No guns = A rude, crude society

"The society of the late 20th century America is perhaps the first in human history where most grown men do not routinely bear arms on their persons, and boys are not regularly raised from childhood to learn skill in the use of some kind of weapon, either for community or personal defense. Ours also happens to be one of the rudest and crudest societies in history, having jubilantly swept most of the etiquette of speech, table, dress, hospitality, regard for fairness, deference to authority, and the relations of male and female and child and elder under the fraying and filthy carpet of politically convenient illusions. With little fear of physical reprisal, Americans can be as loud, gross, disrespectful, pushy, and negligent as they please. If more people carried rapiers at their belts or revolvers on their hips it is a fair bet that you would be able to go to a movie and enjoy the dialogue from the screen without having to endure the small talk, family gossip, and assorted bodily noises that many theater audiences these days regularly emit."

Samuel Francis, in "Chronicles"

Here's my post-response to Stephen Boyd's most recent post, over at Defending our Christian Heritage.

Quote from "Amazing Grace"

I'm sitting here watching the movie "Amazing Grace" with my family. I love the intellect displayed throughout the movie, the quick wit, the wonderful command of the English language. Almost at the very start of the movie, our family erupted in laughter at this particular gem, which Mom immediately declared would be the perfect subject of a post.

"It is a scientific fact that marriage and health are inseparable . . . Single men wither away and die in rooms that smell of feet and armpits."

How true . . . "It is not good that man should be alone . . ."

Robert E. Lee on Honesty

"The trite saying that honesty is the best policy has met with the just criticism that honesty is not policy. The truly honest man is honest from conviction of what is right, not from policy."

Hints to Young Men: Choice of a Wife

"Young gentlemen, a word of advice to you in the choice of a wife. Don't allow yourself to be deceived and fascinated by a gay, dashing young lady, fond of company, extravagant, vain, artistical and showy in dress. It is a not a doll or coquette you want for a partner. Choose rather one of those retiring, modest, sensible, neat young ladies, who have learned to deny themselves, and possess a decided mind, and have acquainted themselves with the domestic affairs of a family."

From our latest book acquisition, a charming little volume entitled, "Cyclopedia and Compendium: Useful Knowledge". This ancient tome is sadly without a date of publication, but is apparently from the days when ladies were ladies, men were men, and both were expected to behave as such. Pretty good advice, actually - slipped in right along with the dictionary of the English language, dictionary of nautical terms, advice on how to conduct public meetings, cures for household ailments, a listing of all counties in the state of Alabama, etc., etc., under the quaint chapter heading, "Hints to Young Men." They don't write books like this any more . . .

One-liners from General Robert E. Lee

“I cannot consent to place in control of others one who cannot control himself.”

"I like whiskey. I always did, and that is why I never drink it."

"Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character."

“It is particularly incumbant on those charged with the instruction of the young to set an example of submission to authority.”

"You cannot be a true man until you learn to obey."

"Never do a wrong thing to make a friend or to keep one."

"In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength."