I’m starting a category for “Commonplaces,” so that I can store and share online the snips that I want to store someplace retrievable — and to begin the category, I want to quote from the FAQ of Tom Matrullo’s late lamented “Commonplaces” blog:
A common-place book is what a provident poet cannot subsist without, for this proverbial reason, that “great wits have short memories;” and whereas, on the other hand, poets being liars by profession, ought to have good memories.
~ Jonathan Swift, A Letter of Advice to a Young Poet.
In ancient rhetoric, commonplace is koinos topos – “a composition which amplifies inherent evils.” It often fit into the curriculum as a preparatory exercise for either encomium or vituperation. Which is not altogether unrelated to what seems to be going on here.
Tom Matrullo, http://tom.buzzword.com/faq
I still have my commonplace book. I started at the, ah, “suggestion” of a professor of early church a number of years ago. I wish I had added more to it between that class and graduation when I was reading a lot more than I read now, but it still has some wonderful quotes that I am glad I haven’t lost. And yes, I still add to it today.
A little something from said book for the House of Bishops meeting with a prayer that this month’s work may be more productive than the synods it refers to from ages past:
“I am determined to avoid every assembly of bishops. I have never seen a single instance in which a synod did any good. Strife and ambition dominate them to an incredible degree. From councils and synods I will keep myself at a distance, for I have experienced that most of them, to speak with moderation, are not worth much. I will not sit in the seat of synods, while geese and cranes confusedly wrangle.” (Gregory Nanzianzen)
Tres odd, to see that again, never thinking to do so, in all its digital mustiness. I’ll look forward to your brand new one, O AKMAtic memory!