QUOTES UNIT 2

Question 1

Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love.

Answer 1

The Rule of St. Benedict

Question 2

And the green knight laughed and said, “You are quite forgiven. You have confessed so openly, and have done your penance at the edge of my axe, that you are now as pure as if you had never sinned.

Answer 2

Gawain and the Green Knight

Question 3

…not all are to be weighted in one and the same balance, although they be associated in one fault, but there shall be discrimination for each of these, that is : between rich and poor; freeman, slave; little child, boy, youth, young man, old man; stupid, intelligent; layman; cleric, monk; bishop, presbyter, deacon, subdeacon, reader, canoness, or nuns; the weak, the sick, the well.

Answer 3

Bede’s Penitential

Question 4

Heaven was opened and a fiery light of exceeding brilliance came and permeated my whole brain, and inflamed my whole heart and my whole breast, not like a burning but like a warming flame, as the sun warms anything its ray touch. And immediately I knew the meaning of the exposition of the Scriptures, namely the Psalter, the Gospel and the other catholic volumes of both the Old and the New Testaments.

Answer 4

Hildegard of Bingen

Question 5

After this I saw the image of a woman as large as a great city, with a wonderful crown on her head and arms from which a splendor hung like sleeves, shining from heaven to earth. Her womb was pierced like a net with many openings, with a huge multitude of people running in and out.

Answer 5

Hildegard of Bingen-Vision Three
The Church, Bride of christ and mother of the faithful

Question 6

Now since this religion is true and summons to the study which leads to knowledge of the truth, we the Muslim community know definitely that demonstrative study does not lead to [conclusions] conflicting with what Scripture has given us; for truth does not oppose truth but accords with it and bears witness to it.

Answer 6

Averroes
On the Harmony of Religion and Philosophy

Question 7

Nor should they feel ashamed, for God made himself poor in this world for us. This is that peak of the highest poverty which has made you, my dearest brothers, heirs and kings of the kingdom of heaven, poor in things but rich in virtues. Let this be your portion.

Answer 7

The Rule of the Franciscan Order

Question 8

If man were ordered only to an end which did not exceed his natural facilities, it would not be necessary for him to have any rational direction beyond natural law and that human law derived from it, Since. however, man is ordered to the end of eternal beatitude, which exceeds natural human faculties, it was necessary that he be directed to this end by divinely-given law in addition to natural law and human law.

Answer 8

Thomas Aquinas
Summa Theologica

Question 9

You should not refuse good advice from anyone, not even a pagan. The pagan authors sharpen your mind, and will help you understand scripture, which takes preparation. The bible is not very fruitful if you stick only to the simplest literal sense of it, you need to understand the allegorical sense as well, in which the pagan poets will help you.

Answer 9

Erasmus
A Weapon for the Christian Warrior
The Handbook of the Christian Knight

Question 10

We have made you neither heavenly nor earthly, neither mortal nor immortal, so that, more freely and more honorably the molder and maker of yourself, you may fashion yourself in whatever form you shall prefer.

Answer 10

Pico
Oration on the Dignity of Man

Question 11

I prefer the doctrine of those who allow something to free will, and at the same time acknowledge the greater share of grace. For it does no good to avoid the Scylla of pride in order to fall into the Charybidis of despair or indifference

Answer 11

Erasmus
On Free Will

Question 12

a prince, especially a new one, cannot observe all those things for which mean are esteemed, being often forced, in order to maintain the state, to act contrary to faith, friendship, humanity, and religion, the winds and variations of fortune force it, yet, as I have said above, not to diverge from the good if he can avoid doing so, but, if compelled, then to know how to set about it.

Answer 12

Machiavelli
The Prince

Question 13

A beneficent prince, as Plutarch in his great learning said, is a living likeness of God, who is at once good and powerful. His goodness makes him want to help all; his power makes him able to do so.

Answer 13

Erasmus
The Education of a Christian Prince

Question 14

Therefore faith alone makes us righteous and fulfills the law, for it brings the Spirit through the merits of Christ. But the Spirit makes the heart free and willing, as the law requires; and then good works naturally flow out of our faith.

Answer 14

Martin Luther
Preface to Paul’s Letter to the Romans

Question 15

two kingdoms must be sharply distinguished, and both be permitted to remain; the one to produce piety, the other to bring about external peace and prevent evil deeds; neither is sufficient in the world without the other.

Answer 15

Martin Luther
Secular Authority

Question 16

if it be the will of God to hear the peasants, earnestly crying to live according to His word, who will blame the will of God? Who will meddle his judgement? Nay, who will resist His majesty? Did he not hear the children of Israel, crying to Him, and release them out of the hand of Pharaoh; and can He not today deliver His own? Yea, he will deliver them, and that quickly!

Answer 16

The Twelve Articles of the Swabian Peasants

Question 17

We must defend ourselves against the turks and others of out persecutors, but are to beseech God with earnest prayer to repel and resist them. But that I said, that I said, that if warning were right, I would rather take the field against the so-called Christians, than against the Turks, was for this reason: Turks is a true Turk, knows nothing of the Christians faith; and is turk after the flesh; but you, who would be christians, and who make your boast of christ, persecute the pious witness of christ, and are turks after the spirit

Answer 17

The Martyrdom of Micheal Settler

Question 18

Our present life, therefore, will be best regulated if we always keep our calling in mind. No one will then be tempted by his own boldness to dare to undertake what is not fitting with his calling, because he will know what it is wrong to go beyond his limits

Answer 18

John Calvin
The Golden Booklet of the Christian Life

Question 19

The second exhortation is that next unto God you obey your King and Queen willingly and gladly, without murmur and grudging, and not for fear of them only, but much more for the fear of God knowing that they be God’s ministers; appointed by God o rule and govern you. And therefore whoso resisteth them, resisteth God’s ordinance

Answer 19

Thomas Crammer
Cranmer’s Last Words

Question 20

If we wish to proceed securely in all things, we must hold fast to the following principle: What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical church so defines. For I must be convinced that in Christ our lord, the bridegroom, and in his spouse the church, only one spirit holds sway, which governs and rules for the salvation of souls

Answer 20

Ignatius Loyola
The Spiritual Exercises: “Rules for thinking with the Church”

Question 21

Let us renounce self-love and self-will, care for nothing earthly, do penance, pray, mortify ourselves, be obedient, and preform all the other good works of which you know. Act up to your light; you have been taught your duties. Die! die as the silkworm does when it has fulfilled the office of its creation, and you will see God and be immersed in his greatness, as the little silkworm is enveloped in its cocoon.

Answer 21

Teresa of Avila
The Interior Castle