Provincial letters. Transl. To which is added, A view of the history of the Jesuits, and the late bull for the revival of the order in Europe - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1816 Excerpt: ...I say, these and similar decisions are made public, it is impossible not to be surprised into a fit of laughter, because nothing produces it sooner than a wonderful disproportion between what we expected and what we behold. And how was it possible to treat the great majority of these subjects otherwise, since, as Tertullian remarks, "to treat them seriously would be to authorize them." What! is it necessary to employ the authority of Scripture and of tradition, to show that to stab an enemy behind his back and in ambush is treachery? And that to give money as a motive to induce the resignation of a benefice is simony? These are contemptible practices in themselves, which deserve to be jeered at and ridiculed. In short, what this ancient writer says, that "nothing is more worthy of laughter than vanity," and the rest of the same passage, applies here with such just and convincing force, that one cannot hesitate in deciding whether folly may be ridiculed without violating decorum. Allow me to say, Fathers, that irony may be resorted to without any breach of charity, though this is one of the sins you charge upon me: for "charity obliges us sometimes to ridicule the errors of men that they may be induced to laugh at them themselves." As St. Augustin observes, H&c tu misericorditer irride, ut cis ridenda ac fugienda commendes. And the same charity sometimes requires us to retort with indignation, as we are taught by Gregory Naziangen, " the spirit of charity and meekness has its seasons of emotions and anger." In fact, to quote from St. Augustin, "Who will venture to affirm that truth ought to remain unarmed against falsehood, and that our adversaries may be allowed to terrify the faithful by their threatening wo...
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About the Author
Mathematicien ou philosophe? Theologien ou physicien? Pascal etait tout cela a la fois, ce qui en fait un des esprits les plus brillants de son temps. Figure intellectuelle majeure du XVIIe siecle, Pascal demeure aujourd hui une reference en matiere de reflexion sur Dieu, sur l infini, sur l inconnu. Ses recherches ont contribue a faire avancer les sciences dures autant que ses fameuses "Pensees" ont amene ses contemporains a s interroger sur leur rapport au spirituel.
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