Some habits are immune to mental condemnation, and no matter how much they are avoided, they remain there, latent, as a tendency that will manifest itself at the first opportunity. In such cases, there is no way to uproot them except through an abrupt and violent act, which usually does not occur unless motivated by intense distress. Thus, it ends up being necessary, and beneficial, to endure all the corruption stemming from them, to the point where the wear and tear is so great, the revulsion so intense, that reason, thoroughly exasperated and incensed, finds the strength needed to say “never again.”
It Is a Rather Silly Notion That…
It is a rather silly notion that, with each new poem, the author must “invent” something new. And it goes hand in hand with this other idea that the greatest poet is the one who has employed the greatest number of formulas, who has explored the widest range of compositional possibilities, who, in short, “has not repeated himself.” That is why versification manuals, after a certain point, begin to grow tiresome. The same is true of treatises on stylistics. There comes a point where the essential seems long since surpassed, and the text begins to dwell on the irrelevant. The student is left with the feeling that his noble interest is being trivialized, and that art itself is of little value.
Confession Is Effective Because It Instantly…
Confession is effective because it instantly eradicates self-deception, halting the endless succession of consequences that would surely follow from it. It effectively makes a fresh start possible, free from the pernicious tendencies that, in order to manifest themselves again, would require a new decision. Verbalizing the fault solidifies the acknowledgment and the desire for amendment; the act of expressing it outwardly literally brings it out into the open and thus undeniably achieves its intended purpose. All of this is something the intellect can already perceive even before the experience.
Ideal Relationships
Based solely on his work, it would be impossible to imagine just how fortunate Cioran was in his relationship with Simone Boué. It was a lifelong, affectionate, stable, and deep relationship with someone who shared similar interests, was content to lead a discreet, modest life, and who, above all, by her very presence, made his days better, his life better. Machado de Assis was also able to enjoy a similar relationship, grounded in affection, shared interests, and mutual admiration. Now, if there is one thing that is certain, it is that a bond of this nature is extremely rare, absolutely exceptional. It is almost a miracle that two such souls manage to cross paths in the world, get to know one another, and have the opportunity to discover the depth of their connection. This, indeed, is a unique, exceptionally special experience, one from which the vast majority of mortals are deprived.