It is a pity that man does not possess a self-preservation instinct that would encourage him to cut out his own tongue before it degenerates irreparably into slander. There are cases in which, if such an instinct existed, the biography would be quite different. One must think very carefully before giving in to this terrible impulse, which is all the more blinding the more just it seems. In general, one slanders those one knows best, and the best way to know someone is to form a close intimacy, which very rarely occurs without some degree of kindness and mutual cordiality—for which one ought to be grateful. One soon sees where all this leads: there is no more despicable trait than ingratitude.
Category: Notes
In Recent Centuries, It Has Become Essential…
In recent centuries, it has become essential to ask ourselves, before opening a history book, who is telling the story and from whose perspective. This is because turning heroes into villains and villains into heroes seems to have become a sort of addiction or irresistible pastime. Regrettably, we usually only develop this habit after realizing we have been deceived. On the other hand, however, the impressive progress of historiography is a most welcome development, and we can be confident that those who have deceived us—or attempted to deceive us—have signed a disadvantageous contract: they have bet on lies against time; they will be unmasked and will remain humiliated forever, with no possibility of redemption.
Anti-Patriotism, However Much It May…
Anti-patriotism, however much it may provide abundant material for literature, however much it may enable good satire—and thus a good book—with the writer hardly having to make any effort to render the raw material interesting and convincing, and however much it may seem more logical than its opposite, sets a limit on artistic expression from the outset—the very same limit that the sentiment on which it is based can reach. It cannot be transformed into something positive without attacking the very qualities that sustain it. In a work, this would mean destroying its unity, its essence. It is best to treat it as no more than a peripheral element, always assigning it a secondary role and taking care not to inflate it to the point of tedium—because that is precisely what it does when it takes the place of a higher form of expression instead of surpassing itself, something it is definitely incapable of doing.
It Is Understandable the Agitation and…
It is understandable the agitation and the nonconformity of someone who feels completely ignored, undervalued, or wronged. But here’s the thing: it is almost always futile, and he who acts as his own advocate or propagandist rarely makes a good impression. He does not overcome such injustice, and may even reinforce it by earning a reputation for vanity. That is a dish one must chew in silence, without complaining about the excess salt. One must swallow it without getting upset, like someone who accepts fate, and take comfort in that calm acceptance. Because, after all, the world has never been a reliable judge, and one should not seek any kind of guidance from it.