Latin, the Language of the Great Conversation

The Roman philosopher Boethius once wrote, “To understand the lofty Thunderer’s laws with true insight and objectivity, lift your eyes to the highest rooftop of the heavens.”  But of course, he wrote it in Latin, not English.

His work, On the Consolation of Philosophy, was written in 523 A.D., while he was imprisoned and awaiting execution for treason—it is one of the most significant contributions of what some call prison literature.

Centuries after Boethius, John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress from prison as an allegory of the Christian life.  Centuries after him, Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his Letter from Birmingham Jail, exploring what responsibility citizens have in the face of injustice.  And centuries before Boethius, Paul wrote his letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon from prison to encourage and admonish the churches in their faith.

One of the reasons to study Latin is that it is the language of many great thinkers on the big questions of life.  Remember when we talked about literature and how over the centuries, it is really just a great conversation across the ages?

Learning Latin lets you in on some of the most significant contributions to that great conversation.  Ever wonder how a good God can govern the universe with all the evil that is present?  Ever think about how happiness is possible, even when your own life’s fortunes seem to turn for the worst?  So did Boethius.  And he—along with many others who read, thought and wrote in Latin—have something to say to you about it, even today. 

Have a wonderful day.

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