I finally finished The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni back in June, thanks to Audible’s wonderful new recording, after starting and fizzling out twice. I think Mr. D enjoyed reading it over this past school year as well – “All things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) is the verse he quoted to me while narrating the last chapter. ♥ I actually prefer the translation that Audible used, and that I have on Kindle, to the Everyman hardback that Mr. D read; one of the reasons being there was a noticeable and, I thought, important difference in the way one of the passages I entered into my commonplace was translated. Of course, not knowing Italian, I can’t know which translation is the most accurate, but I have a feeling that in that particular passage, the older one was. 😉
The passage I quote below is part of a conversation between a bishop and the priest he is reprimanding; but I thought the struggles Federigo expressed could also apply to parents and children, or anyone in authority who must discipline those he is responsible for, while also knowing that he himself is far from perfect.
“Tis too true!” said Federigo; “such is our miserable and terrible condition. We must rigorously exact from others what God only knows whether we should be ready to yield; we must judge, correct, reprove; and God knows what we ourselves should do in the same circumstances, what we actually have done in similar ones! But woe unto me, had I to take my own weakness as the measure of other people’s duties, or the rule of my own teaching! Yet I certainly ought to give a good example, as well as good instruction, to others, and not be like the Pharisees, who ‘lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, while they themselves touch not the burden with one of their fingers.’ Well then, my son, my brother; as the errors of those in authority are often better known to others than to themselves; if you are aware of my having, from pusillanimity, or from any other motive, failed in any part of my duty, tell me of it candidly, and help me to amend; so that where example has been wanting, confession at least may supply its place. Remonstrate freely with me on my weaknesses; and then my words will acquire more value in my mouth, because you will feel more vividly that they are not mine, but are the words of Him who can give both to you and me the necessary strength to do what they prescribe.”
Also read/listened to recently:
- Hubby: He’s reading through the New Testament this summer with some of the rest of us (including Mr. L!).
- Me: I’ve just started listening to Fawkes by Nadine Brandes. It remains to be seen whether I’ll finish it, as historical fantasy is not my usual genre, but Audible was having a sale, and someone on IG said it was good, so… 😉
- Miss A: Due to her art classes, she’s still finishing up school reads – she finally finished Witness by Whittaker Chambers today, which is quite an accomplishment!
- Mr. D: The Pushcart War is his summer break read. 🙂
- Mr. E: I persuaded him to try Detectives in Togas and its sequel – two books Miss A enjoyed years ago – since he’d just been studying Roman history.
- Mr. L: He’s been immersed in some fantasy: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on audio, and N. D. Wilson’s 100 Cupboards
- Mr. R: I finished reading The Little House in the Big Woods to him today. ♥
- Read-aloud: We read the last two (romantic) chapters of Anne of the Island today.
