The mind is dulled, not fed, by inordinate reading

Quote of the Day for Tuesday, March 8th, 2011: More from A. G. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life, from the section “Reading” in the chapter “Preparation for Work,” on “not reading much” as a prerequisite to intellectual vitality: What we are proscribing is the passion for reading, the uncontrolled habit, the poisoning of the mind by excess of mental food, the laziness in disguise which prefers easy familiarity with others’ thought to personal effort. The passion for reading which many pride themselves on as a precious intellectual quality, is in realit...

Sympathy is the Gift of Self

Quote of the Day for Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011: Another passage from A. G. Sertillanges’ The Intellectual Life (pg. 130): But there is something else still more important, namely, to submit not only to the discipline of work, but to the discipline of truth. This submission to truth is the binding condition for communion with it. Prompt obedience is what invites it to visit us. To this sacred meeting we must bring a respectful soul. Truth will not give itself to us unless we are first rid of self and resolved that it shall suffice us. The intelligence wh...