Emerson's sage advice on reading, writing, and creating too.

A look at the contrast between Thomas Jefferson's approach to slavery and that of Edward Coles. Coles did better. Jefferson did not.

An inspirational poem on all the beauty in the world and how we must thank God for such perfection. Yes, indeed...

A look at Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset's thoughts on how modernity created the mass-mind and what that means for us today.

I look at Thucydides' Melian Dialogue from the Peloponnesian War and how it still matters today.

A look at Vasily Grossman's epic masterpiece "Life and Fate" and some of the themes that made it unpublishable in the Soviet Union.

Poem for the daydream believers, or how the world loathes those who don't plug in, pay their attention taxes, and aren't "practical" enough.

A poem on maturity, idealism (or the death of it, anyway), and how we kill our souls long before our bodies kill us.

Byzantine emperor Heraclius's life was filled with both triumph and tragedy, victories and defeats. I look at the life of a fascinating man.

The three magi brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But what is myrrh? And what is the ancient incest myth behind it? I take a look.