Podcast appearances and mentions of Joseph Addison

Cato: A Tragedy was a famous 18th Century play by Joseph Addison - supposedly the favorite play of George Washington himself! What connection did it have to the history of America - and the theater history of Philadelphia?This is an edited audio recording of a panel discussion at the Museum of the Revolution in Philadelphia, recorded on April 9th, 2025.A video of the entire event can be found at the MOAR website, HERE.For photographs from the event on our own AITH website, go HERE.For tickets to see CATO (Remixed) at Carpenters Hall) from May 1 to May 18, 2025, go HERE.Support the show"Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now!To see a listing for our book on Bookshop.org - GO HERE IF YOU LIKED THE SHOW, AND WANT TO LEARN MORE:Our website: www.aithpodcast.comOur email address: AITHpodcast@gmail.comBluesky: @aithpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/AITHpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aithpodcast/ YouTube: @AdventuresInTheaterHistorySupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AITHpodcast© Podcast text copyright, Peter Schmitz. All rights reserved. ℗ All original voice recordings copyright Peter Schmitz. ℗ All original music copyright Christopher Mark Colucci. Used by permission.

Join #McConnellCenter Director Dr. Gary Gregg for a discussion regarding the importance of the play Cato: A Tragedy.  An award-winning political science teacher and expert on the U.S. presidency, Gregg has written or edited several books, including Securing Democracy: Why We Have an Electoral College.  We all know we need to read more and there are literally millions of books on shelves with new ones printed every day. How do we sort through all the possibilities to find the book that is just right for us now? Well, the McConnell Center is bringing authors and experts to inspire us to read impactful and entertaining books that might be on our shelves or in our e-readers, but which we haven't yet picked up. We hope you learn a lot in the following podcast and we hope you might be inspired to pick up one or more of the books we are highlighting this year at the University of Louisville's McConnell Center. Stay Connected Visit us at McConnellcenter.org Subscribe to our newsletter  Facebook: @mcconnellcenter Instagram: @ulmcenter  Twitter: @ULmCenter This podcast is a production of the McConnell Center

The complete audiobook is available for purchase at Audible.com: https://n9.cl/8wt7i Moral Essays Or Epistles to Several Persons By Alexander Pope Edited by W. C. Armstrong Narrated by Denis Daly These four poems, which deal with ethical issues, were collated and published in 1751 by William Warburton, seven years after Pope's death.The poems were inspired by Pope's admiration for Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, a philosopher and Tory politician. Also included in this recording is Pope's Epistle to Mr (Joseph) Addison. Contents Advertisement Epistle 1 - to Sir Richard Temple, Lord Cobham (1734) Epistle 2 - to a Lady (Martha Blount) (1735) Epistle 3 - to Allen, Lord Bathurst (1733) Epistle 4 - to Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington (1731) Epistle to Mr Addison (1720)

CONTENTMENT by Pastor George Lehman Contentment is what's on God's heart for us. Contentment[tevredenheid] is accepting what God has given you and by His strength, making the most of it. This word will bring real meaning to your spiritual race. 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (Amp) – 6 [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.  7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; Having things is not the problem; it's when the things have you! God will not invest, if there's going to be NO RETURN. This should give you confidence because God believes in His investment in you!!! A content life is a reservoir of abundance. What TENT did you live in? We live in one of two tents. Content… Or Discontent “A content heart is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.” - Joseph Addison. Someone said: “When we cannot find Godly contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.”  Here's the real issue: So many people are always wishing things were different or better or nicer or more comfortable this is a great way to torture yourself. The truth is – always appreciate what you have.  There is always someone out there who wishes that they had what you have. This world is really run on discontentment.  We find fault with our work, our boss, our church and other people. Our old sinful nature is generally discontent. How many people become discontent because there's a new Cell phone, TV, bike that they don't have. So, they feel discontent if only I can have !!!! So many people are trying to fill a void with things that will never satisfy. Today again….God is calling us to make radical adjustments to our lives. “They say wealth is like sea water – the more you drink the thirstier you become.” Asking John D. Rockefeller, how much money it took to make a man happy, his reply was, “Just a little bit more”. Please follow this very carefully: The bible calls us to our convictions not our circumstances, to govern our sense of contentment. Convictions = Is to follow and believe God's word. True biblical contentment is a conviction that Christ's power, purpose and provision is sufficient for every circumstance.   Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]” Our growth and maturity are to learn how to walk through every adversity and difficulty fully trusting in Christ's sufficiency. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (Amp) – 4 Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God.  5 Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. We must be content in our convictions (i.e. what do I believe?) to live content. Please note that from all these scriptures below there is a common thread… …you can find contentment only in Jesus Christ and in striving to serve Him (seek first the Kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33). Philippians 4:11-13 (Amp) – 11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted(panic) in whatever state I am(Paul is not looking at his circumstance, but his convictions).  12 I know how to be abased(to be brought low) and live humbly in straitened(poverty/restricted) circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.  13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].   Romans 8:28 (NIV) – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Notice – Christ is the source of our contentment. Job 36:11 (NIV) – If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity(immense profit and abundant gain) and their years in contentment.   Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) – The fear of the Lord leads to life;  then one rests content, untouched by trouble. As God's child you are called to learn to be content. This is a lifelong process – but well worth the time and sacrifice. How important is contentment when serving Jesus? The wise Solomon said: Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV) – 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.  My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.  11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Like an engraving on a tombstone said: She died for want of things.  He died trying to give them to her. Story of diamond mine: Years ago, Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who "owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man." One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine. Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man--poor because he was discontented. Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He travelled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he committed suicide. One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golconda, the most magnificent mine in all history. Had Ali Hafed remained contente at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds. Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) –  Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 1 Timothy 6:6-7 (Amp) – 6 [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.  7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world.  

Persistir cuando sientes que ya no puedes más es lo que te destacará entre los demás. La persistencia es una cualidad de los triunfadores. Hay innumerables ejemplos de personas que siguieron adelante con persistencia y sin desesperarse. En su primer año, la empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas. El renombrado jugador de baloncesto Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela secundaria. La primera editorial rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por considerarlos irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. Albert Einstein, el científico, no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años y se creyó que tenía graves problemas de aprendizaje; sin embargo, superó todos los obstáculos para convertirse en uno de los científicos más destacados de la historia. Estos son solo algunos ejemplos, pero hay muchos más. Joseph Addison afirmó: "Si deseas triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amiga más cercana, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu guía". La paciencia y la persistencia tienen un efecto mágico que hace que las dificultades se desvanezcan y los obstáculos desaparezcan. No te rindas, porque Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

Persistir cuando sientes que ya no puedes más es lo que te destacará entre los demás. La persistencia es una cualidad de los triunfadores. Hay innumerables ejemplos de personas que siguieron adelante con persistencia y sin desesperarse. En su primer año, la empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas. El renombrado jugador de baloncesto Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela secundaria. La primera editorial rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por considerarlos irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. Albert Einstein, el científico, no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años y se creyó que tenía graves problemas de aprendizaje; sin embargo, superó todos los obstáculos para convertirse en uno de los científicos más destacados de la historia. Estos son solo algunos ejemplos, pero hay muchos más. Joseph Addison afirmó: "Si deseas triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amiga más cercana, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu guía". La paciencia y la persistencia tienen un efecto mágico que hace que las dificultades se desvanezcan y los obstáculos desaparezcan. No te rindas, porque Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

Dr. Ken Harris hosts a special show for Mentoring Month. He is joined by Joseph Addison, President of 100 Black Men of Milwaukee and LaNelle Ramey, executive Director at Mentor Greater Milwaukee.

"Think on the storm that gathers o'er your head / And threatens ev'ry hour to burst upon it" — Cato, a Tragedy, Joseph Addison, 1712

The Drummer, or, The Haunted House by Joseph Addison audiobook. Lady Truman received word fourteen months ago that her husband, Sir George Truman, has died in battle. Now a very eligible widow with a large estate, she has more suitors than she knows what to do with. As if that wasn't enough, her house is now being haunted at night by the horrible and ghostly sound of a drum, apparently caused by the restless spirit of her husband. When an old man arrives who claims to be able to lay the spirit to rest, she is so desperate for relief that she determines to give him a chance. Written with wit and good humor, this play will have you laughing out loud! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you believe that George William Frederick, the future King George III, was an actor in a play that focused on independent liberty -vs- tyranny?  Joseph Addison wrote a play in 1712 about the mortal enemy of Julius Caesar entitled “Cato, A Tragedy”.  Cato was a Roman Senator.  The play focused on independent liberty -vs- government, tyranny, and other things that would heavily influence our Founding Fathers.  This weeks episode of Revolutionary War Rarities reveals to our listeners the impact that “Cato, A Tragedy” had on some of the big names of our revolution.  So, make sure and watch this episode and thank you for being a part of Revolutionary War Rarities, the Podcast from The Sons of the American Revolution.

“Seguir cuando crees que no puedes más, es lo que te hará diferente a los demás”. La persistencia es una característica de los vencedores. Hay numerosos ejemplos de seguir adelante siendo persistentes y no desesperándonos. La empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas en su primer año. El famoso basquetbolista Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela preparatoria. La primer casa publicadora rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por ser irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. El científico Albert Einstein no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años de edad. Se pensaba que tenía severos problemas de aprendizaje y pudo sobrepasarlos todos convirtiéndose en uno de los científicos más prominentes de la historia. Así como estos ejemplos, hay muchos más. Joseph Addison dijo: “Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián”. La paciencia y la perseverancia tienen un efecto mágico ante el que las dificultades desaparecen y los obstáculos se desvanecen. No te detengas, Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

“Seguir cuando crees que no puedes más, es lo que te hará diferente a los demás”. La persistencia es una característica de los vencedores. Hay numerosos ejemplos de seguir adelante siendo persistentes y no desesperándonos. La empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas en su primer año. El famoso basquetbolista Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela preparatoria. La primer casa publicadora rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por ser irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. El científico Albert Einstein no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años de edad. Se pensaba que tenía severos problemas de aprendizaje y pudo sobrepasarlos todos convirtiéndose en uno de los científicos más prominentes de la historia. Así como estos ejemplos, hay muchos más. Joseph Addison dijo: “Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián”. La paciencia y la perseverancia tienen un efecto mágico ante el que las dificultades desaparecen y los obstáculos se desvanecen. No te detengas, Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

David Robertson tells us how the Manx people in the late eighteenth century experienced the beings that he refers to as "fairies" and the second sight - not that these were necessarily dismissed by leading figures of the day such as Joseph Addison. Our episode from Bram Stoker's Dracula follows the death of Lucy Westenra - or does it? Professor Van Helsing proposes a startling course of action to Dr John Seward! As y kiaull ain - SHENN SCOILL - Tayrn mee thie PLETHYN - Y ddafad gorniog THE GLENCRAIG SCOTTISH DANCE BAND - The walrus MIKE JAMES & YVES LEBLANCE - Avant-deux de la Meziere EMMET SPICELAND - Mary of Dungloe SOWENA - Saltash JOAN OWEN - Mylecharaine BWNCATH - Fel hyn 'da ni fod SHOOGLENIFTY - Black dog

Days with Sir Roger De Coverley

The first of March is "Share a Smile Day." Why just one day? Let's make every day a National Smile Day! Joseph Addison puts it this way, "What sunshine is to the flowers, smiles are to humanity...the good they do is inconceivable." Remember, it takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile! A world traveler once explained, "In all the countries I have been to, everyone understands a smile." We soon learn when we travel that all people smile in the same language. This past month in February, many of us experienced over 200 hours of clouds and darkness. How joyful we were when the sun shone through. There were smiles. Smiles do add to our face value. :) A well known poet, Helen Steiner-Rice states at best, "There is sunshine in a smile. Life is a mixture of sunshine and rain, laughter and pleasure, teardrops and pain. All days can't be bright but it's certainly true. There was never a cloud the sun didn't shine through. So just keep on smiling, whatever, betide you, secure in the knowledge God is always beside you. And you'll find when you smile, your day will be brighter, and all of your burdens will seem so much lighter. For each time you smile, you will find it as true. Somebody somewhere will smile back at you. And nothing on earth can make life more worthwhile than the sunshine and warmth of a beautiful smile. So let's start every day with a smile on our face. And then we'll let the sun shine through. We will greet everyone who crosses our path, and it's amazing. Our day is brightened too." From the Mailbag: Recipe for life - One cup good thoughts, one cup kind deeds, one cup consideration for others. One cup well beaten faults, three cups forgiveness. Mix thoroughly and add tears of joy, sorrow, and sympathy for others. Fold in four cups of prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients and let rise to great heights of Christian living. After pouring all this into your family life, bake well with the warmth of human kindness. Serve with a smile. More Warm Thoughts: A smile is the shortest distance between two people. Victor Borge. Lighten up your life with a smile! Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G Werner Published in the Marion Record, March 5th, 1998.Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don't forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I'd greatly appreciate it.Till next time,Trina

John J. Miller is joined by Loraine Murphy to discuss the essays of Joseph Addison and Richard Steele.

