Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
I come not to bury Bill Clinton, nor to praise him. I merely wish to point out what I found to be a most illuminating phrase in Larry McMurtry's review of the former President's book:
A quote that surely must resonate with anyone who has been grist for the Jesuit mill.
A BRIEF ADDENDUM
I should add that I doubt the good Fathers would've approved of Mr. Clinton's equivocation. Had a Jesuit interrogated Mr. Clinton, the then-President would have been required, if not driven, to put forth a coherent definition of the meaning of the word "is." And then he would have been mercilessly raked over the coal for a failure to provide an adequate definition and/or a failure to properly apply said definition.
The Jesuits have never been ones to tolerate sloppy thinking. As one of my teachers once told me "unsupported generalizations are bullshit Daniel." Arguably the soundest piece of advice I ever received from a teacher, less from the novelty of the concept and more form the forceful manner in which it was delivered.
During the silly time when Clinton was pilloried for wanting to debate the meaning of "is," I often wondered why no one pointed out that he was educated by Jesuits, for whom the meaning of "is" is a matter not lightly resolved.
A quote that surely must resonate with anyone who has been grist for the Jesuit mill.
A BRIEF ADDENDUM
I should add that I doubt the good Fathers would've approved of Mr. Clinton's equivocation. Had a Jesuit interrogated Mr. Clinton, the then-President would have been required, if not driven, to put forth a coherent definition of the meaning of the word "is." And then he would have been mercilessly raked over the coal for a failure to provide an adequate definition and/or a failure to properly apply said definition.
The Jesuits have never been ones to tolerate sloppy thinking. As one of my teachers once told me "unsupported generalizations are bullshit Daniel." Arguably the soundest piece of advice I ever received from a teacher, less from the novelty of the concept and more form the forceful manner in which it was delivered.
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