Higher Things

From our morning reading together

After reading about Josef Pieper all summer, I decided to actually read one of his books. I ordered a copy of Leisure, the Basis of Culture, first published in German in 1948, later in English, and republished by Ignatius Press in 2009.

I started reading it aloud to Tom, hoping he might help me understand it. Philosophy is not easy for me, and I lack knowledge of the historical context in which Pieper was writing. Tom has been helpful, but even he has admitted that Pieper is a bit beyond his reach. Still, we decided to plod through, because there are truths here that are challenging and worth thinking about.

Pieper begins the first chapter by arguing that modern man has come to think his value is found in his work—specifically, in servile work.

“And surely,” he says, “until our task is done and our house is rebuilt, the only thing that matters is to strain every nerve.”

In Chapter 2, Pieper asks the question, “What happens when we look at a rose?” As I was reading this aloud to Tom, I paused to think of an answer.

Tom spoke, in his garbled speech, “We give it to one we love.”

So sweet, I thought. I let that sink in a bit. Then I asked Tom to tell me more. “What do you mean?”

“We give roses because they are beautiful. There is no other reason.”

Nothing utilitarian—but definitely exhilarating.

I am so grateful for Tom’s simple teachings. There are some things that serve no purpose other than to bring us joy. These are the higher things.