Better are always the words of one who does not allow himself to be dominated by a sense of self-importance, even if that sense has not been transformed into humility. Contempt, scorn, whatever it may be: anything is valid to nullify it, and any expression that contradicts it is more pleasing than the pride that may stem from it. The reader, even if not a philosopher, will always have an innate sense of the relative importance of a single human being in the face of creation. Therefore, vice, even if not consciously perceived, will produce the impression arising from its vicious nature. It’s that simple.
Tag: literature
It Is Very Unpleasant to Witness…
It is very unpleasant to witness, while they are still alive, the example of these writers who end up losing their way through their involvement in politics. Success and talent attract attention; attention brings new friends, and these friends drag them into the ungrateful realm. When we see this in a deceased writer, the process seems less painful; we can simply ignore certain texts, or give them the little weight they deserve. When, however, the writer is still alive, we are not yet able to discern what will remain of his work. If we respect him, we want to read him, and the drastic change in his texts, the squandering of talent for so little, actually hurts. It is best not to give in to the impulse to speak ill of him; after all, a great work, once published, is a tangible achievement that no misfortune and no wretch can ever take away from an author.
Fernando Pessoa’s “Triumphal Day”
The phenomenon that occurred on Fernando Pessoa’s “triumphal day” never ceases to amaze. It is a majestic mystery to which all artists must bow. One can rationalize it in part; one can even attempt to replicate it with good results by methodically following predefined steps during the creative process. However, even if the process proves fruitful, nothing can be done to guarantee maximum power in the final act. This seems independent and sovereign: it occurs when and how it pleases. And perhaps it is for the best that it does so, because it prevents the author from falling into arrogance and considering himself the absolute master of the enigmatic act of creation.
Dangerous Writers
There is certainly some truth to the claim that there are dangerous writers, capable of transferring the bulk of their inner struggles to the reader. But these same writers tend to have a very different effect on readers who are already troubled. Sometimes, it is with them that the latter engage in the relationships that life has denied him, and sometimes these relationships are fundamental to him. Thus, where for some there is obvious danger, for him there is consolation, trust, and understanding. Through such writers, he discovers that his hidden anguish, intense though never expressed, is in fact a common experience. And, upon discovering this, he will carry forever a sense of gratitude.