 |
| Creative Commons photo credit |
As we read in Ecclesiastes:
"What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun." (1:9, NIV)
As I was reading for class recently, I came across another quotation of the same nature that I would like to add to Silouan's list, this one from Isocrates:
"Yes, and you have brought it about that the most promising of our young men are wasting their youth in drinking bouts, in parties, in soft living and childish folly to the neglect of all efforts to improve themselves; while those of grosser nature are engaging from morning until night in extremes of dissipation which in former days an honest slave would have despised. You see some of them chilling their wine at the "Nine-fountains"; others, drinking in taverns; others, tossing dice in gambling dens; and many, hanging about the training schools of the flute girls." -Isocrates, from the Antidosis. Roughly 340 BC
This most definitely is not written in defense of the laziness and apathy that controls many kids that would try to style themselves as "men." It just goes to show that contrary to what our parents and elders may say, this is not a new phenomenon...
Your Turn: Please feel free to share your thoughts on the topic!
I find it really interesting to read Silouan's [ancient] quotations from different authors and philosophers. It is interesting to examine the different perspectives that appear both then and now.
First, the idea that a man is someone who thinks deeply, respects his elders, shows honor and reverence, and is cautious to act.
While on the other hand - the perspective of the youth as it transfers from one generation to the next - the idea that a man is someone who attracts many girls, is a smooth talker, knows how to have a good time, and pursues happiness.
I find it interesting to examine this concept, the concept of 'manhood', as seen in the quotations.
As your highlighting, the idea that these perspectives remain significantly rigid throughout the wave of every generation is also very interesting to think about too.
So often I hear that the youth of today are far far more radical than the youth talked about by Isocrates - so much so that we begin to rate them as beyond compare - but is that really the case? How do we measure this mysterious 'radicalism' from one generation to the next....
I recall a story of a young George Muller (age 14) playing cards and drinking with his buddies the night his mother lay dying at home. In my opinion one of the most profound men ever to come to serve the Lord. This just shows the potential of a man when he gives himself to the will of his master.
Here's the link on him.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller
That's the beauty of the cross!