Marks of the good writer - Good writers have two things in common; they prefer to be understood rather than admired; and they do not write for knowing and over-acute readers. (AOM)

 

But to stand in the midst of this rerum concordia discors and the whole marvellous uncertainty of existance and not to question, not to tremble with the desire and joy of questioning, not even to hate him who does not ask questions, perhaps even to be thoroughly entertained by him - that is what I feel to be contemptible, and it is this feeling I seek first of all in everyone I meet. (GS)

 

To live alone one must be an animal  or a god - says Aristotle. There is yet a third case: one must be both - a philosopher. (T Maxims and Arrows 3)

 

What makes heroic? - To go to meet simultaneously one's greatest sorrow and one's greatest hope.

What do you believe in? - In this: that the weight of all things must be determined anew

What does your conscience say? - 'You should become him who you are'

Where lie your greatest dangers? - In pity

What do you love in others? - My hopes

Whom do you call bad? - Him who always wants to make ashamed

What is to you the most humane thing? - To spare anyone shame

What is the seal of freedom attained? - No longer to be ashamed of oneself. (GS)

?/?/01

Back to Thoughts