Klaus's Commonplace Blog

Thomas Carlyle's Advice

2009-09-11T19:53:50Z

[Found here] Dear Sir,—Some time ago your letter was delivered me; I take literally the first free half-hour I have had since to write you a word of answer. It would give me true satisfaction could any advice of mine contribute to forward you in...

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"God wanted the world to be a valley of tears"

2009-03-06T16:29:56Z

[Found at Durendal] …Catholic civilisation, in its development in time and its extension in space… I will say that since its imperfections were born solely from its linkage with freedom, true human progress consists in subjugating the human elem...

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"That sense of inevitable victory over the forces of old and evil"

2008-10-04T13:44:56Z

[From Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas] There was madness in any direction, at any hour -- you could strike sparks anywhere. There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. And that, I think, was...

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Homecoming

2008-07-06T03:56:19Z

Lyrics by Vienna Teng It's desert ice outside but this diner has thawed my ears Hot coffee in a clean white mug and a smile when the waitress hears That I was born in North Carolina Not an hour from her home town And we used to play the same...

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The After Woman

2008-07-03T14:29:56Z

By Francis Thompson (1859-1907) Daughter of the ancient Eve, We know the gifts ye gave--and give. Who knows the gifts which YOU shall give, Daughter of the newer Eve? You, if my soul be augur, you Shall--O what shall you not, Sweet, do? The celes...

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Prayer to the Virgin of Chartres

2008-07-02T03:04:39Z

By Henry Adams (1838-1918), sometimes philosopher, cynic and autobiographer. Gracious Lady:— Simple as when I asked your aid before; Humble as when I prayed for grace in vain Seven hundred years ago; weak, weary, sore In heart and hope, I ask yo...

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A Reading List for Catholics

2008-05-27T14:22:45Z

A work in progress... About the Faith The Baltimore Catechism Theology for Beginners, by Frank Sheed The Tridentine Creed Scripture Genesis Exodus Joshua Judges 1 & 2 Samuel (1 & 2 Kings in some older Bibles) Tobit Job Wisdom The Gospel Accordin...

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A Book List

2008-05-16T17:08:50Z

Found here, but who knows from whence it came? == Below is a list of the 106 books most likely to languish, unread, on the bookshelves of people who only want to seem cultured and well-read. If you want to play along: green for the titles you'...

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Some Ado About Melancholy

2008-03-01T16:54:36Z

[From Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, I.3] There is no measure in the occasion that breeds; therefore the sadness is without limit.[...] I wonder that thou, being, as thou sayest thou art, born under Saturn, goest ...

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Jesus, Party Animal

2008-03-01T16:40:09Z

[From The Sacred Heart, by Dietrich von Hildebrand, p. 124] The first miracle of our Lord at the wedding of Cana is one of the three mysteries of the feast of Epiphany. The Gospel says: "He manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him....

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