Frank BreslinA Sampling of Greek Ethical QuotationsThe Greek view of the ethical life, which greatly influenced Roman thinking, is an interesting contrast to that of the Bible’s. A different…19h ago19h ago
Frank Breslin20 Motives for Doing a Good Deed or Leading a Good LifeIn previous assignments, I had students begin thinking critically about three different moral theories. My purpose wasn’t to “sell” them on…21h ago21h ago
Frank BreslinMen both love and detest their faults.And then we have St. Paul, who wrote the book on self-contradiction — For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not…22h ago22h ago
Frank BreslinWho is a good man?Being good is measuring yourself against the time-honored ways of the ancients. They are the gold standard, the benchmark of excellence…23h ago23h ago
Frank BreslinWickedness fears the very shadows. Ipsas nequitia tenebras tenet.(Seneca, Moral Letters, 97. 12).Someone who has done something wrong is so terrified by conscience that he begins to suspect that the very shadows are harboring his…1d ago1d ago
Frank BreslinI count him as lost who has lost his shame.This and the following five quotations have to do with “shame” as the primary reason for not doing wrong. What would people think of me and…1d ago1d ago
Frank BreslinWhoever plots evil in his heart is already guilty of doing it.Evil lies in the intention, even though the deed itself hasn’t yet been done. This moral guilt isn’t the same as legal guilt, which judges…1d ago1d ago
Frank BreslinNo one becomes evil all of a sudden Nemo repente fuit turpissimus.(Juvenal, Satires, 2. 83).All too gradually we can begin to lose our moral compass and inch our way toward a point of no return, finding it impossible to turn back…1d ago1d ago
Frank BreslinSuggestions for Enduring a Miserable LifeO passi graviora, dabit deus his quoque finem. You who have borne far heavier burdens, God will put an end to these things, too (Virgil…1d ago1d ago