So you don't like books, but why is reading important? As the 17th century English writer Joseph Addison once wrote, "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." Find out more benefits to reading in this episode.***The Thrivehood Podcast is a relevant life roadmap for boys and young men who want to do more than just survive the baffling years of youth. Bringing a dose of seasoned wisdom sprinkled with offbeat humor, your host Tim Williams, chats about a variety of topics that not only challenge but motivate you to thrive as you boldly mature into manhood.www.thrivehoodpodcast.com******SUBSCRIBEApple Podcast | Spotify | Google Podcast | Stitcher | iHeart | YouTube  ***Stay Connected with Thrivehood PodcastInstagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | EmailAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Support the podcast: patreon.com/thehemingwaylist War & Peace - Ander Louis Translation: Kindle and Amazon Print Host: @anderlouis

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Advisory: this episode discusses the literary representation of self-harm and suicide, in particular, how writers such as Shakespeare and Milton often treated the subject in unserious or trivializing ways. In 1643, the writer Thomas Browne introduced the word “suicide” into the English language. Eventually, “suicide” would become a monolith in how we think about self-harm and self-killing. “Suicide” has come to represent an individualizing, pathologizing way of looking at people who contemplate ending their lives. But, when Thomas Browne's new word was first used, it was entering a discursive space that was wider and more open to campy humor, slapstick, and misogynistic trolling. This is the argument of an exciting and nuanced book from today's guest, Drew Daniel. The title of the book is Joy of the Worm: Suicide and Pleasure in Early Modern English Literature published by the University of Chicago Press in 2022. Daniel is a Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, and teaches early modern literature, critical theory, and aesthetics. Joy of the Worm is a fresh, elegantly written exploration of scenes of self-murder (or the contemplation of self-murder) in Antony and Cleopatra, Paradise Lost, and Joseph Addison's Cato, a Tragedy. He is the author of the previous monograph, The Melancholy Assemblage (from Fordham UP), and the 33 1/3 book on Throbbing Gristle's Twenty Jazz Funk Greats. He is also one-half of the electronic band Matmos. John Yargo holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His specializations are early modern literature, the environmental humanities, and critical race studies. His dissertation explores early modern representations of environmental catastrophe, including The Tempest, Oroonoko, and the poetry of Milton. He has published in Studies in Philology, The Journal for Early Modern Cultural Studies, and Shakespeare Studies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/british-studies

The greatest sweetener of human life is Friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover. Joseph Addison's profound words on friendship still hold great value even after more than 300 years. In this episode I narrate his essay called Friendship. Hope you will enjoy this and other audio essays to follow this week. Do not forget to subscribe. Visit www.kalampedia.org to know more.

“Seguir cuando crees que no puedes más, es lo que te hará diferente a los demás”. La persistencia es una característica de los vencedores. Hay numerosos ejemplos de seguir adelante siendo persistentes y no desesperándonos. La empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas en su primer año. El famoso basquetbolista Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela preparatoria. La primer casa publicadora rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por ser irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. El científico Albert Einstein no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años de edad. Se pensaba que tenía severos problemas de aprendizaje y pudo sobrepasarlos todos convirtiéndose en uno de los científicos más prominentes de la historia. Así como estos ejemplos, hay muchos más. Joseph Addison dijo: “Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián”. La paciencia y la perseverancia tienen un efecto mágico ante el que las dificultades desaparecen y los obstáculos se desvanecen. No te detengas, Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

“Seguir cuando crees que no puedes más, es lo que te hará diferente a los demás”. La persistencia es una característica de los vencedores. Hay numerosos ejemplos de seguir adelante siendo persistentes y no desesperándonos. La empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas en su primer año. El famoso basquetbolista Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela preparatoria. La primer casa publicadora rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por ser irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. El científico Albert Einstein no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años de edad. Se pensaba que tenía severos problemas de aprendizaje y pudo sobrepasarlos todos convirtiéndose en uno de los científicos más prominentes de la historia. Así como estos ejemplos, hay muchos más. Joseph Addison dijo: “Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián”. La paciencia y la perseverancia tienen un efecto mágico ante el que las dificultades desaparecen y los obstáculos se desvanecen. No te detengas, Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

Julius Caesar's war against the Roman Republic, and his dictatorship, didn't go the way he planned. Cato the Younger's suicide made him a hero during the short years of Caesar's rule. The men who conspired to kill the tyrant held Cato up as their inspiration. So did the Founding Fathers of the American Republic nearly two centuries later. Joseph Addison's play Cato was a huge hit in the colonies, inspiring, among others, George Washington. Cato's inflexible commitment to freedom from tyranny and democratic principles became the template for America's leaders. The Founding Fathers, and their descendants, believed they were Catos. It was his example they aspired to, and the best of them fulfilled it.  Subscribe to History's TrainwrecksSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/historys-trainwrecks. Help keep trainwrecks on the tracks. Become a supporter at https://plus.acast.com/s/historys-trainwrecks. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meditación ”Dios...es rico en misericordia.” (Efesios 2:4) La misericordia es aquella compasión y bondad que Dios manifiesta a los que son culpables y débiles o están en angustia y necesidad. Las Escrituras hacen hincapié en que Dios es rico en misericordia (Ef. 2:4), y grande en misericordia (Sal. 86:5). Su misericordia es abundante (1 P. 1:3); grande es hasta los cielos (Sal. 57:10). “Porque como la altura de los cielos sobre la tierra, engrandeció su misericordia sobre los que le temen” (Sal. 103:11). De Dios se dice que es “Padre de misericordias” (2 Co. 1:3) y que es “muy misericordioso y compasivo” (Stg. 5:11). Es imparcial cuando otorga Su misericordia: “hace salir su sol sobre malos y buenos, y hace llover sobre justos e injustos” (Mt. 5:45). Los hombres no se salvan por obras de justicia (Tit. 3:5) sino por Su soberana misericordia (Éx. 33:19; Ro. 9:15). Su misericordia permanece para siempre sobre los que le temen (Sal. 136:1; Lc. 1:50), pero al impenitente la misericordia le alcanza solamente en esta vida. Hay una diferencia entre gracia y misericordia. Gracia significa que Dios me colma de bendiciones que no merezco. La misericordia significa que no me castiga como merezco. Cada doctrina de la Escritura trae consigo obligaciones. Las misericordias de Dios requieren, en primer lugar, que presentemos nuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, aceptable a Dios (Ro. 12:1). Esto es lo más razonable, racional, sano y sensible que podemos hacer. También es verdad que Dios quiere que seamos misericordiosos los unos con los otros. Ha prometido una recompensa especial para el misericordioso: “alcanzarán misericordia” (Mt. 5:7). El Señor quiere misericordia y no sacrificio (Mt. 9:13), es decir, los grandes actos de sacrificio son inaceptables si están separados de la piedad personal. El buen samaritano es aquel que muestra misericordia a su prójimo. Esta misericordia se deja ver cuando alimentamos al hambriento, vestimos al pobre, atendemos al enfermo, visitamos a las viudas y a los huérfanos, y lloramos con los que lloran. Somos misericordiosos cuando rehusamos vengarnos de alguien que nos ha hecho mal, o acogemos compasivamente a aquellos que han fracasado. Recordando lo que somos, debemos orar pidiendo misericordia por nosotros mismos (He. 4:16) y por los demás (Gá. 6:16; 1 Ti. 1:2). Por último, las misericordias de Dios deben afinar nuestros corazones para cantar Sus alabanzas. Cuando todas tus maravillas ¡Oh mi Dios! Mi alma resucitada contempla, Transportado por la visión Me lleno de amor, asombro y admiración. Joseph Addison

"The Vision of Mirza" and "Westminster Abbey," first printed in "The Spectator," are examples of Addison's wondrous gift of expression. He leads us to higher realms. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics) Last issue of "The Spectator" published Dec. 6, 1712.

Introductory note on Joseph Addison (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)

My mission is creating better conversations to spread understanding and compassion. This podcast is a small part of what I do. Drop by https://constantine.name for my weekly email, podcasts, writing and more.

"Todo lo que hacemos por los demás nos da tanta satisfacción interior que el esfuerzo queda compensado en sí mismo". (Joseph Addison). Hoy le dedicamos el programa, a todos aquellos que vinisteis a la 1ªMuestra de Cine deAcción y Artes marciales que se celebró en la sala Artistic Metropol de madrid estos primeros días de semana. Y de hecho, hoy os voy a contar un poco de mi experiencia y sensaciones en este evento, además de comentar alguna que otra noticia que me ha llegado a la redacción... ¡vamos a ello!

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for September 17, 2021 is: precarious • prih-KAIR-ee-us • adjective Precarious means "characterized by uncertainty, insecurity, or instability that threatens with danger." // College debt leaves many students in a precarious financial situation after graduation. // The books were stacked high in a precarious tower. See the entry > Examples: "Staff may be anxious about returning to the office and want to be assured of their safety while leaders are in the precarious position of having to make what they think is the right call." — Bernard Coleman, Inc., 18 Aug. 2021 Did you know? "This little happiness is so very precarious, that it wholly depends on the will of others." Joseph Addison, in a 1711 issue of Spectator magazine, couldn't have described the oldest sense of precarious more precisely—the original meaning of the word was "depending on the will or pleasure of another." Precarious comes from a Latin word meaning "obtained by entreaty," which itself is from the word for prayer, prex.

