The Wisdom books present some surprises – among them, a fair sampling of paradox. Take for example the book of Proverbs, which includes a number of apparently inconsistent sayings colliding head to head. This pair is from Chapter 26:
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
One wonders what so-called values voters in the recent South Carolina primary thought they were doing. Apparently the wrong “values” were in play. Some were repelled by the ugly character of the winning candidate; most weren’t.
Among the cruelest slaveries is mood, because we recognize neither the master nor the manacle. In the first place we don’t notice our moods; in the second place we don’t notice that they have mastered us.
A common view has it that we have a moral duty to talk with everyone – that unless we are constantly in dialogue, we are both unreasonable and uncharitable. On the contrary, sometimes both charity and reason require breaking off conversation. Or even refusing to enter it.
Your blog is not only enjoyable, but has also led to repentance. Many at church here, including me, have had to examine themselves after reading your piece “The New Evangelization and the Old Excuse.” Thank you for this convicting post.
