page sage

To Know One

on Today I'm Alice

I'm not sure that we ever really get to know people. We know about them, and sometimes we get to know parts of them, but I don't think we ever fully know a person...

The Personal Touch

on Howards End

While Henry and Charles were personable chaps with manners and pleasant demeanours, Margaret and Helen were personal companions...

In and Out

on Howards End

Neither side is perfect. They're different, and it's for that very reason they ought not be opposites. For that reason, they ought to rely on each other and be partners, complementing and compensating for each other....

Free for All

on Mere Christianity

Whether or not we have free will is a question I cannot answer. Whether or not we should want it is a question I propose we contend with. Do we have free will? Would that be desirable?

Must Not Be Mistaken

on Mere Christianity

It's rather a shame Mere Christianity is titled so. I am of the opinion that anyone could benefit from reading this book—and not merely to learn about Christianity. It's a profound, thought-provoking text by one of the twentieth centuries greatest intellectuals...

Do You Trust Me?

on Dear john

Trust isn't always a good thing. Julia had been bound to her trafficker for months, years. It wasn't a healthy relationship, but it was deeply and firmly rooted. She knew him. She didn't know all about him, but she knew him. She didn't know the police officer...

The Hunt for Humanity

on Dear john

We discover parts of ourselves that are so dark and despicable but also captivating and attractive—irresistible, intriguing, seductive. Evil may be bad but rarely is it ugly to us...

Comfortable in His Own Skin

on South of Forgiveness

He had the capacity to empathise with others and care for them because he was confident, comfortable in his own skin..

To Dehumanise

on South of Forgiveness

It's the Age of Identity, and labels matter. We say we don't label people—we shouldn't—but we do...