This book is a reevaluation and a reinterpretation of Pierre Charron (1541-1603)--in particular La Sagesse--and of the impact of his writings. Jean Daniel Charron sheds new light upon this great figure in French literature, and argues that he should be considered more important and original than previously thought.
In 1601, a respected cleric in rural France lit a fire, one which set off alarms across Europe, and which continues to burn four hundred years later. A sought-after speaker and author of theological and apologetic books, Pierre Charron (1541-1603) was not previously known as an arsonist. His life was relatively quiet and comfortable, enjoying a teaching post in the city of Condom. But when he published a book on ethics, "On Wisdom", containing phrases like: "All religions have his in common, that they're strange & horrible to common sense; ...we are circumcised, baptized, Jews, Muslims, Christians, before we know that we're humans: our religion is not our choice"; "...the immortality of the soul is the most universally, religiously, laudably accepted belief on earth, [and] the most weakly proved & established"; "...man believes that the heavens, the stars, the whole great celestial movement & oscillation of the world, is made only for his benefit...[he] is quite ridiculous"; "man mistakenly & vainly glorifies himself so far above animals"; "...indeed, what is the ultimate & supreme happiness if not an assured & perpetual state of pleasure?"It made no difference that these expressions were carefully qualified and explained: they had been published, with royal approval, by a priest in good standing. His book was loudly criticized and opposed. Charron replied that, if "had been received & accepted by the masses, it would have fallen short of its ambitions"! He replied to his critics in this "Small Treatise on Wisdom", as an alternative to the larger and more difficult work. This book was initially published posthumously; he died of a stroke just as his fame was beginning to spread.Although he is frequently ignored or dismissed, Charron was once quite well known in European intellectual circles, where he was considered equal or even superior to his friend Montaigne. His writings influenced Gassendi, Descartes, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Pascal, Bayle, and many others. Charron is a writer of many appreciable facets: the liberal and skeptical theologian, the bold and pioneering forefather of the Enlightenment, and quite simply as a challenging, complex, original thinker. He deserves a second look, perhaps a second life.
In this study Natasha Constantinidou considers the views articulated by the scholars Pierre Charron (1541-1603), Justus Lipsius (1547-1606), Paolo Sarpi (1552-1623) and King James VI and I (1566-1625), in response to the religious ruptures of their time. Though rarely juxtaposed, all four authors were deeply affected by the religious divisions. In their works, they denounced religious zeal, focusing on non-dogmatic piety. Drawing on classical tradition and church history, they set out to offer consolation to the people of a war-torn continent and to discuss means of reconciliation. Their responses sought to define the role of religion in public and private. They emphasised the need for lay control of religious affairs as the only way of ensuring peace, whilst circumscribing belief and its practice to the private realm.
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"Shadows on the Rock" is a historical novel written by the American author Willa Cather. The book was published in 1931 and is set in the 17th century in colonial New France, specifically in Quebec City. The novel focuses on the lives of the early French settlers and the challenges they faced while establishing a life in the rugged wilderness of North America. The central character is Cécile Auclair, a young girl who, with her father, makes the difficult journey from France to Quebec to join her mother. The novel provides a vivid portrayal of daily life, relationships, and the interactions between the French settlers and the indigenous people of the region. "Shadows on the Rock" is known for its rich historical detail and evocative descriptions of the landscape and characters. Willa Cather's storytelling captures the enduring spirit and resilience of the early settlers in North America. The novel is celebrated for its historical accuracy and its exploration of the human experience in a challenging and often harsh environment.
