As can be seen in individual personalities, it seems very appropriate to make a distinction in literature between authors whose spirit is inclined toward knowledge and authors whose spirit is inclined toward pleasure. Poetry, more than other genres, shows that these are very different types, in which the years bring about different transformations, so that, for the former, the work seems to be much more dependent on this evolution. Thus, the tendency is for the former to produce their best work at the end, with their early books taking on a somewhat preparatory character, of greater interest to the biographer than to the ordinary reader. For the latter, it is not uncommon for maturity to spoil that youthful verve on which their best compositions depend.
Category: Notes
Merely Living in Different Environments…
Merely living in different environments can produce men with such different experiences that, if they try, they will realize that it is not possible to establish mutual communication. None of them will be able to correctly grasp the meaning of what the other says, and will end up judging it as inappropriate before suspecting that the problem may lie in their own understanding. Reality, identical for all, has aspects revealed only to some. And if, not of free will, but out of some unforeseen and uncontrollable necessity that prevents deviation and demands confrontation, some of those aspects end up being revealed, the man who has to confront them will know from experience that they are real, and his personality may be transformed forever; but even so, he may never be able to put into words and convince another man of what he has experienced.
It Is a Rather Beneficial Habit to, Routinely…
It is a rather beneficial habit to, routinely, after completing a task, or rather, after reaching the previously set daily goal, not interrupt the activity and allow oneself to go a little further. The most obvious result is a small gain in productivity. But psychologically, this habit produces something better. With the goal achieved, one experiences that good feeling of accomplishment; however, if the activity does not end there, one remembers that the goal only exists in relation to a larger objective. Getting closer to it, even if only a little more, increases the satisfaction experienced and educates the mind, which, by getting rid of a possible excuse, gets used to always doing as much as it can to get where it wants to be.
Undoubtedly, Any Stability Would Be Impossible…
Undoubtedly, any stability would be impossible if the impulse to change were not repeatedly curbed by what can sometimes be called prudence, sometimes fear, sometimes lack of reflection. To the mind, however, none of this matters: the impulse repeats itself, daydreams follow it thousands of times, and thousands of times they end in anything but action. Buddhism is well aware of the futility and irrationality of these daydreams and this uncontrollable movement. However, the impulse that repeats itself identically, the longing that does not fade and intensifies over time, must mean something. Let it appear and go away as naturally as it came… Very well, very well. Sometimes, however, the experience raises a question; and this, sooner or later, must be answered.