Website owner: James Miller
Some philosophers have advocated a philosophy of self- renunciation that goes to the extent of renouncing all pleasure. Maggie, in "The Mill on the Floss", after reading Thomas a Kempis, took up such a self-abusing philosophy. What are my attitudes in regard to the topic of pleasure? I have nothing against legitimate, innocent pleasure. There are many wholesome pleasures in this world and I would simply enjoy them and be grateful to God for them. I would, of course, be against immoral or bad pleasures. But to enjoy pleasures that may present themselves to us as we make our way through life is one thing; to make the pursuit of pleasure the object of life is another. There is only one proper object for life: love of God and servitude to God as a consequence of that love. And what that really means is right living, the pursuit of Virtue, the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and understanding. If in the pursuit of God, Right, Virtue and Spiritual Understanding we encounter occasional innocent pleasures that is good. But in actual practice it is true that the way of God and Right is often a Way of Duty that may not seem to have much pleasure in it (it may not seem to have much fun or enjoyment in it, although in fact it is a way of great satisfaction and pleasure). To follow God's way is to do what we know we should do even though it may be a hard way and appear devoid of pleasure. And because of this the moral, upright man is often viewed as a person leading a dull, drab, pleasureless life. He lives by conscience, does as conscience requires, and is indeed morally prohibited from many kinds of pleasure. Most people don't have a real love of God, a real allegiance to God, and thus don't have many principles to constrain and guide them. Consequently their actions are determined mainly by considerations of pleasure and self-gain rather than conscience. May 1992
Jesus Christ and His Teachings
Way of enlightenment, wisdom, and understanding
America, a corrupt, depraved, shameless country
On integrity and the lack of it
The test of a person's Christianity is what he is
Ninety five percent of the problems that most people have come from personal foolishness
Liberalism, socialism and the modern welfare state
The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life