Ourselves (Book I: Self-Knowledge)
By Charlotte M. Mason (1904)
Charlotte Mason wrote Volume 4 of her series specifically to be placed directly in the hands of young people (ages 12–16) for daily moral study. Book I maps out 'The Kingdom of Mansoul'—the House of Body, Mind, Intellect, Beauty, Truth, Justice, and Love—teaching self-knowledge and character vigilance.
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Lesson 1: The Country of Mansoul and Its Inhabitants
The ancient allegory of Mansoul: a rich and glorious territory with four gates; the lord of the land, the faithful serva...
### The Country of Mansoul and Its Inhabitants
**Living Narrative Summary**: The ancient allegory of Mansoul: a rich and glorious territory with four gates; the lord of the land, the faithful servants, and the foreign rebels lurking in secret corners.
**Charlotte Mason Discussion & Narration Focus**: How does Charlotte Mason use the picture of a kingdom to help us see that we are each responsible for our own inner city?
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Table of Contents
12 ChaptersEvery chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.
Lesson 1: The Country of Mansoul and Its Inhabitants
The ancient allegory of Mansoul: a rich and glorious territory with four gates; the lord of the land, the faithful serva...
Lesson 2: The House of Mind: Hunger of Intellect
Intellect, the keen-eyed minister in Mansoul; the appetite for knowledge, math, science, and history; why a mind that fe...
Lesson 3: The Lord of Daemons: Imagination and Fancy
Imagination, the marvelous painter in the camera obscura of the mind; feeding imagination on noble poetry and art versus...
Lesson 4: The Daemons of Reason: How We Argue Ourselves into Wrong
Reason, the brilliant lawyer in Mansoul; how Reason can invent clever arguments to justify whatever the heart desires, w...
Lesson 5: The Chamber of Beauty: Aesthetic Sense
The love of harmonious color, fine proportion, sweet sounds, and the glorious pageantry of nature; cultivating the eye t...
Lesson 6: The Court of Justice: Fairness to Others
Justice, the incorruptible judge holding the balanced scales; respecting other people's rights, property, reputation, an...
Lesson 7: The Law of Truth: Candor and Sincerity
Truth, the clear white lamp; exactness in speech; avoiding exaggerations, half-truths, and deceitful silences that lead ...
Lesson 8: The Lords of Love: Kindness, Courtesy, and Pity
Love in the Kingdom of Mansoul; Pity stooping to help the afflicted; Kindness in little unremembered acts; Courtesy as t...
Lesson 9: The Secret Foes: Envy, Jealousy, and Grudge
The venomous serpents in the grass of Mansoul; how Envy sickens at another's honor; how Jealousy poisons friendship; the...
Lesson 10: The Daemon of Gladness: Joy and Thankfulness
Joy, the singing bird in the palace courtyard; thankfulness as a daily duty of the heart; how grumbling spreads like a c...
Lesson 11: The Sovereign Will: The Ruler in the Citadel
The Will, the rightful king sitting upon the throne of Mansoul; distinguishing between a 'strong will' (self-control) an...
Lesson 12: The High Court of Conscience: The Voice of God
Conscience, the supreme monitor in the soul; why Conscience must be instructed and educated by Scripture and truth, lest...
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