Virtues we barely understand: Prudence
Ethics of virtues vs. ethics of principles The four classical cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance. Those are ancient concepts…
virtues over vices
The art of limiting ourselves
Freedom and happiness, we are told, either openly or subconsciously by the way everything in our current society is wired, is the…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on spiritual dryness, sadness, and gentleness towards ourselves
The days are ever the same, though no two of them are alike, and they grow long: Under grey skies we approach…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on “external mortification“
The renovation of our hearts “I cannot approve of those who in reforming a man would begin with external things – his…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on obedience, chastity, poverty
I have just started to get my kitchen ready for Lent. I put all the things that for seven weeks will soon…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – advice on how to dress
Really? There are saints who counsel us on our wardrobe and appearance? Indeed there are. The Catholic religion is so healthily down-to-earth.…
Days in February with Saint Francis de Sales – on conversation and speech
It is another grey and rainy Monday during those seemingly endless months of winter in Berlin. The cold weather one endures here…