greykit.essays
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1865-03-04
[american-civic]
Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln's somber second inaugural, weighing the war as divine judgment on slavery — "With malice toward none, with charity for all.
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1863-11-19
[american-civic]
The Gettysburg Address
Lincoln's 272-word dedication at Gettysburg — "that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
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1859
[european-tradition]
On Liberty
Mill's defence of individual liberty against the tyranny of the majority — the harm principle and the freedom of thought, discussion, and individuality.
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1854
[american-civic]
Slavery in Massachusetts
Thoreau's furious response to the Fugitive Slave Law and Massachusetts's complicity in returning a man to bondage.
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1854
[american-civic]
Walden
Thoreau's account of two years living simply at Walden Pond — a meditation on self-reliance and deliberate life.
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1849
[american-civic]
Civil Disobedience
Thoreau's argument that the individual must not lend himself to the injustice he condemns — the founding text of civil disobedience.
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1845
[american-civic]
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Douglass's account of his life in slavery and his escape to freedom — the most influential of the American slave narratives.
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1841
[american-civic]
Essays: First Series
Emerson's first series of essays — Self-Reliance, Compensation, The Over-Soul, Circles, and more — the core of American Transcendentalism.
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1830
[religion]
1 Nephi
Lehi's family flees Jerusalem before its fall and journeys to a promised land across the sea.
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1830
[religion]
2 Nephi
Nephi's teachings and prophecies, with long quotations of Isaiah and a vision of the latter days.
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1830
[religion]
3 Nephi
Signs of Christ's birth and death, and the risen Christ's ministry among the Nephites.
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1830
[religion]
4 Nephi
Two centuries of peace after Christ's visit, and the slow return of pride and division.
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1830
[religion]
Alma
The longest book: missionary journeys, the conversions of Alma and the sons of Mosiah, and wars.
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1830
[religion]
Enos
A single chapter on one man's wrestle in prayer and his plea for his people.
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1830
[religion]
Ether
Moroni's abridgment of the Jaredites, an earlier people from the Tower of Babel.
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1830
[religion]
Helaman
Prophecies, secret combinations, and Samuel the Lamanite foretelling Christ's birth.
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1830
[religion]
Jacob
Nephi's brother preaches against pride and unchastity and recounts the allegory of the olive tree.
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1830
[religion]
Jarom
A brief record of the Nephites keeping the law and prospering.
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1830
[religion]
Mormon
Mormon's account of the Nephites' final wars and their destruction.
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1830
[religion]
Moroni
The last prophet's closing counsel and the promise to know the truth by the Spirit.
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1830
[religion]
Mosiah
King Benjamin's address, the people of Zeniff, and Alma's church amid bondage and deliverance.
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1830
[religion]
Omni
Several keepers of the record briefly pass it down to the days of King Mosiah.
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1830
[religion]
Words of Mormon
Mormon's short bridge connecting the small plates to his abridgment.
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1796-09-19
[american-founding]
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington's valedictory letter to the American people, warning against party faction, sectionalism, and permanent foreign alliances.
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1791-12-15
[american-founding]
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental civil rights.
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1787-10-27
[american-founding]
The Federalist Papers
The eighty-five essays by "Publius" arguing for ratification of the United States Constitution.
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1787-09-17
[american-founding]
The Constitution of the United States
The original 1787 Constitution establishing the federal government of the United States.
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1776-12-23
[american-founding]
The American Crisis
Paine's thirteen wartime Crisis papers (and A Crisis Extraordinary) — "These are the times that try men's souls.
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1776-07-04
[american-founding]
The Declaration of Independence
The thirteen colonies' unanimous declaration dissolving allegiance to the British Crown.
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1776-01-10
[american-founding]
Common Sense
Paine's incendiary case for American independence and against monarchy and hereditary rule.
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1729
[sources-of-liberty]
A Modest Proposal
Swift's savage satire proposing that the Irish poor sell their children as food — the most famous satirical essay in English.
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1689
[sources-of-liberty]
Second Treatise of Government
Locke's foundational argument for government by consent, natural rights, and the right of revolution — the deepest source of the American founding.
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1611
[religion]
1 Chronicles
Genealogies from Adam and a priestly retelling of David's reign.
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1611
[religion]
1 Corinthians
Paul addresses division, disorder, and love in a struggling church.
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1611
[religion]
1 John
Fellowship, light, and the assurance that God is love.
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1611
[religion]
1 Kings
Solomon's glory and the temple, the kingdom's division, and the prophet Elijah.
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1611
[religion]
1 Peter
Hope and holiness for Christians suffering for their faith.
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1611
[religion]
1 Samuel
The rise of the monarchy: Samuel, the tragic King Saul, and the young David.
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1611
[religion]
1 Thessalonians
Encouragement to a young church, with hope in Christ's return.
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1611
[religion]
1 Timothy
Pastoral counsel on church order and sound doctrine.
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1611
[religion]
2 Chronicles
Solomon's temple to the Babylonian exile, told with an eye to worship and reform.
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1611
[religion]
2 Corinthians
Paul defends his ministry and glories in weakness made strong.
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1611
[religion]
2 John
A short note on truth and love, and walking in the commandments.
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1611
[religion]
2 Kings
The decline and fall of Israel and Judah into exile, amid prophets and faithless kings.
