Teaching Classical languages at a gymnasium I developed a vision on education and the ultimate goal of all we try to achieve with children, adolescents and adults conveying knowledge and something else, something ephemeral that is the true essence of all that drives and motivates us in the lives we live.In 2010 I became a speaker at the Speakers Academy; as such I give lectures and presentations on a broad range of topics and host conferences (e.g. International Science Summit 2010).In november 2010 I became coowner of The Cicero Compagnie, which organizes travels based on the cultural heritage of western Europe as well as a number of courses and lectures. As of February 2018 I regularly publish video presentations (Cicero Praatjes) on cultural, political and religious subjects on the YouTube channel De Cicero Compagnie.From January 2009 until November 2010 I was a member of the Verkenningscommissie Klassieke Talen (OC&W, SLO) to look into the position of Latin (final report "Het Geheim van de Blauwe Broer", www.slo.nl). In 2014, collaborating with the VCN, LOZG and SHZG, I presented the Gouden Standaard, a bench mark for the gymnasium. In 2015 the BGV started a national inquery into the status quo of gymnasia in comprehensive schools.From 1992 until 2002 I was chairman of the church council of the parish of H. Nicolaas in H.I.Ambacht; in 1995 I created a platform for the multitude of religious groups in H.I.Ambacht. In 2008 I completed the merger with two other parishes. As chairman of the parish of the H. Jacobus, I headed the task force preparing the way to the regional merger with Dordrecht in 2010.In 1985 I published my first novella 'Het Zonnekind'. In 2005 my first collection of short stories was published 'The Man who would be Normal', followed by a second collection in 2012 'Driftwood'.In 2017 I successfully defended my PhD thesis at the VU Amsterdam concerning the function of friendship in the Confessions of St. Augustine.