English-Australian narrator Rupert Degas has a grand time giving voice to Saki's many tales of blustering, tyrannical aunts; mischievous children; and that most important of all English inventions—the twit. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Alan Minskoff discuss the stories of Saki (Hector Hugh Munro, 1870-1916), whose work is especially fun on audio. Degas reads the stories well—few do better at satirizing the foibles and follies of the upper classes. Listen closely, and you'll hear why everyone from P.G. Wodehouse to Mony Python owes a huge debt to this Edwardian comic genius. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Naxos AudioBooks. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Michel de Montaigne, the French philosopher who established the personal essay as a literary form, died on September 13, 1592. Montaigne's essays, as well as essays by Jonathan Swift, Thomas Carlyle, Joseph Addison, and Samuel Johnson, are featured in the Naxos AudioBooks production, Favourite Essays: An Anthology, compiled and read by Earphones Award Winner Neville Jason. AudioFile Magazine says, Neville "...knows how to present these classics so they ring true to the modern ear." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matsyanyaaya #1: What Does Pakistan’s Cadmean Victory in Afghanistan Mean for IndiaBig fish eating small fish = Foreign Policy in action— Pranay Kotasthane(This is a draft of my article which appeared first in Times of India’s Tuesday, August 23rd edition.)Taliban's takeover of Kabul is forcing India to reassess its aims and objectives concerning Afghanistan. Of primary interest is the impact of this development on Pakistan. On this question, two views have come to light over the last few days.The first view cautions against the increase in terrorism from Pakistan. The recommendation arising from this view is that India needs to coalesce anti-Pakistan factions in Afghanistan. The counter-view focuses on the inevitability of a split between the Taliban and Pakistan. The assumption being that once the Taliban assumes political control over Afghanistan, it is bound to take some stances that will go against the interests of its sponsor. The recommendation arising from this view is that India should sit back. It should let things unfold because Pakistan's victory is a Cadmean one — it comes with massive costs for Pakistan's economy, society, and politics.Which of these two divergent views is likely to play out?  To understand what the Taliban's victory means for Pakistan — and hence India — it is useful to model Pakistan as two geopolitical entities, not one. The first entity is a seemingly normal Pakistani state, presumably concerned first and foremost with the peace and prosperity of its citizens. The second entity is what my colleague Nitin Pai has named the Pakistani military-jihadi complex (MJC). Comprising the military, militant, radical Islamist and political-economic nodes, the MJC pursues domestic and foreign policies to ensure its survival and dominance. For the MJC, positioning and defeating the existential enemy — India — is key to ensure its hold over the other Pakistan.Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan will be perceived differently by these two Pakistani entities. The non-MJC Pakistan would be worried about the Taliban's march to power. It would fear the spillover of terrorism inside its borders, orchestrated by groups such as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Politically, a powerful Taliban would pose the threat of breathing new life in the Durand Line question. On the economic front, the prospect of a dependent Taliban government further draining Pakistan's dwindling resources would be another cause of concern. In short, if this entity were in charge of Pakistan's foreign policy, it wouldn't have doggedly invested in the Taliban.That's quite clearly not the case. Taliban's takeover, on the other hand, is a strategic victory for the MJC. Over the last two decades, it has played a risky game sheltering and guiding the Taliban's actions while also supporting the US in its Afghanistan campaign. When things went wrong, the MJC was able to pass the blame to the other, weaker Pakistan. Recently, it played a role in steering the Afghan Taliban to sign the Doha agreement. It worked over the last two decades to reduce the Indian economic and political footprint in Afghanistan. Given the efforts it has put in, the MJC is sure to perceive the Taliban's comeback as an indisputable victory. This success would bolster the MJC's strategy of long-term commitment to terrorist groups. More importantly, it consolidates its relative dominance over the other Pakistan.  How does this affect India?As the MJC's domestic position strengthens, its anti-India aims will grow stronger. There is a possibility of the MJC moving its terror outfits to Loya Paktika in eastern Afghanistan, a hotbed of anti-India activities in the past. This scenario would allow the MJC to use terrorism against India while claiming it has no control over these elements.Many commentators have argued that the world in 2021 will not let off perpetrators of terrorism easily. But they seem to forget that the return of the Taliban illustrates that the opposite is true. As long as terrorism is portrayed as an instrument of a domestic insurgency, the world will continue to look away. For instance, the Taliban continued terrorist attacks inside Afghanistan even as it was negotiating with the US at Doha. And yet, the US, UK, Russia, and China chose to bring the group back in power.  Second, to see the MJC threat from the issue of terrorism alone is to miss the bigger picture. By demonstrating the success of its policies in Afghanistan, the MJC would be energised to use other methods of asymmetric warfare against India. More than the means, the Taliban's victory is the reaffirmation of its objectives.    What should India do?First and foremost, India must prepare for a reduced economic and diplomatic footprint in Afghanistan. Given the positive role India has played there over the last two decades, a sunk cost fallacy might drive India to make overtures to the Taliban. Such a policy is unlikely to pay dividends. The MJC will ensure that India's presence is severely restricted. In Afghanistan, it would be better to wait for the tide to change.  Second, India would need to raise its guard on the Pakistan border. With the perceived threat of Indian presence close to Balochistan going away, the MJC is likely to be more adventurous in using conventional and non-conventional warfare against India. Domestically, it means returning Jammu & Kashmir to near-normalcy becomes all the more urgent. More the discontent there, the easier it would be for the MJC to exploit the situation.  Third, strengthen the partnership with the US. The MJC has always been dependent on external benefactors for its survival. While China is playing that role today, it alone is insufficient to bear the burden. The MJC will be desperate to get the US to finance its ambitions based on its credentials to influence outcomes in Afghanistan. Hence, it's vital that India's relationship with the US must remain stronger than the relationship that MJC has with the US. Finally, amidst the current focus on US failures in Afghanistan, it shouldn't be forgotten that both India and the US need each other to confront the bigger strategic challenge: China.Regardless of the turn that Taliban-Pakistan relations take, an ideological victory for the MJC is bound to have repercussions in India. India must prepare to face the renewed challenge. (This is a draft of my article which appeared first in Times of India’s Tuesday, August 23rd edition.)India Policy Watch: Our Past, Our FutureInsights on burning policy issues in India- RSJA topic we often like to explore here is the history of thought. We cover a fair amount of western philosophy and we have tried gamely to include Indic thought while writing about current issues. In fact, a recurring section on international relations in this newsletter is called ‘matsyanyaya’. I’m no expert but I suspect writing here has helped me with a point of view on the Indian state and its relation to the history of Indian thought. Broadly, I have made three points on this over multiple editions:A nation is an imagined community and any newly independent State had to work on constructing this imagination. This meant they had to make three moves. One, they had to have a modern conception of themselves which was distinct from their past. Two, to make this ‘modernity’ acceptable, they had to present this conception as a ‘reawakening’ of their community. This gave them a link to their past. This past was a living truth for the members of this community and it couldn’t simply be erased. Three, historians were then called in to rewrite the past which served this narrative. This is the classic Benedict Anderson recipe and India is a fine example of using it in 1947. (Edition # 62)The Indian state formed post-independence was based on a radical act of forgetting the past. The Indian constitution wasn’t merely a legal framework to run the state. It was also a tool for social revolution. Society wasn’t trusted to reform itself with the speed that was necessary for India to modernise. It had to be induced from the outside by the state. (Edition #28)The hope was the liberal state would change the society before it could catch up. This hasn’t turned out to be true. Now the society looks likely to change the state in its image. And what’s the society like today? Like Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, once put it: ‘jab dil bhara ho aur dimaag khali hai’. Its heart is full of emotional torment but its mind is devoid of imagination. The society has somewhat vague notions of its ancient glory and civilisational sense of superiority because of it. But it’s not sure of what to make of it in today’s world. (Edition # 118 and Edition #128)So, I was happy to pick up Pavan K. Varma’s new book The Great Hindu Civilisation: Achievement, Neglect, Bias and the Way Forwardwhich as the name suggests covers these grounds. Varma is a former civil servant and a prolific writer whose works I have found tremendously engaging. Over the years he has written on a wide range of subjects - the great Indian epics, Ghalib and Gulzar, the Indian middle class, Kamasutra, Krishna and Draupadi. His last book was a well-researched biography of Adi Shankaracharya that also doubled up as a short introduction to various schools of Hindu philosophy with a special emphasis on Vedanta. Suppressing A Great CivilisationIn The Great Hindu Civilisation (‘TGHC’), Varma makes three arguments based on his deep understanding of ancient Indian texts and his scholarship on Indian history:Argument 1: India is a civilisational state. The achievements of ancient India in philosophy, metaphysics, arts, statecraft and science are unparalleled. These have been lost to us. We must reclaim their wisdom and apply it to our lives. Varma writes:Above all, it is my premise that this Hindu civilisation has few parallels in terms of the cerebral energy invested in it…. It was sustained by the unrelenting application of mind, in every field—metaphysics, philosophy, art, creativity, polity, society, science and economics. Nothing in it was random or happenstance. … When people are ruptured from their heritage, they are essentially rootless, not always lacking proficiency in their specific area of work, but essentially deracinated, mimic people, inured to another’s culture more than their own. Hindu civilisation was based on moulik soch or original thought, where each aspect of creativity was studied, examined, interrogated, discussed and experimented upon in the search for excellence. But when this great legacy was summarily devalued and looked upon as a liability to modernity, it left an entire people adrift from their cultural moorings, lacking authenticity and becoming a derivative people.Argument 2: Marxist historians, western Hinduphobic intellectuals, deracinated Indians and a self-serving Indian elite have long played a charade that there’s hardly anything real as a Hindu civilisation. This has given us a distorted picture of our past, about the impact of Islamic invaders and British colonialism on our culture and has prevented any honest inquiry into the real achievements of our civilisation. A false fear of Hindu aggrandisement is repeatedly stoked up at any such pursuit. The usual cast of deracinated suspects is named - Macaulay, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Amartya Sen, Romila Thapar, Irfan Habib, Wendy Doniger and, of course, Nehru. Though Varma cushions the jabs on Nehru a bit by blaming it on his associates or his naiveté. As he argues:Marxist historians devalue the civilisational tag of ancient India by analysing it exclusively in class and economic terms. Certainly, this is also one way of studying the past, but the problem is twofold. Firstly, this approach excludes all other dimensions, and insists that this is the only way to evaluate history. Secondly, the tools used are highly derivative, an almost complete transplant of Marx’s outdated, uninformed and stereotypical analytical framework in the Indian context.There is, of course, a basic irony in Hinduism’s derogation by some ‘liberals’. One would have thought that liberal opinion would be appreciative of a religion that relies less on dogma and more on debate. It would make a virtue of the fact that Hinduism enables diversity to thrive when many other faiths are prescriptive and rely on diktat. However, instead of lauding this eclecticism, they conclude that Hinduism is only about diversity ad infinitum.  Argument 3: Since the Hindu society has been systematically denied its real history, reactionary and lumpen elements have appropriated the task of peddling their version of history. This is the price to pay for distorting history instead of facing up to the truth. If we have to counter the thugs who have political and state patronage today, we have to make the ordinary Indians truly aware of their real Hindu heritage. This knowledge of the liberal, encompassing nature of Hindu philosophy is the best antidote to any fundamentalist ideology. He writes:The prescriptive element that the new, so-called evangelists of Hinduism are bringing in is anathema for most Hindus. Hinduism has always been a way of life. Hindus don’t like to be told what to do and what not to do, what to eat and what to drink, what to wear and how to behave, what to watch and what to read, who to meet and who not to, how to practise their religion and how to be good Hindus.The real danger is that we are witnessing the emergence of a lumpen leadership that believes that it has a monopoly to interpret Hinduism and Hindu civilisation. Since time immemorial, Hindus have faced many travails and setbacks but have survived them by drawing upon the great strengths of their culture: tradition and faith. Even in the greatest adversity, Hinduism have never allowed its core cerebration and idealism to be compromised. So What?My reaction while reading the book ranged from vigorous nods of approval to what is colloquially referred to as ‘abey yaar’. I will elaborate further here.Firstly, I agree with Varma about India being a civilisational state and Hinduism or sanatanadharma being a common cultural thread that runs through the length and breadth of this land. This is a lived experience for all of us and Varma quotes many examples of common rituals and practices that have been around for centuries to back this assertion. Denying this is an exercise in futility and serves no useful purpose except alienating a large section of Indians. Secondly, I’m happy to concede Varma’s contention that ancient Hindu civilisation was the pinnacle of human achievement during its time. “There was a holistic interconnectedness that informed it, and this unified vision permeated all aspects of its highly complex intellectual construct.”   Fair enough. A bit over the top but that’s fine. My question is what do we do with such an ancient but highly complex intellectual construct now? Almost every text Varma refers to was written hundreds of years before CE. Many of these are metatexts unmoored from their context or what formed the basis for such scholarship. One could read the hymns of Rig Veda on the conception of the universe today but what does that do to our understanding of science. To merely say it is similar to what quantum physics postulates today has limited meaning. It is the equivalent of saying Da Vinci designed all sorts of futuristic machines so let’s study him for scientific insights today. Even Arthashastra can be read to appreciate the philosophy of statecraft and economics of ancient India but beyond a concept or two that might be relevant today, what purpose will it serve? The problem here is there has been no reinterpretation or updates on these texts over two thousand years. I come from a town that houses one of the four mathas (seats) of Shankaracharya. I always wondered what stopped the scholars of the matha to do more to make their knowledge accessible. Resources? Scholarship? Interest? My personal experience suggests even they do not know what to do with this knowledge in the modern world. To draw a parallel, the reason a few texts of Greek philosophers are still taught selectively in western universities is because many philosophers of the renaissance and enlightenment used them to build further on their thoughts on ethics, politics and the state . Nobody reads their views on science, for instance, anymore. That’s because later philosophers falsified it. Similarly, there’s an unbroken chain of thinking from Adam Smith to a Piketty or a Sowell (choose your poison) today. So, it makes sense to selectively read Smith to get a basic understanding of how economic thought has evolved and then apply it further today. This is missing with the great ancient texts that hold Varma in raptures. How will reading texts of Aryabhatta and Bhaskara help mathematics students of today? Knowing about them could be useful to impress others about our great mathematical tradition but what beyond that? Will our rank on PISA change because of it? I suspect not. I will be keen to hear from readers on this.Varma also goes overboard at places and loses objectivity. Natya Shastra was probably a great achievement as a treatise on arts and theatre. But to imagine that western thought on aesthetics began from a series of articles on ‘The Pleasures of the Imagination’, a 1712 piece by Joseph Addison in the Spectator, as he writes, is to ignore the entire history of ancient Greek playwrights or even Shakespeare whose plays were running in London almost a hundred years before Addison’s articles. Here Varma possibly betrays the same flaws he accuses the likes of Doniger or Romila Thapar through the book. Anyway, I find no convincing answer from Varma on how a deeper understanding of these texts will help us today. Some kind of pride and a sense of identity is alluded to as the benefits through the book but I failed to appreciate its material manifestation.Thirdly, Varma talks about caste and patriarchy in Hindu civilisation but almost in passing. There are possibly 15 pages (if that) on this topic across the book. Even in them, Varma talks about the usual tropes first. That the original Hindu texts were suffused with liberal doctrine, how Shankara came across a Chandala in Kashi and placed him at par with the Brahmin or the usual list of women of ancient India - Gargi, Maitreyi or even the fictional Draupadi - to suggest how open Hinduism in its original version was. Only after this does Varma go on for a few pages on how things went bad over time. Finally, he writes:However, in spite of such high-minded protestations, there is no denying that the working of caste in actual social practice was a pervasive evil. It was—and is—an indelible blot on the civilisational legacy of India; it kept large parts of the populace institutionally cut-off from the many achievements of Hindu India, and also unleashed inhuman suffering for no other reason than the accident of birth.Yet, in spite of such unforgiveable failings, the overall achievements of this period of our history are truly remarkable, and are crying out for a much delayed recognition. What we need to realise is that across the length and breadth of Bharatvarsha, there evolved, over millennia, a civilisation that showed a profound application of mind to every aspect of organised as well as abstract human behaviour. It demonstrated the capacity of great and courageous divergent thinking, refusing to restrict itself to simplistic certitudes, and a willingness to wade deep into concepts and constructs that challenged conventional thought. Varma thinks of caste as an unforgivable failing. Is it a mere failing? Or, is it, as it has been often argued, the inevitable outcome of our civilisational construct? Who can tell? If after all these centuries, the one pervasive cultural reality that has prevailed in our society is caste, how should we think about it? The same argument holds for patriarchy and the place of women in our society. The reclaiming of the wisdom of the texts that Varma advocates - can it be done without facing up to the ‘material’ reality of caste and patriarchy that will accompany it? At abstract, Varma may be right. But the act of reclaiming won’t restrict itself to the realm of the abstract. I will come back to this at the end of the piece. Fourthly, is Varma the first scholar to question the version of our history that has been fed to us by the colonialist academia? Is he the first to lament the state of the culturally unmoored Indian elite and educated class who need to be brought home to the glory of our ancient civilisation? If not, what happened to previous such attempts? This is an area that has held my interest for a few years. And I’d like to highlight two 20th century intellectuals who spent their lifetime studying ancient Indian texts, translating them and looking to find their relevance in the modern context - Shri Aurobindo and Hazari Prasad Dwivedi. These are no ordinary names. They were first-rate intellectuals with rare felicity in both western and eastern philosophies. Varma quotes Aurobindo a few times in the book. So, what did they conclude? I’m going to stick my neck out and make some broad generalisation here. Aurobindo started this pursuit with an aim to find the modern relevance of our ancient texts and to spread it far and wide. What did he end up with? A very personal journey into the self that was mystical and detached from the material. Anything else couldn’t be transferred. That’s what he concluded. Dwivedi translated some of the great works of our past and wrote on our literary history in Hindi. But, in the end, he had to contend with the reality of the present. If we were such a great civilisation, why is our present the way it is? And he wasn’t content blaming the colonial rule or our lack of appreciation of our past. There was something else that was missing. Now you could persuade me to believe it was the ‘foreign’ invaders for over thousand years that’s responsible for our present. Maybe it is true. But that rupture is a reality and that discontinuity is so large that any attempt to bridge it through a modern reinterpretation of ancient texts can only be an academic ‘feel good’ exercise. Not a way forward to the future. Separately, it is worth pointing out here another area where I think Varma had a weak argument. How did Hinduism survive the Islamic or Turkish onslaught and the Mughal hegemony while other countries like Indonesia or Malaysia turned Muslim under the sword. This is a question that’s often asked in many debates of this kind. Varma’s answer is below:The Bhakti movement was Hinduism’s response to the violent and proselytising Islamic invasion. In this sense, it was as much about renewal as it was about self-preservation. If Hinduism had not shown the suppleness and energy to reinvent itself, and had remained brittle and fossilised as in earlier structures without the mass support enabled by the Bhakti movement, it may have suffered the same fate that befell it (and Buddhism) in Indonesia with the advent of Islam.   There are two problems with this thesis. One, the Bhakti movement in many areas of India predate the Islamic conquest of those areas. Between the 10th-12th centuries, large parts of West, South and East India where the Bhakti movement gained strength were still under Hindu (or Jain) kings. Two, what do a cursory look at the Bhakti movement and its output reveal? Women and those from the bottom of the social pyramid often led the way. Their songs spoke of their desire to be one with God without an intermediary in between. Those who opposed them were mostly upper-caste Hindu men. The Bhakti movement was indeed a rupture in Indian cultural history. But, to me, it appears it was more an internal response of the most exploited section of Hinduism to its entrenched caste establishment. Not to Islam. Fifthly, Varma is sincere in his defence of real Hinduism against what he calls the “illiterate bigotry of the self-anointed new ‘protectors’ of Hinduism.” He writes:Knowledge is a great enabler. Anyone who has studied Hinduism, or acquired even a basic familiarity about its lofty eclecticism and deep cerebration, would laugh out of the room those who seek to conflate this great faith only with violence and exclusion. Varma almost thinks the ‘lumpenisation’ of Hinduism (as he calls it) is a phenomenon in the abstract that has arisen because people don’t know real Hinduism. It might be true but empirical evidence goes against it. Any ‘nationalist’ exercise of reclaiming the past after the advent of modern nation-states runs the risk of ‘instrumentalising’ this past for political gains in the present. This holds true everywhere - in pre-WW2 Germany or Japan, in current-day Turkey and in communist China. For instance, there’s nothing that the Party in China learns from Confucius or some ancient Han dynasty view of the Middle Kingdom that it sincerely wants to apply today. It is a mere ‘instrument’ to homogenise its people, perpetuate the party supremacy or use it for diplomatic parleys with other nations. Varma believes one can ‘thread the needle’ by taking the great and the good from the past while avoiding the instrumental use of it which manifests in form of bigotry and minority persecution. But it is a difficult task. So here’s the thing. How should I think of Nehru, Ambedkar and other ‘liberals’? Those who decided to use the Constitution to rid India of the ‘deadwood of the past’. One way to think of them is as intellectuals who appreciated the glory of our ancient past but realised any kind of reclaiming of that past in the modern conception of the state will bring along with it all the baggage and the ‘deadwood’. They feared the good of that past will be buried soon under the ‘unforgivable failings’ that accompany it. So, they let it be. And decided to begin afresh. Varma is in a different reality today. He sees the hijacking of Hinduism, as he would put it, in front of his eyes. The ‘instrumental’ use of religion for narrow purposes by those who don’t understand it at all. Yet, he hopes it is possible to thread the needle between the good and the bad of the past. The likes of Nehru feared this would happen and tried to avoid it. Varma finds it around him and yet wants to go down that path. Maybe because he’s a good man and an optimist. Having read him over the years, I’d like to believe so. A Framework a Week: How to Analyse an AnalysisTools for thinking public policy— Pranay KotasthaneIf I were given the power to change one subject in school syllabi, I would introduce analytical thinking. In the Information Age, we are exposed to several opinions on any given topic. Impactful analogies and powerful metaphors can change our thinking about a topic. Sometimes, our views end up being a regurgitation of the last good opinion piece we’ve come across. Hence, wouldn’t it be great if we have a framework to analyse opinions, whether in the form of papers, articles, or books? That’s where Analytical Thinking comes in. To systematically think about how we think can help us deeply reflect on an opinion instead of being swayed by the fast brain into outrage or vehement agreement. Last week, I revisited this eightfold path for analysing the logic of a book/article/paper in the book The Thinker's Guide to Analytic Thinking by Linda Elder and Richard Paul. The framework forces us to reflect on eight dimensions:The main purpose of this article is ____. (Here you are trying to state, as accurately as possible, the author’s intent in writing the article. What was the author trying to accomplish?)The key question that the author is addressing is ____. (Your goal is to figure out the key question that was in the mind of the author when he/she wrote the article. What was the key question addressed in the article?)The most important information in this article is ____. (You want to identify the key information the author used, or presupposed, in the article to support his/her main arguments. Here you are looking for facts, experiences, and/or data the author is using to support his/her conclusions.)The main inferences in this article are ___ (You want to identify the most important conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article).The key concept(s) we need to understand in this article is (are) __. By these concepts the author means __. (To identify these ideas, ask yourself: What are the most important ideas that you would have to know to understand the author’s line of reasoning? Then briefly elaborate what the author means by these ideas.)The main assumption(s) underlying the author’s thinking is (are) _ (Ask yourself: What is the author taking for granted that might be questioned? The assumptions are generalizations that the author does not think he/she has to defend in the context of writing the article, and they are usually unstated. This is where the author’s thinking logically begins.)If we accept this line of reasoning (completely or partially), the implications are ___. (What consequences are likely to follow if people take the author’s line of reasoning seriously? Here you are to pursue the logical implications of the author’s position. You should include implications that the author states, and also those that the author does not state.) If we fail to accept this line of reasoning, the implications are __. (What consequences are likely to follow if people ignore the author’s reasoning?)The main point(s) of view presented in this article is (are) _. (The main question you are trying to answer here is: What is the author looking at, and how is he/she seeing it? For example, in this mini-guide we are looking at “analysis” and seeing it “as requiring one to understand” and routinely apply the elements of reasoning when thinking through problems, issues, subjects, etc.).[Elder, Linda; Paul, Richard. The Thinker's Guide to Analytic Thinking (Kindle Locations 353-365). Foundation for Critical Thinking. Kindle Edition]The framework is intense but is super helpful in analysing topics you want to master. It shares similarities with the Indian debating tradition called the purva paksha — representing your opponent’s view faithfully before criticising it. Matsyanyaaya #2: US Credibility and India’s OptionsBig fish eating small fish = Foreign Policy in action— Pranay KotasthaneThe humanitarian crisis triggered by a botched US withdrawal has sparked an old debate on reliability in international relations. In several countries which count themselves as US partners, the question being posed is: will the US prove to be a fickle partner, like it did in Afghanistan?For a long time, I have wondered if using terms such as reliability or reputation is a case of category error. Trust, reliability, all-weather friendship apply to human relationships. Transplanting these ideas to an amoral domain such as international relations does not make sense, is what I believed. The current debate surrounding US credibility helped me update my priors. First up, if you want to read the literature on reliability and reputation in international relations, Paul Poast has a typically useful Twitter thread compiling important works on this topic. Out of these articles, Don Casler’s post stands out in its clarity. He writes in Duck of Minerva:“One major issue in discourse about credibility is that policy and media elites often conflate a group of interrelated but distinct concepts: credibility, reputation, and resolve.Credibility is the perceived likelihood that an actor will follow through on her threats or promises. Reputation is a belief about an actor’s persistent characteristics or tendencies based on her past behavior. Resolve is the willingness to stand firm and pay costs in the face of pressure to back down.In theory, an actor’s reputation for resolve — along with her capabilities and interests — contributes to her credibility by shaping observers’ estimates whether she is likely to follow through on her commitments.However, reputation and credibility are ultimately beliefs held by others. If we want to predict how foreign governments will react to U.S. foreign policy decisions, then we need to understand their theories about how the world works.” The last line is important from the Indian perspective. The sense of being wronged by the west is a continuing strand in India’s conception of the world. Specifically, the US’ anti-India stance in the 1971 war continues to cast a long shadow over India-US relations. The cohort that already holds these views will use the US withdrawal to reaffirm its scepticism.Even so, I would argue that this perceived lack of US credibility is not the most important determinant of India-US relations for three reasons:One, the younger cohort of millennials and post-millennials perceive the US differently. Their imagination about the US is shaped by the India-US civil nuclear deal, a decline in US-Pakistan bonhomie, and perhaps most importantly, the deep connections between the markets and societies in the two countries. Two, a common strategic adversary — China — reduces the salience of the reputation question. In an amoral setting, interests trump reputational concerns. When facing a powerful common adversary, you don’t get to pick or change your partners. Seen this way, China’s aggressive and arrogant approach further cements the India-US relationship. Perhaps, this would be a good time for the Quad to make a few major announcements on trade and technology to douse the reputation question. Three, the US backing of the Pakistani military-jihadi complex is less of a problem than it was a decade ago. The US administration’s statements on Kashmir and Balakot airstrikes are vastly different from what the older cohort of policymakers in India is used to. The US would do well to continue this strategy instead of empowering the military-jihadi complex with the false hope that it would make the Taliban behave. So, what do you think? In a world with just two options, should India choose a less reliable, more powerful partner or a more reliable, less powerful partner? HomeWorkReading and listening recommendations on public policy matters[Video] Pavan K. Varma talks about his book The Great Hindu Civilisation at HLF with Advaita Kala. I might have been a tad unfair about some arguments of Varma. So, it is best to read the book or listen to him directly.[Podcast] Ghazala Wahab was on Puliyabaazi discussing Indian Islam and its variants. In times when Hindu-Muslim bayaanbaazi is far more prevalent, we believe conversations such as these can help dismantle false notions the two communities hold. [Survey] Takshashila has put out India’s Global Outlook Survey. The survey is an effort to bridge the knowledge gap around how Indian policymakers, the strategic affairs community and ordinary citizens view India’s role in the world. Do take the survey. Get on the email list at publicpolicy.substack.com

