Re: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk33qVgCWmc
linda_fan
the effective cause and wise in respect to the wisdom which prepares it.
588. Our religion is wise and foolish. Wise, because it is the most learned
and the most founded on miracles, prophecies, etc. Foolish, because it is
not all this which makes us belong to it. This makes us, indeed, condemn
those who do not belong to it; but it does not cause belief in those who do
belong to it. It is the cross that makes them believe, ne evacuata sit
crux.103 And so Saint Paul, who came with wisdom and signs, says that he has
come neither with wisdom nor with signs; for he came to convert. But those
who come only to convince can say that they come with wisdom and with signs.
SECTION IX: PERPETUITY
589. On the fact that the Christian religion is not the only religion.--So
far is this from being a reason for believing that it is not the true one
that, on the contrary, it makes us see that it is so.
590. Men must be sincere in all religions; true heathens, true Jews, true
Christians.
591. J. C.
Heathens | Mahomet
\ . . . . . . . . . . . . . /
Ignorance of God
592. The falseness of other religions.--They have no witnesses. Jews have.
God defies other religions to produce such signs: Isaiah 43:9; 44:8.
593. History of China.--I believe only the histories, whose witnesses got
themselves killed.
Which is the more credible of the two, Moses or China?
It is not a question of seeing this summarily. I tell you
linda_fan
wiser, think to find a better definition. We are well satisfied.
We must see if this fine philosophy has gained nothing certain from so long
and so intent study; perhaps at least the soul will know itself. Let us hear
the rulers of the world on this subject. What have they thought of her
substance? 394.[10] Have they been more fortunate in locating her? 395. What
have they found out about her origin, duration, and departure? Harum
sententiarum, 399.[11]
Is, then, the soul too noble a subject for their feeble lights? Let us,
then, abase her to matter and see if she knows whereof is made the very body
which she animates and those others which she contemplates and moves at her
will. What have those great dogmatists, who are ignorant of nothing, known
of this matter? 393.[12]
This would doubtless suffice, if Reason were reasonable. She is reasonable
enough to admit that she has been unable to find anything durable, but she
does not yet despair of reaching it; she is as ardent as ever in this
search, and is confident she has within her the necessary powers for this
conquest. We must therefore conclude, and, after having examined her powers
in their effects, observe them in themselves, and see if she has a nature
and a grasp capable of laying hold of the truth.
74. A letter On the Foolishness of Human Knowledge and Philosophy.
This letter before Diversion.
Felix qui potuit... Nihil admirari.
280 kinds of sovereign good in Montaigne.
75. Part I, 1, 2, c. 1, section 4.[13]
Probability.--It will not be difficult to put the case a stage lo