C. S. Lewis's 8/13 Headings
From "Appendix" to The Abolition of Man
About 'The 8/13' Mary's
essay
DejaLewis Home Page | Notable Posts and Rants | alt.books.cs-lewis
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The headings plus some of Lewis's examples (condensed)
I. The Law of General Beneficence: A. Negative:
I have not brought misery upon my fellow. I have not made the beginning of every day laborious in the sight of him who worked for me. (Ancient Egyptian) Who meditates oppression, his dwelling is overturned. (Babylonian) Utter not a word by which anyone could be wounded. (Hindu) I have not caused hunger. I have not caused weeping. (Ancient Egyptian)
I. The Law of General Beneficence: B. Positive:
When the people have multiplied, what next should be done for them? The Master said, Enrich them. Jan Chiu said, When one has enriched them, what next should be done for them? The Master said, Instruct them. (Ancient Chinese)
II. The Law of Special Beneficence:
Natural affection is a thing right and according to Nature. (Greek) The union and fellowship of men will be best preserved if each receives from us the more kindness in proportion as he is more closely connected with us. (Roman) I ought not to be unfeeling like a statue but should fulfil both my natural and artificial relations, as a worshipper, a son, a brother, a father, and a citizen. (Greek)
III. Duties to Parents, Elders, Ancestors
IV. Duties to Children and Posterity:
Nature produces a special love of offspring and to live according to Nature is the supreme good. (Roman) Great reverence is owed to a child. (Roman) The Master said, Respect the young. (Ancient Chinese)
V. The Law of Justice: A. Sexual Justice:
Has he approached his neighbors wife? (Babylonian) Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Ancient Jewish)
V. The Law of Justice: B. Honesty:
Choose loss rather than shameful gains. (Greek) Justice is the settled and permanent intention of rendering to each man his rights. (Roman) ...treat common property as common property, and private property as his own. (Roman)
V. The Law of Justice: C. Justice in Court, &c:
Whoso takes no bribe . . . well pleasing is this to Samas. (Babylonian) Do no unrighteousness in judgement. You must not consider the fact that one party is poor nor the fact that the other is a great man. ((Ancient Jewish)
VI. The Law of Good Faith and Veracity:
The foundation of justice is good faith. (Roman) The gentleman must learn to be faithful to his superiors and to keep promises. (Ancient Chinese) Anything is better than treachery. (Old Norse)
VII. The Law of Mercy:
The poor and the sick should be regarded as lords of the atmosphere. (Hindu) I have given bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, clothes to the naked ,a ferry to the boatless. (Ancient Egyptian) One should never strike a woman; not even with a flower. (Hindu) Nature confesses that she has given to the human race the tenderest hearts, by giving us the power to weep. This is the best part of us. (Roman)
VIII. The Law of Magnanimity: A.
To take no notice of a violent attack is to strengthen the heart of the enemy. Vigour is valiant, but cowardice is vile. (Ancient Egyptian) The Master said, Love learning and if attacked be ready to die for the Good Way. (Ancient Chinese)
Death is to be chosen before slavery and base deeds. (Roman) The soul then ought to conduct the body....(Hooker) He who is unmoved, who has restrained his senses. . . as a flame in a windless place the flickers not.... (Ancient Indian)
Is not the love of Wisdom a practice of death? (Ancient Greek) (From Phaedo, see my excerpt)
Appendix to Abolition of Man Lewis's complete appendix (footnotes omitted)
About 'The 8/13' Mary's essay
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