In this week's episode of the Futility Closet podcast we'll explore some curiosities and unanswered questions from Greg's research, including a novelist's ashes, some bathing fairies, the mists of Dartmoor, and a ballooning leopard. We'll also revisit the Somerton man and puzzle over an armed traveler. Intro: Amanda McKittrick Ros is widely considered the worst novelist of all time. John Cummings swallowed 30 knives. Sources for our notes and queries: The Pony Express ad is quoted in Christopher Corbett's 2004 history Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legend of the Pony Express. It appeared first in Missouri amateur historian Mabel Loving's posthumous 1961 history The Pony Express Rides On!, but she cites no source, and no one's been able to find the ad. The anecdote about John Gawsworth keeping M.P. Shiel's ashes in a biscuit tin appears in John Sutherland's 2011 book Lives of the Novelists. "The comedian and scholar of nineteenth-century decadent literature, Barry Humphries, was (unwillingly) one such diner -- 'out of mere politeness.'" Sutherland gives only this source, which says nothing about the ashes. (Thanks, Jaideep.) Henry Irving's observation about amateur actors and personal pronouns is mentioned in Robertson Davies' 1951 novel Tempest-Tost. Joseph Addison's definition of a pun appeared in the Spectator, May 10, 1711. Theodore Hook's best pun is given in William Shepard Walsh's Handy-Book of Literary Curiosities, 1892. Richard Sugg's anecdote of the Ilkley fairies appears in this 2018 Yorkshire Post article. The proof of the Pythagorean theorem by "Miss E. A. Coolidge, a blind girl" appears in Robert Kaplan and Ellen Kaplan's 2011 book Hidden Harmonies: The Lives and Times of the Pythagorean Theorem. They found it in Elisha Scott Loomis' 1940 book The Pythagorean Proposition, which cites the Journal of Education (Volume 28, 1888, page 17), which I haven't been able to get my hands on -- the Kaplans couldn't either, until they discovered it had been mis-shelved in the stacks of Harvard's Gutman Library. Neither Loomis nor the Kaplans gives the proof as it originally appeared, and neither gives Coolidge's age at the proof. The anecdote of the Dartmoor fog appears in William Crossing's 1888 book Amid Devonia's Alps. The Paris fogs of the 1780s are described in Louis-Sébastien Mercier's Tableau de Paris (Chapter CCCLXIV, 1:1014), a 12-volume topographic description of the city that appeared between 1782 and 1788, as quoted in Jeremy Popkin, ed., Panorama of Paris: Selections From Tableau de Paris, 2010. "I have known fogs so thick that you could not see the flame in their lamps," Mercier wrote, "so thick that coachmen have had to get down from their boxes and feel their way along the walls. Passers-by, unwilling and unwitting, collided in the tenebrous streets; and you marched in at your neighbour's door under the impression that it was your own." The anecdote about Charles Green and his ballooning companions appears in John Lucas' 1973 book The Big Umbrella. The best image I've been able to find of the Dobhar-chú, the "king otter" of Irish folklore, accompanies this 2018 article from the Leitrim Observer. Does a photo exist of Grace Connolly's entire headstone? According to WorldCat, G.V. Damiano's 1922 book Hadhuch-Anti Hell-War is held only by the New York Public Library System; by Trinity College Library in Hartford, Ct.; and by the Center for Research Libraries in Chicago. If it's available online, I haven't been able to find it. The incident of the dividing typewriters is mentioned in this article from the Vancouver Sun, and there's a bit more on this Australian typewriter blog. The anecdote about Enroughty being pronounced "Darby" appears in the designer's notes for the wargame The Seven Days, Volume III: Malvern Hill. This 1912 letter to the New York Times affirms the pronunciation, and this 1956 letter to American Heritage gives another explanation of its origin -- one of many. A few more confirming sources: Robert M. Rennick, "I Didn't Catch Your Name," Verbatim 29:2 (Summer 2004). Parke Rouse, "The South's Cloudy Vowels Yield to Bland Consonance," [Newport News, Va.] Daily Press, Feb. 23, 1989, A11. Earl B. McElfresh, "Make Straight His Path: Mapmaking in the Civil War," Civil War Times 46:4 (June 2007), 36-43, 5. But even if it's true, there's no consistent explanation as to how this state of affairs came about. Listener mail: Daniel Keane and Rhett Burnie, "The Somerton Man's Remains Have Been Exhumed — So What Happens Next?" ABC News, May 19, 2021. Hilary Whiteman, "The Somerton Man Died Alone on a Beach in 1948. Now Australian Scientists Are Close to Solving the Mystery," CNN, May 31, 2021. "Operation Persist Enters New Phase," Crime Stoppers South Australia, Jan. 30, 2019. "Most-Wanted Iraqi Playing Cards," Wikipedia (accessed Jul. 9, 2021). Leon Neyfakh, "An Ingenious New Way of Solving Cold Cases," Slate, Feb. 1, 2016. Jean Huets, "Killing Time," New York Times Opinionater, Sept. 7, 2012. "1863 Complete Set of Confederate Generals Playing Cards (52)," Robert Edward Auctions (accessed July 10, 2021). James Elphick, "Four Ways Americans Have Used Playing Cards in War," History Net (accessed July 10, 2021). "WWII Airplane Spotter Cards," The Museum of Flight Store (accessed July 11, 2021). "Vesna Vulovic," Wikipedia (accessed July 4, 2021). Richard Sandomir, "Vesna Vulovic, Flight Attendant Who Survived Jetliner Blast, Dies at 66," New York Times, Dec. 28, 2016. "Yeast Hunting," myBeviale, June 1, 2020. This week's lateral thinking puzzle was contributed by listener Sarah Gilbert, who sent this corroborating link (warning -- this spoils the puzzle). You can listen using the player above, download this episode directly, or subscribe on Google Podcasts, on Apple Podcasts, or via the RSS feed at https://futilitycloset.libsyn.com/rss. Please consider becoming a patron of Futility Closet -- you can choose the amount you want to pledge, and we've set up some rewards to help thank you for your support. You can also make a one-time donation on the Support Us page of the Futility Closet website. Many thanks to Doug Ross for the music in this episode. If you have any questions or comments you can reach us at podcast@futilitycloset.com. Thanks for listening!

