Philosophical Exercises

In October 2025, I tried to commit philosophy handbooks to memory. Not academic handbooks, but collections of wise sayings produced by ancient philosophical schools so that students may memorize them. My curiosity got captured by the Sermon on the Mount (sayings spoken by Jesus, found in the Gospel of Matthew) because the scholar George B. Branch-Trevathan claimed that it counted as one of those philosophical handy books. I agree! Attempting to learn it by heart was an exercise in understanding faith and justice.           Claude Lorrain (1600 - 1682) The Sermon on the Mount (Of all paintings of the Sermon on the Mount , I picked this one because I find that it makes the scenery and sky both relatable and awe-inducing. It usually isn’t very relatable.) Keeping philosophy at hand In the conclusion of my last post , I stressed the importance of “putting pen to paper” when you read a philosophical text that seeks to improve your life. The pen in...