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The purpose of the OCHF blog is to introduce some of the holdings of our fine library to the public. From time to time a photo of one of our historic holdings will be posted along with the story of its significance. In learning about the history of these bibles, books and manuscripts, we learn and preserve the history of the Christian Church. We hope that you will enjoy this journey of learning and exploration. I am Dr. Byron Perrine, editor, and I bid you welcome to the OCHF blog site.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

"S" is for Ship of Fools


     A virtuous (disciplined) life is a happy life.  To allow one's life to be governed by vice is foolishness.  Both classical philosophy and biblical wisdom teach this, and the notion was for centuries the bedrock of Western civilization. 
     The pre-Reformation book, The Ship of Fools, satirized people who do not equate virtue with happiness, people whose life is governed by vice.  The book was a runaway best seller. 
     I can't imagine such a book being being widely accepted today.  In contrast to both classical moral philosophy and biblical wisdom (the marriage of these concepts once having been understood to be "common sense"), most people today believe that right and wrong are "relative" to ones personal circumstances (and whim) rather than a matter of discernable natural law.  In short, rather than ridiculing foolishness, the culture of today embraces it.  The concept of natural law and the relationship between natural law, virtue and happiness is lost to the vast majority of people.  Sail on Ship of Fools!
     Below, a leaf from a 1520 printing of Sebastian Brant's Ship of Fools (click image for larger view).
    

"Of foolish mockers, let wise men them eschew.
For no correction can bring them to virtue."
 
Leaf from OCHF Library archives.
 

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1 comment:

  1. UnknownJuly 18, 2013 at 6:18 AM

    I often feel we are on a ship of fools in this country. They pass laws trying to enact laws that are already in the books. They spend money like it was water. Justice is rarely served properly. I only hope that soon someone will take over the helm before we are shipwrecked!

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