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1611
[religion]
2 Peter
A warning against false teachers and a call to grow in grace.
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1611
[religion]
2 Samuel
The reign of David — his triumphs, his sin, and the troubles of his house.
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1611
[religion]
2 Thessalonians
Steadfastness amid persecution and clarity on the day of the Lord.
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1611
[religion]
2 Timothy
Paul's last letter: a charge to endure and keep the faith.
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1611
[religion]
3 John
A brief letter on hospitality and faithfulness.
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1611
[religion]
Acts
The birth and spread of the church from Jerusalem to Rome through the apostles.
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1611
[religion]
Amos
A herdsman-prophet thunders against injustice and empty religion.
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1611
[religion]
Colossians
The supremacy and sufficiency of Christ over all things.
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1611
[religion]
Daniel
Faith in the Babylonian court and apocalyptic visions of kingdoms to come.
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1611
[religion]
Deuteronomy
Moses' farewell addresses, restating the Law to a new generation on the plains of Moab.
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1611
[religion]
Ecclesiastes
The Preacher's meditation on vanity, time, and meaning under the sun.
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1611
[religion]
Ephesians
The riches of grace and the unity of the church as Christ's body.
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1611
[religion]
Esther
A Jewish queen risks all to save her people in the Persian court; the origin of Purim.
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1611
[religion]
Exodus
Israel's deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the sea, and the giving of the Law at Sinai.
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1611
[religion]
Ezekiel
Visions of glory, judgment, and restoration from a prophet among the exiles.
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1611
[religion]
Ezra
The return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
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1611
[religion]
Galatians
A passionate defense of freedom in the gospel against legalism.
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1611
[religion]
Genesis
Creation, the Fall, the Flood, and the patriarchs from Adam to Joseph: the book of beginnings.
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1611
[religion]
Habakkuk
A prophet's dialogue with God over evil, ending in faith: the just shall live by his faith.
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1611
[religion]
Haggai
A call to rebuild the temple and renew the people's priorities.
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1611
[religion]
Hebrews
Christ as the better covenant, better priest, and fulfillment of the old order.
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1611
[religion]
Hosea
A prophet's broken marriage as a parable of God's love for an unfaithful people.
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1611
[religion]
Isaiah
Majestic prophecies of judgment and comfort, and the promise of a coming Redeemer.
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1611
[religion]
James
Practical wisdom on faith that works, the tongue, and the trials of life.
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1611
[religion]
Jeremiah
The weeping prophet warns Judah of ruin and proclaims a new covenant.
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1611
[religion]
Job
A righteous man's suffering and the searching question of why the innocent suffer.
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1611
[religion]
Joel
The day of the Lord, a locust plague, and the promise of the outpoured Spirit.
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1611
[religion]
John
The Gospel of the Word made flesh, that you might believe and have life.
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1611
[religion]
Jonah
A reluctant prophet, a great fish, and the mercy of God toward Nineveh.
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1611
[religion]
Joshua
The conquest and division of Canaan under Joshua, Moses' successor.
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1611
[religion]
Jude
A sharp warning to contend for the faith against the ungodly.
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1611
[religion]
Judges
Israel's cycle of apostasy and deliverance through judges like Gideon and Samson.
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1611
[religion]
Lamentations
Five poems of grief over the fall of Jerusalem.
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1611
[religion]
Leviticus
The priestly law: sacrifice, holiness, and the ordering of worship for a covenant people.
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1611
[religion]
Luke
A careful Gospel for the wider world, rich in parables and compassion.
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1611
[religion]
Malachi
The last Old Testament prophet rebukes a careless people and foretells the messenger to come.
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1611
[religion]
Mark
The swift, vivid Gospel of Jesus as the suffering Servant.
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1611
[religion]
Matthew
The Gospel for Israel, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah and King.
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1611
[religion]
Micah
Judgment and hope, and the call to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
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1611
[religion]
Nahum
The downfall of Nineveh foretold.
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1611
[religion]
Nehemiah
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the renewal of the covenant.
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1611
[religion]
Numbers
Forty years in the wilderness, with censuses, rebellions, and the road to the Promised Land.
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1611
[religion]
Obadiah
A brief oracle against Edom for its pride and violence.
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1611
[religion]
Philemon
A personal plea for a runaway slave received back as a brother.
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1611
[religion]
Philippians
A letter of joy and contentment written from prison.
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1611
[religion]
Proverbs
Distilled wisdom for living: pithy sayings on prudence, justice, and the fear of the Lord.
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1611
[religion]
Psalms
The Bible's hymnbook: 150 songs of praise, lament, and trust, largely attributed to David.
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1611
[religion]
Revelation
Apocalyptic visions of judgment, the cosmic battle, and the new heaven and new earth.
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1611
[religion]
Romans
Paul's great exposition of sin, grace, and salvation by faith.
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1611
[religion]
Ruth
A Moabite widow's loyalty and redemption, and the lineage that leads to King David.
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1611
[religion]
Song of Solomon
A lyric celebration of love between bride and beloved.
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1611
[religion]
Titus
Instructions for ordering the church and adorning the gospel with good works.
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1611
[religion]
Zechariah
Visions of restoration and the coming King.
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1611
[religion]
Zephaniah
The day of the Lord and a remnant preserved.