CROSSROADS - New York Cultural Center

"Certainly there were many
evils that
the men of ancient times
suffered.
But there were, however, the
men of wisdom.
These would teach to other
men the principle
of mutual cohabitation and
of mutual support.
These wise ones chose their
rulers and teachers.
They put to flight the reptiles,
serpents and wild beasts,
and they established man's
primacy.
For those who were cold,
they made clothes;
for those who were hungry,
they prepared food;
for those who lived in trees ...
or in caves ... they made
houses.
They instructed the workers
that they might make utensils;
the merchants that they
might trade things
that they had or of which
they were lacking;
the doctors who would use
the medicines ...
They inculcated recognition
toward benefactors;
they instituted norms that
would assign each to his
proper place.
They created music that
would dissipate the sadness
built up in the
heart,
the government that would
give a shock to negligence,
the punishments that would
break down obstinance.
And since men were
cheating one another
the wise ones dictated to
them...
bushels, liters, weights and
scales in order that they keep
faith in
selling.

And now there are those who
say:
"let's smash these bushels, let's
smash these scales
and then the people won't
have anything to argue
about anymore."

Han Yu (768-824 B.C.),
Fragments of Chinese Doctrine

UPCOMING EVENT

MEMORY AND IDENTITY

In the Name of the Father?
The Status of Fatherhood in Our Culture

Speakers:

Fr. Peter CAMERON
Editor-in-Chief of Magnificat
Assistant Professor of Homiletics at the
Dominican House of Studies

Dr. Ronald MINCY
Professor of Social Policy and
Social Work Practice
Columbia University

Dr. Paul C. VITZ
Professor at The Institute for
the Psychological Sciences,
Arlington, VA
Professor Emeritus at
New York University

Mr. John WATERS
Columnist for The Irish Times

Monday, March 12, 2007, 7:00PM
Columbia University, Jerome Green Hall, Room 103
116th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, New York

READ THE TRANSCRIPT