10 Quotes & Sayings By Peter Abelard

Peter Abelard (c. 1079–1142) was a French scholastic philosopher, theologian, and logician. He was one of the most prominent scholastic philosophers in the medieval period, and in his time he was called "the second Plato" because of his formidable learning. Peter Abelard was born in Melun, then part of the feudal domain of the Count of Blois Read more

He received an excellent education in Paris at the School of Notre Dame where he studied grammar, dialectics, and theology. His intellectual brilliance soon made him famous among his contemporaries. While still young, Peter entered the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which was renowned for its theological teaching.

When he became a monk there he received the minor orders and the minor orders, made proctor general for life to Bishop Thierry of Chartres during whose reign he taught at Chartres Cathedral School. According to many accounts Peter's brilliance did not prevent him from becoming involved in conflicts with other members of the cloister or with his superiors in his capacity as administrator and teacher at the School of Notre Dame. In particular he had a falling out with Robert de Sorbon who accused Abelard of having seduced him and thereby caused him to lose his position as Bishop of Paris and Professor at Notre Dame University.

We do many things carelessly or unwillingly, but nothing studiously...
1
We do many things carelessly or unwillingly, but nothing studiously unless we are willing and apply ourselves. Peter Abelard
2
I preferred the weapons of dialectic to all the other teachings of philosophy, and armed with these, I chose the conflicts of disputation rather than the trophies of war. Peter Abelard
3
Are you not moved to tears and bitter compassion, when you behold the only Son of God seized by the most impious, dragged away, mocked, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, hung upon the infamous cross between two thieves, finally in such a horrible and execrable manner suffering death, for your salvation and that of the world? Peter Abelard
4
The Son of God took our nature, and in it took upon himself to teach us by both word and example even to the point of death, thus binding us to himself through love. Peter Abelard
5
Our redemption through the suffering of Christ is that deeper love within us which not only frees us from slavery to sin, but also secures for us the true liberty of the children of God, in order that we might do all things out of love rather than out of fear - love for him that has shown us such grace that no greater can be found. Peter Abelard
6
By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth. Peter Abelard
7
It is by doubting that we come to investigate, and by investigating that we recognize the truth. Peter Abelard
8
The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth. Peter Abelard
9
The men who abandon themselves to the passions of this miserable life, are compared in Scripture to beasts. Peter Abelard