness"). We may state opinion as fact ("I think it, therefore it must be true") and be offended when we are contradicted.
Truth is more than facts. And Truth can be complicated (think of Bonhoeffer's "Greater Truth"), truth may take time, but ultimately, the truth will set you free (John 8:32). And if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
We are right to be careful with Truth, because it isn't safe, but it is good. (To steal a thought from C.S. Lewis.)
Anyway, like I said, I didn't agree with everything in Mr. Esolen's book, but there is so much to think about in it!
Recently Finished
Archie and Amelie: Love and Madness in the Gilded Ageby Donna Lucey. My library website recommended this one to me because of all the history that I read. This one never quite gelled with me because I was never sure what the point was exactly. I found the people described within tedious in the extreme.
Recently Added
My book stack has been padded out with some books I'm researching for an upcoming post, World War 2 Books for Kids & Teens. I've had several requests to make a list, and while I've read many books for adults on the subject, I didn't feel like I had enough for a kid post. Hence: research.
Current Read Aloud
Cyril, Anthea, Robert and Jane are my children's old friends now and we're enjoying catching up on their further adventures in The Story of the Amulet.
Current Book to Review
Definitely in a dry spell as far as book reviews are concerned.
Current Kindle Deals
I'm not super excited about most of the Kindle deals this month. But I do recommend:
Martin Gilbert's biography of Churchill for $2.99. (There are other Martin Gilbert books on sale this month too, but I have not read them personally.)