“Seguir cuando crees que no puedes más, es lo que te hará diferente a los demás”. La persistencia es una característica de los vencedores. Hay numerosos ejemplos de seguir adelante siendo persistentes y no desesperándonos. La empresa Coca-Cola solo vendió 400 botellas en su primer año. El famoso basquetbolista Michael Jordan fue expulsado de su equipo en la escuela preparatoria. La primer casa publicadora rechazó los escritos del Dr. Seuss por ser irrelevantes, infantiles y poco interesantes. El científico Albert Einstein no pudo hablar hasta los cuatro años de edad. Se pensaba que tenía severos problemas de aprendizaje y pudo sobrepasarlos todos convirtiéndose en uno de los científicos más prominentes de la historia. Así como estos ejemplos, hay muchos más. Joseph Addison dijo: “Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián”. La paciencia y la perseverancia tienen un efecto mágico ante el que las dificultades desaparecen y los obstáculos se desvanecen. No te detengas, Dios está contigo. La Biblia dice en Santiago 1:12, “Bienaventurado el hombre que persevera bajo la prueba, porque una vez que ha sido aprobado, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman” (LBLA).

Welcome to Day 1626 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomEssentials To Happiness – Daily WisdomWelcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! Wisdom is the final frontier in gaining true knowledge. Our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, seek out discernment and insights, and boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Hello, my friend; this is Gramps. Thanks for coming along on our trek to increase Wisdom and Create a Living Legacy. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016%3A16&version=NLT (Proverbs 16:16) How much better to get wisdom than gold, and sound judgment than silver!  Today is Day 1626 of our Trek, and it's time for another nugget of wisdom, which includes an inspirational quote along with some wise words from Gramps for today's trek. If you apply the words you hear today, over time, it will help you become more healthy, wealthy, and wise as you continue your daily trek of life. So let's jump right in with today's nugget: Today's quote is from Joseph Addison, and it is: “The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.”      Essentials To Happiness Most of us struggle to be happy. Our society has ingrained into our minds that happiness comes from receiving things that are external to us. We think that if we just had a new car, or house, or job, or friend, or spouse, then we would be happy. If you are not happy with your current situation, you will not be happy if that situation changes. While happiness to a certain extent is external to us, we do not become happy by receiving something or a change in our circumstances. To have lasting happiness in your life, there are three essential elements needed. The exciting aspect of these three essential elements is they are not based on what we receive but what we are willing to give. A happy life is grounded in having a fulfilling purpose, that is to say, something worthwhile to do. That could be work, play, ministry, or serving in some other capacity. Happiness comes from when we pour ourselves into someone else's life. This could be a spouse, children, work associates, other family members, friends, or those who are less fortunate than we are. Happiness is also firmly grounded in having something to hope for. Some purpose to get up each day. Some positive impacts that you can make on your world. We all need something to look forward to. This comes when we serve others, love others, encourage others, and are kind to others. When we have something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for, we will find happiness, or to put it in a different light, it is then when happiness will find us. Happiness stems from our faith in and love for others. Happiness is found when we follow God's commands. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A35&version=NLT (Psalm 119:35) Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. As you ponder this nugget of wisdom for yourself, please encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.' If you would like to listen to any of our past 1625 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day's trek will be downloaded automatically. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day. As we take this Trek of life together, let us always: Live Abundantly (Fully) Love Unconditionally Listen Intentionally Learn Continuously Lend to others Generously Lead with...

The year was 1628. We remember Valentine "The Stroker" Greatrakes. The reading for today comes from the English poet Joseph Addison, "Ode." — FULL TRANSCRIPTS available: https://www.1517.org/podcasts/the-christian-history-almanac GIVE BACK: Support the work of 1517 today CONTACT: CHA@1517.org SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts Spotify Stitcher Overcast Google Play FOLLOW US: Facebook Twitter Audio production by Christopher Gillespie (gillespie.media).

*Meditación**”Dios...es rico en misericordia.”* (Efesios 2:4)La misericordia es aquella compasión y bondad que Dios manifiesta a los que sonculpables y débiles o están en angustia y necesidad. Las Escrituras hacen hincapié enque Dios es rico en misericordia (Ef. 2:4), y grande en misericordia (Sal. 86:5). Sumisericordia es abundante (1 P. 1:3); grande es hasta los cielos (Sal. 57:10). “Porquecomo la altura de los cielos sobre la tierra, engrandeció su misericordia sobre los que letemen” (Sal. 103:11). De Dios se dice que es “Padre de misericordias” (2 Co. 1:3) y quees “muy misericordioso y compasivo” (Stg. 5:11). Es imparcial cuando otorga Sumisericordia: “hace salir su sol sobre malos y buenos, y hace llover sobre justos einjustos” (Mt. 5:45). Los hombres no se salvan por obras de justicia (Tit. 3:5) sino porSu soberana misericordia (Éx. 33:19; Ro. 9:15). Su misericordia permanece parasiempre sobre los que le temen (Sal. 136:1; Lc. 1:50), pero al impenitente lamisericordia le alcanza solamente en esta vida.Hay una diferencia entre gracia y misericordia. Gracia significa que Dios me colma debendiciones que no merezco. La misericordia significa que no me castiga comomerezco.Cada doctrina de la Escritura trae consigo obligaciones. Las misericordias de Diosrequieren, en primer lugar, que presentemos nuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo,aceptable a Dios (Ro. 12:1). Esto es lo más razonable, racional, sano y sensible quepodemos hacer.También es verdad que Dios quiere que seamos misericordiosos los unos con losotros. Ha prometido una recompensa especial para el misericordioso: “alcanzaránmisericordia” (Mt. 5:7). El Señor quiere misericordia y no sacrificio (Mt. 9:13), esdecir, los grandes actos de sacrificio son inaceptables si están separados de la piedadpersonal.El buen samaritano es aquel que muestra misericordia a su prójimo. Esta misericordiase deja ver cuando alimentamos al hambriento, vestimos al pobre, atendemos alenfermo, visitamos a las viudas y a los huérfanos, y lloramos con los que lloran.Somos misericordiosos cuando rehusamos vengarnos de alguien que nos ha hechomal, o acogemos compasivamente a aquellos que han fracasado.Recordando lo que somos, debemos orar pidiendo misericordia por nosotros mismos(He. 4:16) y por los demás (Gá. 6:16; 1 Ti. 1:2).Por último, las misericordias de Dios deben afinar nuestros corazones para cantar Susalabanzas.Cuando todas tus maravillas ¡Oh mi Dios!Mi alma resucitada contempla,Transportado por la visiónMe lleno de amor, asombro y admiración.Joseph Addison

"The Vision of Mirza" and "Westminster Abbey," first printed in "The Spectator," are examples of Addison's wondrous gift of expression. He leads us to higher realms. (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)Last issue of "The Spectator" published Dec. 6, 1712.

Introductory note on Joseph Addison (Volume 27, Harvard Classics)

In this episode of Theatre is Dead, Cara and Charlie get personal with revolutionary playwright and propaganda kween Mary Otis Warren and discuss how theatre might have won the American Revolution. Sources:THE FIRST AMERICAN THEATREOn this day 1778 Joseph Addison’s play Cato: A Tragedy was performed to the American Continental army encamped in Valley Forge Unhappy "Unhappy Differences:" The American Revolution and the Disruption of the Course of Theatre in VirginiaBritish Soldiers' Theatre During the Revolutionary WarCONGRESS BANS THEATRE!Mercy Otis Warren American writer and historianRevolutionary War BIOGRAPHY Mercy Otis WarrenNational Women's Hall of Fame: Mercy Otis WarrenMercy Otis Warren (1728–1814)National Women's History Museum: Mercy Otis WarrenLego stop animation: Mercy Otis Warren

Sappho: The Translations (Reprise) The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 11 with Heather Rose Jones In this show we'll look at the legacy of Sappho from the Middle Ages up through the 19th century: the various images people had of her, how people used her as a symbol, the way those images affected how her poetry was translated into everyday languages, and how poets used her themes and imagery in their own work. In this episode we talk about: How much poetry did Sappho write, and how much survives? Why was it lost, and why were the bits we have preserved? What was the changing image of Sappho from the middle ages through the 19th century? How did people reconcile their admiration for Sappho's poetry and their disapproval of homosexuality? Who translated Sappho's works and how did their opinions of her affect those translations? The show will include recitations of the following poems: Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Jane McIntosh Snyder from Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho (20th century) “On a Lady Named Beloved” inspired by fragment #31: Anne de Rohan (1617), translated from the French Fragment #31: John Hall (1652) Fragment #31: Joseph Addison (1735) Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Abrose Philips (1748) “Eleanore” inspired by Fragment #31: Lord Tennyson (1832) Fragment #31 & “Imitation of Sappho” inspired by Fragment #31: Mary Hewitt (1845) Books used as source material Addison, Joseph. 1735. The Works of Anacreon, Translated into English Verse, with Notes Explanatory and Poetical. To which are added the Odes, Fragments, and Epigrams of Sappho. London. Castle, Terry (ed). 2003. The Literature of Lesbianism: A Historical Anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-12510-0 Hall, John. 1652. Sappho's On the Sublime. Snyder, Jane. 1997. Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho. New York: Columbia University Press. Wharton, Henry Thornton. 1887. Sappho: Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings, and a Literal Translation. London. This topic is discussed in one or more entries of the Lesbian Historic Motif Project here: Sappho A transcript of this podcast is available here. Links to the Lesbian Historic Motif Project Online Website: http://alpennia.com/lhmp Blog: http://alpennia.com/blog RSS: http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/ Twitter: @LesbianMotif Discord: Contact Heather for an invitation to the Alpennia/LHMP Discord server The Lesbian Historic Motif Project Patreon Links to Heather Online Website: http://alpennia.com Email: Heather Rose Jones Twitter: @heatherosejones Facebook: Heather Rose Jones (author page)

Sappho: The Translations The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 11 with Heather Rose Jones In this show we'll look at the legacy of Sappho from the Middle Ages up through the 19th century: the various images people had of her, how people used her as a symbol, the way those images affected how her poetry was translated into everyday languages, and how poets used her themes and imagery in their own work. In this episode we talk about: How much poetry did Sappho write, and how much survives? Why was it lost, and why were the bits we have preserved? What was the changing image of Sappho from the middle ages through the 19th century? How did people reconcile their admiration for Sappho's poetry and their disapproval of homosexuality? Who translated Sappho's works and how did their opinions of her affect those translations? The show will include recitations of the following poems: Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Jane McIntosh Snyder from Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho (20th century) “On a Lady Named Beloved” inspired by fragment #31: Anne de Rohan (1617), translated from the French Fragment #31: John Hall (1652) Fragment #31: Joseph Addison (1735) Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Abrose Philips (1748) “Eleanore” inspired by Fragment #31: Lord Tennyson (1832) Fragment #31 & “Imitation of Sappho” inspired by Fragment #31: Mary Hewitt (1845) Books used as source material Addison, Joseph. 1735. The Works of Anacreon, Translated into English Verse, with Notes Explanatory and Poetical. To which are added the Odes, Fragments, and Epigrams of Sappho. London. Castle, Terry (ed). 2003. The Literature of Lesbianism: A Historical Anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-12510-0 Hall, John. 1652. Sappho's On the Sublime. Snyder, Jane. 1997. Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho. New York: Columbia University Press. Wharton, Henry Thornton. 1887. Sappho: Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings, and a Literal Translation. London. This topic is discussed in one or more entries of the Lesbian Historic Motif Project here: Sappho A transcript of this podcast is available here. Links to the Lesbian Historic Motif Project Online Website: http://alpennia.com/lhmp Blog: http://alpennia.com/blog RSS: http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/ Twitter: @LesbianMotif Discord: Contact Heather for an invitation to the Alpennia/LHMP Discord server The Lesbian Historic Motif Project Patreon Links to Heather Online Website: http://alpennia.com Email: Heather Rose Jones Twitter: @heatherosejones Facebook: Heather Rose Jones (author page)

