Last rites declaration of Ioannes Paulus PP. II (Karol Wojtyla)
Ioannes Paulus PP. II
Nationalism, capitalism, and hoarding. The idea of every nation
should be forgot, price should be struck from the commons, and
princes should be seen for the devils they are. The sins include
our church, secret societies, and other religions which make of
the spirit of God a divide."
Last rites declaration of Ioannes Paulus PP. II (Karol Wojtyla)
2nd April 2005
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402. The greatness of man even in his lust, to have known how to extract
from it a wonderful code, and to have drawn from it a picture of
benevolence.
403. Greatness.--The reasons of effects indicate the greatness of man, in
having extracted so fair an order from lust.
404. The greatest baseness of man is the pursuit of glory. But is the
greatest mark of his excellence; for whatever possessions he may have on
earth, whatever health and essential comfort, he is not satisfied if he has
not the esteem of men. He values human reason so highly that, whatever
advantages he may have on earth, he is not content if he is not also ranked
highly in the judgement of man. This is the finest position in the world.
Nothing can turn him from that desire, which is the most indelible quality
of man's heart.
And those who must despise men, and put them on a level with the brutes, yet
wish to be admired and believed by men, and contradict themselves by their
own feelings; their nature, which is stronger than all, convincing them of
the greatness of man more forcibly than reason convinces them of their
baseness.
405. Contradiction.--Pride counterbalancing all miseries. Man either hides
his miseries, or, if he disclose them, glories in knowing them.
406. Pride counterbalances and takes away all miseries. Here is a strange
monster and a very plain aberration. He is fallen from his place and is
anxiously seeking it. This is what all men do. Let us see who will have
found it.
407. When malice has reason on its side, it becomes proud and parades reason
in all its splendour. When austerity or stern choice has not arrived at the
true good and must needs return to follow nature, it becomes proud by reason
of this return.
408. Evil is easy, and has infinite forms; good is almost unique. But a
certain kind