Saturday, November 23, 2013

Quote of the day - Leonello

"It is an ancient opinion, not only of the Christians but of the Gentiles, that the heavens, the sea, and the earth must some day perish; in like manner, of many magnificent cities nothing but ruins leveled with the ground can now be seen, and Rome the conqueror herself lies in the dust and is reduced to fragments; while only the understanding of things divine and human, which we call wisdom, is not extinguished by length of years, but retains its rights in perpetuity."

Leonello - edict issued upon reorganizing the University of Ferrara (1442)

as quoted in Durant, The Renaissance, p. 268-269 (quoting Ella Noyes, Story of Ferrara, 1904, p. 82).

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

J.F.K.: The Man and the Myth; 50th anniversary book recommendation.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Kennedy assassination, I will recommend one book to balance all of the usual propaganda. The book is not about the assassination. It was written while Kennedy was still alive (late in his presidency). It is voluminous and comprehensive. It is humorous and well-documented.

Rather than serving as "revisionist" history, it presents facts that would be common knowledge today if the myth-makers of the MSM/DNC did not control the media and education establishment.

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Sunday, November 17, 2013

The consequences of tyranny; Perugia.

In case you are wondering what happens when a society succumbs to one-party despotic rule, read the following passage on the city-state of Perugia (in Renaissance Italy). The author describes the result of one party (Baglioni) seizing total power after expelling their opponents (Oddi) around 1445 A.D. Keep in mind the lesson for our own future and the ultimate price of selling your liberty in exchange for a few government handouts. You will not merely be hurting "the rich," the "tea party," "big insurance," Sarah Palin, Republicans in Congress or some other devil scapegoat that the left happens to target. You will be creating chaos for yourselves and destroying your own livelihoods and peace of mind. Tyranny has consequences.
From the day the Oddi were expelled, our city went from bad to worse. All the young men followed the trade of arms. Their lives were disorderly, and every day divers excesses were divulged, and the city had lost all reason and justice. Every man administered right unto himself, by his own authority and with royal hand. The pope sent many legates, if so be the city could be brought to order. But all who came went back in dread of being hewn to pieces; for the Baglioni threated to throw some from the windows of the palace, so that no cardinal or other legate durst approach Perugia unlesss he were their friend. And the city was brought to such misery that the most lawless men were most prized; and those who had slain two or three men walked as they pleased through the palace, and went with sword or poignard to speak to the podesta and other magistrates. Every man of worth was trodden down by bravos whom the nobles favored, nor could a citizen call his property his own. The nobles robbed first one and then another of goods and land. All offices were sold or else suppressed; and taxes and extortions were so grievous that everyone cried out.
Francesco Matarazzo, Cronaca (as quoted in Durant, The Renaissance, p. 242.)

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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Quote of the day - Will Durant

So men hand down to their successors their heritage - their lore and codes and skills; and transmission becomes half the technique of civilization.

Will Durant - The Renaissance - p. 233

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Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Quote of the day - Leonardo da Vinci

If you are alone, you are all your own; with a companion you are half yourself; so you squander yourself according to the indiscretion of your company.

Leonardo da Vinci [as quoted by Will Durant, The Renaissance, p. 216]

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