Kirsten Hall is a doctoral candidate at the University of Texas at Austin, a graduate fellow at the Austin Institute, and the managing editor of the Genealogies of Modernity Blog. She joins Ryan to discuss eighteenth-century literature, drama, and thought. Their conversation ranges from the historical importance of Cato, the eighteenth century’s Hamilton, to what 2001: A Space Odyssey can tell us about “the deep eighteenth century.” They also discuss the newest film adaption of Jane Austen’s Emma and the similarities between the comic novel and the movie Austenland.   Calling cards for social media   Genealogical anxiety   The quarrel of the ancients and the moderns   Jonathan Swift’s The Battle of the Books   The eighteenth century’s concern about forgeries   Joseph Addison’s Cato   Eighteenth-century drama   The splendid vices/pagan virtues   2001: A Space Odyssey and the deep eighteenth century   Period costume dramas   Slapstick and the comic novel   Links: Genealogies of Modernity Blog The Battle of the Books by Jonathan Swift Cato by Joseph Addison Autumn de Wilde’s Emma Austenland

10 May 2020 The Fifth Sunday of Easter NOTE: Due to the Covid19 / Coronavirus Emergency the Archdiocese of New York has cancelled all public Masses for an indefinite period. The homily attached hereto was given on 14 May 2017, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, using the same Readings as for today, 10 May 2020. John 14:1-12 + Homily 21 Minutes 17 Seconds Link to the Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm 10 (New American Bible, Revised Edition)   From the parish bulletin of Sunday 10 May 2020:   “As I was saying…” That, more or less, is how Saint Athanasius began his homily each time he returned from exile. Over seventeen years, he was banished five times by four Roman emperors for reasons political and theological, but he persisted in defying the heresy of the powerful Arians who had a flawed idea of the Trinity and the divinity of Christ. The persistence of Athanasius in the face of discouragement is honored by his inclusion along with Ambrose, Augustine and John Chrysostom in Bernini’s Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica.    Persistence against the odds shows the strength of humility, whereas its opposite, vainglory, is easily discouraged in difficult times. Athanasius, whose feast was recently celebrated, comes to mind in preparation for the feast this coming Thursday of the persistent Matthias. He is sometimes confused with Matthew the tax collector, one of the original twelve apostles. But Matthias was very much his own man, and even though he gets no mention in the Gospel texts, the book of the Acts of the Apostles records that he was one of the seventy disciples appointed by Christ, and was a witness to the Resurrection.     After the Ascension but before Pentecost, Peter summoned his fellow apostles to choose a man to fill the moral cavity left by the suicide of Judas. There was no precedent for this, so Matthias was nominated along with another early companion of Christ, Joseph Barsabbas, a reliable man, and in fact he was called Justus for that reason. As the soldiers had cast lots to see who would own Christ’s tunic, that disgrace was atoned for by the apostles casting lots, the equivalent of shooting dice, to choose one of the two. Matthias was the winner, if you consider a virtual assurance of martyrdom something devoutly to be wished. According to one tradition, Barsabbas became the holy bishop of Eleutheropolis, near modern Hebron. Matthias went on to preach the Gospel in Judea, and probably Turkey, and Ethiopia as well, finally shedding his blood for the Savior, perhaps in Jerusalem.    Matthias left no extant writings, but his humble persistence is testimony to John Bunyan’s hymn:          There’s no discouragement        Shall make him once relent        His first avowed intent        To be a pilgrim.   Although there is no evidence that Matthias was an addict of any sort, because of his persistence he is the patron saint of alcoholics and others contending against various sorts of compulsive behavior. Early in the eighteenth century, the essayist Joseph Addison wrote: “If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”    That is sound domestic advice, and can invoke the examples of the virtuous of any age. The saints like Matthias and Athanasius take it to heights heroic with the results promised by the Risen Christ.  

You know sometimes you hear a quote or an aphorism and you think, That’s it. That’s me. That’s my philosophy for life. Well it turns out that is a pretty common and timeless thing. At the very least, we know it goes back to the time of George Washington. Washington’s favorite play was the play Cato, about the Roman Senator and Stoic philosopher by Joseph Addison. This play, which was written in 1712, was hugely famous in its time, and, with some irony, it might be called the “Hamilton” of the day. It was so familiar to the people in the late 18th century that it could be quoted without attribution and everyone knew exactly where the line came from. And Washington in particular liked to quote one line that must have spoken to him the way those quotes speak to us now—where you just know that nothing will capture what you think and feel about life better than that. “Free,” he said in a letter to a friend after the Revolution about his return to private life, “from the bustle of a camp and the intrigues of court, I shall view the busy world ‘in the calm light of mild philosophy,’ and with that serenity of mind, which the Soldier in his pursuit of glory, and the Statesman of fame have not time to enjoy.” In fact, in the book The Political Philosophy of George Washington, the author Jeffry H. Morrison notes that in a single two week period in 1797, Washington quoted that same line in three different letters. And later, in Washington’s greatest but probably least known moment, when he talked down the mutinous troops who were plotting to overthrow the U.S government at Newburgh, he quoted the same line again, as he urged them away from acting on their anger and frustration. In the calm lights of mild philosophy. That’s Stoicism. That’s using Reason to temper our impulses and our emotions. As Epictetus said, it’s about putting our impressions up to the test. It’s what Marcus Aurelius talked about when he said that our life is what our thoughts make it. That what we choose to see determines how we will feel. We must follow this advice today and every day. It served Cato well and Washington even better. All that we see must be illuminated by the calm lights of mild philosophy. So we can see what it really is. So we don’t do anything we regret. So we can enjoy this wonderful gift of life we possess, whatever our station.

Today on The Literary Life, Cindy Rollins and Angelina Stanford are joined by a special guest, Angelina's husband, Thomas Banks! This week's selection for our summer series is Joseph Addison's "The Adventures of a Shilling." This episode is packed with book references, so scroll down for links to the titles mentioned! The conversation today kicks off with an attempt at defining the "essay" form and giving a brief history on its development. Thomas shares a little background information on Joseph Addison and his writing, as well as several other essayists who came before and after Addison. Thomas also talks about why essays are a significant part of his reading life. The conversation also spins off into a discussion of the importance of how we spend our leisure time. Finally, our hosts chat about this week's essay, which gives highlights of England's history from the perspective of a silver coin. Addison's tale is full of humor and satire, as well as layers of social commentary and pathos. Don't forget to register for the Back to School online conference coming up on August 26-29, 2019 so you don't miss out on this awesome opportunity to "repair the ruins" of your own education. Summer of the Short Story: Ep 15: "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant Ep 16: "Why I Write" by George Orwell Ep 17: "The Celestial Omnibus" by E. M. Forster Ep 18: "Vulture on War" by Samuel Johnson When I Consider How My Light Is Spent by John Milton When I consider how my light is spent,    Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,    And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present    My true account, lest He returning chide;    "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need    Either man's work or His own gifts. Who best    Bear His mild yoke, they serve Him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at His bidding speed,    And post o'er land and ocean without rest;    They also serve who only stand and wait." Book List: (Amazon Affiliate Links) Lives of the Poets by Samuel Johnson The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell Dove Descending by Thomas Howard Four Quartets by T. S. Elliot The Essays by Sir Frances Bacon The Essays: A Selection by Michel de Montaigne The Defendant by G. K. Chesterton The Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb Confessions of an English Opium-Eater by Thomas de Quincy Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper Cato: A Tragedy by Joseph Addison Gulliver's Travels and The Battle of the Books by Jonathon Swift Support The Literary Life: Become a patron of The Literary Life podcast as part of the “Friends and Fellows Community” on Patreon, and get some amazing bonus content! Thanks for your support! Connect with Us: Find Angelina at  https://angelinastanford.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ANGStanford/ Find Cindy at https://cindyrollins.net and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cindyrollins.net/ Jump into our private Facebook group, The Literary Life Discussion Group, and let’s get the book talk going! http://bit.ly/literarylifeFB

Heute gehen wir einigen Überlegungen zum Thema „Glück“ nach und lassen uns dabei von Joseph Addison, einem englischen Vertreter der frühen Aufklärung, inspirieren. Er setzt auf Arbeit, Liebe und Hoffnung als Voraussetzung für ein glückliches Leben. Kontakt für Fragen und Anregungen: info@lemper-pychlau.de

Sappho: The Translations (reprised) The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast - Episode 27c Due to scheduling issues, I’m reprising a pair of shows I aired two years ago about Sappho and her poetry. I hope you enjoy either revisiting this material or discovering it for the first time. In this episode we talk about How much poetry did Sappho write, and how much survives? Why was it lost, and why were the bits we have preserved? What was the changing image of Sappho from the middle ages through the 19th century? How did people reconcile their admiration for Sappho’s poetry and their disapproval of homosexuality? Who translated Sappho’s works and how did their opinions of her affect those translations? The show will include recitations of the following poems: Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Jane McIntosh Snyder from Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho (20th century) “On a Lady Named Beloved” inspired by fragment #31: Anne de Rohan (1617), translated from the French Fragment #31: John Hall (1652) Fragment #31: Joseph Addison (1735) Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Abrose Philips (1748) “Eleanore” inspired by Fragment #31: Lord Tennyson (1832) Fragment #31 & “Imitation of Sappho” inspired by Fragment #31: Mary Hewitt (1845) More info The Lesbian Historic Motif Project lives at: http://alpennia.com/lhmp You can follow the blog on my website (http://alpennia.com/blog) or subscribe to the RSS feed (http://alpennia.com/blog/feed/) The poetic texts are from the following publications: Addison, Joseph. 1735. The Works of Anacreon, Translated into English Verse, with Notes Explanatory and Poetical. To which are added the Odes, Fragments, and Epigrams of Sappho. London. Castle, Terry (ed). 2003. The Literature of Lesbianism: A Historical Anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-12510-0 Hall, John. 1652. Sappho’s On the Sublime. Snyder, Jane. 1997. Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho. New York: Columbia University Press. Wharton, Henry Thornton. 1887. Sappho: Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings, and a Literal Translation. London. This topic is discussed in one or more entries of the Lesbian Historic Motif Project here: http://alpennia.com/lhmp/lhmp-event-person/sappho If you have questions or comments about the LHMP or these podcasts, send them to: contact@alpennia.com A transcript of this podcast is available here. If you enjoy this podcast and others at The Lesbian Talk Show, please consider supporting the show through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLesbianTalkShow

Are you clinging on tightly for control of your life? You are not alone! We all know that life is uncontrollable, but can’t we do something? Listen in on how to control the uncontrollable moments of life. Here’s a hint...it has a whole lot to do with your attitude and gratitude ;) // Show Notes // “I’ve learned over and over that life happens on its own terms not mine.” Kate Walsh We cannot control the uncontrollable.No matter how tight we squeeze, we cannot control life’s unpredictability. Sometimes it’s out of our control. If you cannot accept what you cannot control, then slowly re-frame your mind. In these moment where we are utterly unable to control anything...we can control our perspective. We can control how we respond. Today, I encourage you today to choose to respond with gratitude. Your experience is connecting you to others in a way that you can truly understand and empathize with them more deeply. What an invaluable experience! If you can’t control anything, control your mind. Choose to be grateful because you know what? We are so, so, incredible blessed. "Our real blessings often appear to us in the shape of pains, losses and disappointments; but let us have patience and we soon shall see them in their proper figures.” - Joseph Addison

Here's a closer look at English writer Joseph Addison's quote, "If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius.”

