Penguin Classics

If you're thrilled by the idea of questioning conventional values and digging into the roots of what drives morality, "Beyond Good and Evil" is where your intellectual adventure begins. Nietzsche doesn't just philosophize; he tears through the fabric of traditional Western thought, inviting you to reevaluate everything you've held as true. This is a book for the bold thinker who doesn't shy away from an intellectual challenge.

If you're seeking a deeper spiritual connection or a rich, historical perspective on Christian faith, "The Imitation of Christ" could resonate with you. Thomas a Kempis's words encourage a closer rapport with God, emphasizing virtues like humility and patience. It's a work that transcends centuries and continues to offer introspective guidance for its readers.

This book enchants with its profound spiritual wisdom, offering a timeless contemplation beyond intellectual barriers. Its anonymous author conveys the beauty of reaching the divine through love rather than knowledge, making it a priceless read for those yearning to deepen their spiritual journey.

In his reflections on Christianity, Saint Thomas Aquinas forged a unique synthesis of ancient philosophy and medieval theology. Preoccupied with the relationship between faith and reason, he was influenced both by Aristotle's rational world view and by the powerful belief that wisdom and truth can ultimately only be reached through divine revelation. Thomas's writings, which contain highly influential statements of fundamental Christian doctrine, as well as observations on topics as diverse as political science, anti-Semitism and heresy, demonstrate the great range of his intellect and place him firmly among the greatest medieval philosophers.

This exquisite Deluxe Edition of the Anglican prayer book and literary masterpiece commemorates the 350th anniversary of the 1662 edition intimately familiar to our most enduring writers (Austen, Swift, the Brontës). It features a new introduction by The New Yorker’s book critic, James Wood, discussing how it has influenced the English language and literature. As essential to the canon as the Bible and the plays of Shakespeare, The Book of Common Prayer has been in daily use for centuries. Originally produced for the Church of England in the sixteenth century by Thomas Cranmer, who was burned at the stake upon the accession to the throne of the ardently Catholic Queen Mary, it contains the entire liturgy as first presented in English—as well as some of the oldest phrases to be used by modern English speakers. Here are the daily prayers, scripture readings, psalm recitals, and the services marking such religious milestones as baptism, confirmation, and marriage (“to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, to till death do us part”), all from the 1662 edition, whose words live on to this day sin figures of speech, ceremonial vows and benedictions, and in the work of some of the greatest writers in English literature.

A collectible new Penguin Classics series: stunning, clothbound editions of ten favourite poets, which present each poet's most famous book of verse as it was originally published. Designed by the acclaimed Coralie Bickford-Smith and beautifully set, these slim, A format volumes are the ultimate gift editions for poetry lovers. On his deathbed George Herbert entrusted the manuscript of The Temple to his friend Nicholas Ferrar, asking him to publish it if he thought it was worthy. Herbert died in 1633 and the collection was published the same year to great acclaim, subsequently becoming one of the best-loved collections in the English language. The Temple is an astounding collection of verse poems: an extended meditation on man's relationship to God that is characterised by Herbert's clarity and directness of style. It includes such favourites as 'The Collar', 'The Pearl' and 'Love', with its beautiful opening lines: 'Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back, / Guilty of dust and sin'.