I just picked this title up:

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Conscience may lash us, but it cannot replenish a languishing life. Conscience may be God's word and minister to you, telling you of your faults and your follies and your destitution. It may point out, but it will never supply you. Christ must give you new life. Hart has well expressed it: "He to the feeble and the faint, His mighty aid makes known; and when their languid life is spent, supplies it with His own." - J. K. Popham

For a moment I thought this was another self-help/pop psychology book mining 'ancient wisdom', but this actually looks like an interesting introductory text on Stoic ethics.

But be sure to check out this title (IMO, the best readily available introduction to Stoicism):

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Nathan Tyler
Reformed Baptist
University of Toronto (Student: Hons. B.A. in Philosophy)
Ontario, Canada

1689'er

http://nathantyler.wordpress.com

Ah JM, this book is great! I was meaning to read through this book again and take notes and compare the Stoic 'psychological techniques'(authors word) with some of the things that the Puritans used to do(i.e. Edwards resolution to reflect on the damned in hell every time he suffers pain). I remember thinking that there was a lot of similarity and good tips for living, that were consistent with a Christian world view, in the section about Stoic psychology.

I also want to re-read the introduction and copy down what the author says about religious believers and Enlightened Hedonism...Ouch!


Very enjoyable read. It's amazing how the way an author approaches a subject means so much more than the subject itself being talked about. I picked up a book about stoicism after reading the Tom Wolfe novel A Man in Full(has some very interesting stuff regarding stoicism in that novel) and I was very dissappointed. But then I saw this book and decided to get it, and I'm so glad now that I did.

I look forward to reading some of the original stoic writings someday, so thanks for the suggestion, Nathan.

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Andrew C.
IFB
LBCF 1689