Neste episódio Edward e Jeferson falam sobre a importância da leitura e como se beneficiar dela. Face ao “boom” tecnológico das últimas décadas, esse hábito acabou sendo substituído em um primeiro momento pela televisão, depois pelos computadores e videogames, e agora pelos smartphones. Porém, a leitura é uma fonte maravilhosa e inesgotável de conhecimento, além de ser extremamente importante para o desenvolvimento do intelecto. É o caminho mais curto para adquirir qualquer conhecimento. Faça o download e descubra dicas para aprimorar ou implantar este hábito em sua vida. Informação útil para todos! Procure compartilhar com seus amigos e principalmente se você acredita que este conteúdo pode ajudar alguém em específico. #vidanostrilhos Abaixo o link para os assuntos comentados: Links Site para controle de leitura / rede social sobre leitura: Recomendação do Jeferson: https://www.skoob.com.br/ Recomendação do Edward: https://www.goodreads.com/ Infográficos comentados pelo Edward sobre a leitura/educação: https://www.teachthought.com/education/a-brief-history-of-education/ http://www.dailyinfographic.com/students-through-the-ages-infographic http://blog.bookbaby.com/2017/07/reading-habits-around-world/ Frase da Semana A leitura é para o intelecto o que o exercício é para o corpo. Joseph Addison. Evento Passos de Lenda: https://www.sympla.com.br/passos-de-lenda__285202  

In our fast-paced and entertainment-saturated culture, it’s easy to let book-reading fall by the wayside. In fact, many studies show that after college, the average person only reads 3 more books for the rest of their life! And don’t be tempted to think that the reading of books is old-fashioned and no longer relevant. There is power in the written word. And whether you’re an entrepreneur, business person, or simply someone who wants to continue to grow, reading books is an effective way to continue your personal development.   “You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” — Charlie “Tremendous” Jones Click here to download or listen to this episode now. Tip of the Week Since developing Parkinson’s in 2011, I have been receiving deep-tissue massage therapy as part of my treatment. I started with once a month, then once a week, and these days I get 3 massages a week. Here’s what this has taught me: your body is the frame through which you see the world. If the frame is bent, twisted, or in pain… you will experience the world that way. Get over your hangups, and go get a massage from a reputable massage therapist. Try it at least once per week for a month or more and let me know the difference it makes in your life! Spiritual Foundations Pray Prayers of Proclamation. When you have a need, do you pray or do you plead? Do you begin your prayers with words like, “Please God, please! God, I beg You to have mercy!” Prayers that plead and beg imply that your heavenly Father is not willing to help you. Yet, He is far more gracious and willing to give to you than you are willing to ask, think or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20) He desires above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2) In fact, long before you have a need, God has already met that need. Long before you knew you needed a Savior, He sent His Son to be your Savior. This is your God! He is a good God. So when you beg Him for something, you are actually saying that He is reluctant to give and needs to be persuaded strongly before He will move. Yet, He is not like that. Jesus knew the heart of the Father. When He saw the woman bound with a spirit of infirmity, He did not pray, “Oh Father! She has been suffering for 18 long years! I beseech You, Father, have mercy on her. Please, please heal her!” No, when Jesus saw her, He immediately proclaimed, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity!” He spoke this way because He knew the heart of the Father. He knew that the Father wanted her delivered from her crippling condition. At the end of a church service, I don’t stand and pray, “Oh God, please bless Your people. Oh God, do keep them. Oh God, be ever so gracious to them!” Instead, I proclaim, “The Lord bless you. The Lord keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you!” Beloved, when you pray, proclaim your healing, protection and provision because your Father’s heart overflows with love for you. And when you declare it, He sanctions it. When you declare it, He establishes it! Feature Presentation “9 Reasons You Need a Book-Reading Plan“ Here are 9 reasons you need a book-reading plan: Reading helps keep you current. Books can help keep you current on business trends and strategies. You can either spend thousands of dollars flying around the country going to seminars and masterminds or spend a few dollars on a book! Consider reading Michael Hyatt’s book, Your Best Year Ever – A 5-Step Plan for Achieving Your Most Important Goals. Provides material for your own writing and podcasting. Reading books offers you fresh information, strategies for presenting that information, and great stories to share with your readers. Read Chris Ducker’s book, The Rise of the Youpreneur. Reading books exercises your brain. Joseph Addison wrote, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Believe me, in this competitive environment, you don’t want a “flabby” brain!  I challenge you to read a book like, Miracles by Eric Metaxas. I guarantee that book will give your brain a workout.   Expands your worldview. Let’s face it. Most of us live and work within a fairly small bubble of relationships. Our market is defined by what and who we know. Reading can broaden our perspective. Consider reading, Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W Chan Kim. Stimulates new ideas. Frequently, I’ll be reading a book and the content I’m reading launches me into a totally new idea. Reading does that! If you need some fresh ideas and new thinking for your business, read a book. Try reading, The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. Increases your vocabulary and conversational skills. Whether you realize it or not, when you’re reading, your mind assimilates new words and phrases. These new modes of expression become part of your vocabulary and find their way into your conversation without your conscious effort. Read Perry Marshall’s book, Evolution 2.0. Makes you a better writer. When you read a book that’s well written, your own writing begins to take on the qualities that you admire in others. Here’s a book that focuses on writing skills, but also features writing at its best: On Writing Well by William Zinsser. Corrects and/or corroborates your thinking. Reading what others think about a topic can either correct our misconceptions or confirm what we’ve held to be true. A best-selling classic that will either challenge or confirm your beliefs is Lee Strobel’s The Case for a Creator. Enriches your life. So far, we’ve been talking primarily about growing our intellect and our business. But reading for pleasure offers many benefits as well. Reading a book before bedtime is a great way to wind down and relax. Recreational reading opens a whole world of history, intrigue, humor, adventure, and fantasy. Reading kicks the borders off your imagination. Patrick Rothfuss’s epic novel, The Name of the Wind, is sure to provide you with an enriching experience. Creating A Reading Plan Commit to read a book a month. Create a list of books that you want to read. Read on an e-device or paper. (Consider the option of highlighting and scribbling notes in the margins of a printed book.) Find a reading buddy. Listen to audiobooks. (The retention rate for listening to a book drops significantly over reading it.) Resources Mentioned In This Episode Permission to Prosper is your key to unlock the vaults of wealth, wellness, and wisdom that will prosper you and everyone around you. Join us at this life-changing event, where we will help you construct your own prosperity blueprint… remove the inner conflicts about money, wealth, and possessions… and learn from our world-famous speakers, including Jeff Goins, and more surprise guests to be announced soon. VIP seating and red carpet perks are also available, including personal time with Ray. To get the details, and to get your ticket now at the lowest possible price, go to permissiontoprosper.com   Subscribe to the show through Apple Podcasts and give us a rating and review. Make sure you put your real name and website in the text of the review itself. We will mention you on this show. Get The Transcript Right-Click and “Save As” to Get the PDF Transcript.  

Mimi and Sean talk about Tesseract (1988) by the mysterious Joseph Addison. Was he only one man? We may never know.

Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián. Joseph Addison. Hoy te traigo la parábola zen que te puede ayudar a cambiar la manera en cómo afrontas la vida. Quédate, que el café está listo y servido. Salud! Esto es un Programa de Radio bajo demanda (o popularmente llamado podcast), y lo puedes escuchar donde quieras, como quieras y cuando quieras, solo tienes que suscribirte y así no te pierdes de cada nuevo episodio. Grabamos un nuevo episodio de Lunes a Viernes desde que canta el gallo, desde Santo Domingo, República Dominicana y para todo el mundo. Definitivamente, este es el café que más se consume en el mundo cada día. Hoy es lunes 07 de agosto del año 2017, si todavía no tienes tu tacita de café, tu bombilla con tu mate o tu taza de chocolate, ve corriendo por ella porque vamos a comenzar este episodio con un contenido que estoy seguro te gustará mucho. En este episodio escucharemos la frase con cafeína, ese pensamiento o reflexión que te ayudará a seguir creciendo y ser cada día mejor persona; el tema central de este episodio y el reto del día. _ Te invito a formar parte de nuestro CLUB KAIZEN. En el mismo encontrarás Cursos de desarrollo personal y profesional, MasterClass , Libros digitales, Recursos Descargables, Acompañamiento personalizado, y una comunidad de personas que tienen todas una misma actitud: La de ser exitosos. Cada día una nueva clase, cada semana nuevos recursos, cada mes nuevos eventos... No pierdas esta oportunidad, ve directamente a clubkaizen.org y suscríbete. _ No puedes perderte todo el contenido de este episodio y vamos a iniciar nuestro itinerario en este preciso momento. Dale play al reproductor! _ [bctt tweet="La gema no puede ser pulida sin fricción, ni el hombre perfeccionado sin pruebas. Proverbio chino. #fraseconcafeina" username="robsasuke"] _ Transcripción completa de este episodio:  [not_logged_in] Este contenido está únicamente disponible para los suscriptores de nuestro CLUB KAIZEN. Puedes [wps_login] identificarte AQUÍ [/wps_login] o puedes suscribirte al Club -> SUSCRÍBETE AQUÍ. [/not_logged_in] [restrict userlevel="subscriber"]  DESCARGA LA TRANSCRIPCIÓN  Puedes leer todo el episodio, de principio a fin. [/restrict]  DESCARGA EL AUDIO EN MP3  Escucha el Podcast desde cualquier dispositivo.  ¡Gracias por Escucharnos! Comparte lo que piensas: Deja un comentario al final de esta sección. Envía tus dudas o comentarios en el formulario de contacto que tienes en tu lateral derecho. Comparte este Episodio en Twitter, Facebook, o Linkedin. Para ayudar a crecer este programa: Deja una reseña y una valoración en iTunes (Apple Podcast). Tus valoraciones realmente nos ayudan mucho a alcanzar a otras personas. Suscríbete en iTunes o en iVoox.

Si quieres triunfar en la vida, haz de la perseverancia tu amigo del alma, de la experiencia tu sabio consejero, de la advertencia tu hermano mayor y de la esperanza tu genio guardián. Joseph Addison. Hoy te traigo la parábola zen que te puede ayudar a cambiar la manera en cómo afrontas la vida. Quédate, que el café está listo y servido. Salud! Esto es un Programa de Radio bajo demanda (o popularmente llamado podcast), y lo puedes escuchar donde quieras, como quieras y cuando quieras, solo tienes que suscribirte y así no te pierdes de cada nuevo episodio. Grabamos un nuevo episodio de Lunes a Viernes desde que canta el gallo, desde Santo Domingo, República Dominicana y para todo el mundo. Definitivamente, este es el café que más se consume en el mundo cada día. Hoy es lunes 07 de agosto del año 2017, si todavía no tienes tu tacita de café, tu bombilla con tu mate o tu taza de chocolate, ve corriendo por ella porque vamos a comenzar este episodio con un contenido que estoy seguro te gustará mucho. En este episodio escucharemos la frase con cafeína, ese pensamiento o reflexión que te ayudará a seguir creciendo y ser cada día mejor persona; el tema central de este episodio y el reto del día. _ Te invito a formar parte de nuestro CLUB KAIZEN. En el mismo encontrarás Cursos de desarrollo personal y profesional, MasterClass , Libros digitales, Recursos Descargables, Acompañamiento personalizado, y una comunidad de personas que tienen todas una misma actitud: La de ser exitosos. Cada día una nueva clase, cada semana nuevos recursos, cada mes nuevos eventos... No pierdas esta oportunidad, ve directamente a clubkaizen.org y suscríbete. _ No puedes perderte todo el contenido de este episodio y vamos a iniciar nuestro itinerario en este preciso momento. Dale play al reproductor! _ [bctt tweet="La gema no puede ser pulida sin fricción, ni el hombre perfeccionado sin pruebas. Proverbio chino. #fraseconcafeina" username="robsasuke"] _ Transcripción completa de este episodio:  [not_logged_in] Este contenido está únicamente disponible para los suscriptores de nuestro CLUB KAIZEN. Puedes [wps_login] identificarte AQUÍ [/wps_login] o puedes suscribirte al Club -> SUSCRÍBETE AQUÍ. [/not_logged_in] [restrict userlevel="subscriber"]  DESCARGA LA TRANSCRIPCIÓN  Puedes leer todo el episodio, de principio a fin. [/restrict]  DESCARGA EL AUDIO EN MP3  Escucha el Podcast desde cualquier dispositivo.  ¡Gracias por Escucharnos! Comparte lo que piensas: Deja un comentario al final de esta sección. Envía tus dudas o comentarios en el formulario de contacto que tienes en tu lateral derecho. Comparte este Episodio en Twitter, Facebook, o Linkedin. Para ayudar a crecer este programa: Deja una reseña y una valoración en iTunes (Apple Podcast). Tus valoraciones realmente nos ayudan mucho a alcanzar a otras personas. Suscríbete en iTunes o en iVoox.

The Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast  Episode 11 - Sappho: The Translations  In this show we’ll look at the legacy of Sappho from the Middle Ages up through the 19th century: the various images people had of her, how people used her as a symbol, the way those images affected how her poetry was translated into everyday languages, and how poets used her themes and imagery in their own work.  In this episode we talk about  How much poetry did Sappho write, and how much survives? Why was it lost, and why were the bits we have preserved?  What was the changing image of Sappho from the middle ages through the 19th century? How did people reconcile their admiration for Sappho’s poetry and their disapproval of homosexuality?  Who translated Sappho’s works and how did their opinions of her affect those translations?  The show will include recitations of the following poems:  Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Jane McIntosh Snyder from Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho (20th century)  “On a Lady Named Beloved” inspired by fragment #31: Anne de Rohan (1617), translated from the French  Fragment #31: John Hall (1652)  Fragment #31: Joseph Addison (1735)  Ode to Aphrodite & Fragment #31: Abrose Philips (1748)  “Eleanore” inspired by Fragment #31: Lord Tennyson (1832)  Fragment #31 & “Imitation of Sappho” inspired by Fragment #31: Mary Hewitt (1845)    More info  The Lesbian Historic Motif Project lives here The poetic texts are from the following publications: Addison, Joseph. 1735. The Works of Anacreon, Translated into English Verse, with Notes Explanatory and Poetical. To which are added the Odes, Fragments, and Epigrams of Sappho. London.  Castle, Terry (ed). 2003. The Literature of Lesbianism: A Historical Anthology from Ariosto to Stonewall. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-12510-0  Hall, John. 1652. Sappho’s On the Sublime.  Snyder, Jane. 1997. Lesbian Desire in the Lyrics of Sappho. New York: Columbia University Press.  Wharton, Henry Thornton. 1887. Sappho: Memoir, Text, Selected Renderings, and a Literal  Translation. London.  This topic is discussed in one or more entries of the Lesbian Historic Motif Project here   If you have questions or comments about the LHMP or these podcasts, send them to me via email 

Wisdom-Trek / Creating a LegacyWelcome to Day 507 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomSuccess in Life – Wisdom UnpluggedThank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 507 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today's trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let's jump right in with today's nugget. Today's quote comes from Joseph Addison, who says, “If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.” I believe all of us desire to be successful, as I don't know of anyone who desires to be a failure. If this premise is true, then the quote for today gives us a good recipe for success. First, we need to have an unwavering persistence. Tenacity needs to become your closest friend so that you will continue on, even when everything seems to be against you. Second, the experiences that you have gained from past failures need to give you the wise counsel that you need so that you do not repeat the same mistakes. Third, with that experience will bring a measure of caution so that your decisions will be much wiser as if your older brother were giving you additional insight. Fourth and most of all, you need to embrace an unwavering hope to continue on, even when life looks bleak because it is the genius that fuels your desire to be a success in all of life. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church of Rome in Chapter 5 verses 3 through 5, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” That's a wrap for today's Wisdom Unplugged. If you would like access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of https://wisdom-trek.com (Wisdom-Trek.com). As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most importantly your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day. As we take this trek of life together, let us always: Live Abundantly (Fully) Love Unconditionally Listen Intentionally Learn Continuously Lend to others Generously Lead with Integrity Leave a Living Legacy Each Day This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!

The famous playwright and politician Joseph Addison once said, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” So on this week’s episode we focus on the power of the written word. Josh and Shelby talk about the power of a good book with fellow SUCCESS team member Ross Crago. Writer Tony Rehagan reads his article from SUCCESS called Live Like Carnegie – A Month of Winning Friends and Influencing People. Plus we highlight some of the best and most popular personal development books out there.  

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Joseph Addison

Hugh Blair   Welcome to MR. Rebroadcast note     Today in honor of Scotland voting to stick with the rest of the United Kingdom, we’re going to talk about Hugh Blair. That’s right-- a Scottish rhetorician to honor the Scottish referendum. Hugh Blair was a bit of a rising star. He was a Presbyterian clergyman, but the top of the top of Scottish clergymen, eventually getting the High Church of St. Giles: the highest honor for the men of the cloth in Scotland. Once you’ve peaked out in divinity, what do you do? Well, if you’re Hugh Blair, you begin teaching about literature and writing. Originally, he taught pro bono, as a way to stave off the boredom of dominating Presbyterian clergy, but his classes became increasingly popular and the king gave him the Regius Chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres.   Which King? King George the III, the same one who lost the Colonies. So when you think about Hugh Blair, put him in context with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.   So King George lost a hemisphere and gained a rhetoric professor, and what a rhetoric professor he gained. Think of the title. Chair of Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. Rhetoric, as listeners of this podcast, you know, but what’s Belles Lettres? Belles Lettres means beautiful or fine writing, so all of literature—poetry, drama, fiction. These were considered similar enough to rhetoric so that one chair might have both responsibilities. Blair’s classes were so popular that anyone who was lucky enough to sit in on them could take notes and then redistribute or sell them to others. But if you’ve ever gotten notes from someone in class, then you know that there can be a big different between what the teacher said and what got written down. This bothered Hugh Blair, so he decided to set his lectures down on paper and compile them into a book. This book was given the incredibly clever title Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres. The lectures are not particularly novel: Blair draws a lot on Quintilian, whom he loved, as well as contemporary theorists about writing, like the newspaperman Joseph Addison. A lot of what Blair sounds really familiar to us, for reasons I’ll discuss in a minute.     Blair states that “to be truly eloquent, is to speak to the purpose” and “whatever […] the subject be, there is room for eloquence” (234). That means that you don’t have to wait for a noble subject to speak noble words. It’s more important, Blair suggests, that you pay attention to why you are speaking, to the rhetorical situation and then adapt what you say to fit the situation. It’s also important to be sincere: “Nature teaches every man to be eloquent, when he is much in earnest” (235). Language should be simple (naïve) in construction, seemingly natural, avoiding ornament and unaffected (184). This straightforward style is often what Anglo Americans expect when reading everything from newspapers to academic reports.Blair thought that national languages were best for expressing ideas. These means that instead of dropping in tons of Latin or French, you should use good old English, and instead of using the English of Shakespeare or Milton, you should use contemporary English. In short, language should be current and national He defines purity not as referring back to some long-gone golden age, but purity is “use of such words […] as belong to idiom of the language which we speak” (33) propriety depends on relation between the word and “express[ing] the idea which he intends” and “express[ed] fully” (34). So eloquence depends on language that is current and national, natural and sincere.   Still, style, according to Blair, “is a field that admits of great latitude [..] Room must be left here for genius” (190). So there’s room for individuality within the boundaries of “good style.” Individuality matters an awful lot in delivery, too: “Let your manner, whatever it is, be your own; neither imitated from another, nor assumed upon some imaginary model, which is unnatural to you” (336).   Like many of his time, Blair believed that Invention is beyond the scope of rhetoric—“beyond the power of art to give any real assistance” and “to manage these reason with the most advantage […] is all that rhetoric can pretend to” (316). So the first step for, in Blair’s example, a preacher, is to do research and the first step of research isn’t to go imitate someone else’s ideas but to actually start with “pondering the subject in his own thoughts” (291). Blair also made a distinction between conviction of the brain and persuasion of the will (235). So if I get you to agree that smoking is bad and unhealthily, I can convince you through charts and statistics to the point where you admit smoking is bad, but unless you persuade you in your will to take the steps necessary, you might continue to light up. Convincing gets you to know while persuasion gets you to do. This is, as you might imagine, an important distinction for a preacher.     In sum, Blair’s over all argument was that “True eloquence is the art of placing truth in the most advantageous light for conviction and persuasion” (281). None of this sounds revolutionary, does it? Partially this is because Blair pretty much just updated classical sources for contemporary genres of writing, but this is also because Blair’s text was hugely successful. The Lectures on Rhetoric were the most reproduced, imitated and distributed text of its era, and even into the next century…and the next. But it wouldn’t be until the Victorian age that other theorists like Whatley would challenge Blair’s dominance in rhetoric in general and preacher-training in specific. Blair’s Lectures went through over a 130 editions in the next century and its ideas filtered down through textbooks for college students, high school students, even into elementary school readers!. Sound like the upperclass and you’ll be able to smoothly move into the upper class. All that stuff about current & national language? Turns out that there’s a “correct” type of current and national language.   They were especially influential in America, where Hugh Blair’s texts were seen as a way that you could rise above your station. So around the same time that America gained its independence from England, Blair was writing his rhetoric that would encourage Americans to unite in a “current and national” language. Even though Scotland voted to remain with the rest of the United Kingdom, Blair helped them, too, to recognize the potential of their own current language.   If you want to rise above your station, send us an email. We might not be able to help you but we could take a request for an episode. Email me at mererhetoricpodcast@gmail.com and I’ll do my darnest. Until next time

GHES5 Season 02 Episode 02: Reading is Unbelievable! Ms. Altman, Mr. Smith, and Mr. White discuss some of their favorite authors for adults and students as reading takes center stage for this 5th Grade Gold Hill Elementary School Podcast! Also, stay up to date with the weekly happenings! “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.”~Joseph Addison

Explores the aesthetics and impact of war poetry in the early eighteenth century, focussing on Joseph Addison's poem, The Campaign. Blood, guts and gore all feature heavily in eighteenth century war poems. This podcast explores the popularity of the early eighteenth-century battle poem.

SUMMARYWhy do some puns strike us as clever, while others are plain old groaners? Martha and Grant puzzle over this question. Also, the difference between baggage and luggage, a royal word quiz, the "egg" in egg on, what to call someone who doesn't eat fish or seafood, Hawaiian riddles, and why we say "You bet your sweet bippy!" FULL DETAILSWhen President Barack Obama had the Oval Office redecorated in soft browns and beige, The New York Times headline read: “The Audacity of Taupe.” The hosts discuss how puns work, and what makes them clever. Martha recommends John Pollack's new book, The Pun Also Rises: How the Humble Pun Revolutionized Language, Changed History, and Made Wordplay More than Some Antics.http://www.thepunalsorises.com/What do you call someone who doesn't eat fish? A caller wants to know, but not because of dietary requirements. He's a string bass player who plays in an ensemble that's tired of being asked to perform Schubert's famous composition, the Trout Quintet.http://www.classicalnotes.net/classics/trout.htmlMartha and Grant tells him he has several options. Among them: non-pescatarian, anti-marinovore, anichthyophagist--and, of course, non-seafood eater.What's the difference between baggage and luggage? After all, it's not as if anyone confesses to having emotional luggage. The hosts conclude that usually the word “luggage” specifies the container, while “baggage” is more likely to refer to that which is lugged inside the container. Martha shares a quotation from Joseph Addison, no fan of puns: “If we must lash one another, let it be with the manly strokes of wit and satire: for I am of the old philosopher's opinion, that, if I must suffer from one or the other, I would rather it should be from the paw of a lion than from the hoof of an ass.”Quiz Guy Greg Pliska has a royal quiz in honor of the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William. He celebrates the wedding of the King and Queen with clues to answers that contain the letters "K" and "Q" next to each other. The answer to "The band that recorded 'Take Five,'" for example, is the "Dave BrubecK Quartet."Where'd we get a word like skyscraper? Martha explains the image literally refers to scraping the sky, but first applied to the topmost sail on a ship, and later to tall horses, and high fly balls in baseball. There are similar ideas in other languages, as in the Spanish word "rascacielos" and French "gratte-ciel." In German, the word is picturesque as well. It's “Wolkenkratzer,” which literally means "cloud-scratcher."Grant shares some fill-in-the-blank puzzles from a listener. For example, "There's one w______ on a u________" and "There are 5 d________ in a z_________ c__________."A listener remembers her mother used to say, "Your Monday is longer than your Tuesday." This phrase offered a subtle way to notify someone that her slip was showing. Other expressions convey that warning as well, including "Monday comes before Sunday" and "Saturday is longer than Sunday." Also, if someone whispers "Mrs. White is out of jail," it's time to check to see if your slip is showing. Ditto if you're told you have "a Ph.D.," but you've never earned that degree. In this case "Ph.D" stands for "Petticoat Hanging Down."Martha's been reading the Dictionary of Smoky Mountain English again, and stumbled across a synonym for "fried chicken." It's preacher meat.http://www.cas.sc.edu/engl/dictionary/"The Die is Cast" is the title of an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. A listener and his wife disagree about what kind of "die" is meant here. It's not a reference to metallurgy -- it's a quotation attributed to Julius Caesar. When he crossed the Rubicon to lead a campaign against his enemies, he supposedly declared, "Alea jacta est." The word "alea," which refers to one piece of a set of dice, is an ancestor of the modern English word "aleatory," which means "by chance." What happens when a clock gets hungry? It goes back four seconds. Martha talks about how puns weren't always considered "bad." Cicero praised them as the wittiest kind of saying, and Shakespeare made plenty of them, for both serious and comic effect. In the early 18th century, though, things changed. Pamphlets with titles like "God's Revenge Against Punning" began appearing, and the great lexicographer Samuel Johnson denounced them as "the last refuge of the witless." Martha and Grant discuss why some puns work and others don't. Martha recommends John Pollack's observation in The Pun Also Rises describing how "for a split second, puns manage to hold open the elevator doors of language and meaning as the brain toggles furiously between competing semantic destinations, before finally deciding which is the best answer, or deciding to live with both."Where'd we get the expression You bet your sweet bippy!? It's from Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, a zany television show from the late 1960s. The word "bippy," by the way, means "butt." The phrase "You bet your sweet bippy" is a linguistic descendant of earlier versions that go back to at least the 1880s, when phrases like "You bet your sweet life" were commonly used. http://www.museum.tv/eotvsection.php?entrycode=rowanandmarThe show also popularized such phrases as "Sock it to me!" and "Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls."http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGvzmOoh3YWhy is Cairo, Ill., pronounced "KAY-roh"? Why do Midwesterners pronounce Versailles as "Ver-SALES" and the New Madrid Fault as "New MAD-rid"? Grant explains that these names are far removed from their earlier incarnations and function as a sort of shibboleth among the locals.Martha springs another pun on Grant: Knock-knock. Who's there? Tarzan. Tarzan who? “Tarzan Stripes Forever.”Why do we speak of trying to egg on a person, meaning to urge them to do something? Martha explains that the "egg" in this case has nothing to do with chickens. This kind of "egg" is derives from an old root that means to "urge on with a sharp object." It's a linguistic relative of the word "edge."Grant wraps up with some Hawaiian riddles from the book Riddling Tales From Around the World, by Marjorie Dundas, including this one:My twin was with me from the day I crawledWith me till the day I diei cannot escape himyet when storms come, he deserts mehttp://books.google.com/books?id=qnWz6zrE8RUC&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=%22My+twin+with+me+from+the+day+I+crawled%22&source=bl&ots=dTLR_OAxIm&sig=vvHKYEeCGLgl2SqLqqqpcOn8d_A&hl=en&ei=drrZTcbZEoeusAP9wtWFDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=%22My%20twin%20with%20me%20from%20the%20day%20I%20crawled%22&f=false--A Way with Words is funded by its listeners: http://waywordradio.org/donateGet your language question answered on the air! Call or write with your questions at any time:Email: words@waywordradio.orgPhone: United States and Canada toll-free (877) WAY-WORD/(877) 929-9673London +44 20 7193 2113Mexico City +52 55 8421 9771Donate: http://waywordradio.org/donateSite: http://waywordradio.org/Podcast: http://waywordradio.org/podcast/Forums: http://waywordradio.org/discussion/Newsletter: http://waywordradio.org/newsletter/Twitter: http://twitter.com/wayword/Skype: skype://waywordradio Copyright 2011, Wayword LLC.

Wed, Apr 27 2005 Mister Ron's Basement #23 A funny piece on Opera Lions by Joseph Addison from around 1690, and some more piano rolls. Time: approx twelve minutes The Mister Ron's Basement Full Catalog can be found at: http://ronevry.com/Mister_Rons_Full_Catalog.html