Tag: philosophy

It is always a pleasure to reflect on those moments when expectation crashes at high speed into a concrete wall, completely destroying itself. There are few moments so favorable to a fair reflection, to a sensible examination of reality as those in which the present is disappointing and the future discouraging. Perhaps this is why pessimism is, in philosophy, the most consistent posture: because when it is based on such strong and obvious experiences, it is almost irrefutable. Moments like these have the power to impose, all at once, humility and silence.

Envy is invincible. Perhaps, among all human feelings, only envy has this absolutely inflexible character. We could observe it from two points of view: that of the one who exercises it, and that of the one who suffers it. The envious person is a slave to this feeling which, if not stimulated, arises and strengthens spontaneously. Even if he wants to overcome it, he cannot do so without disfiguring himself; therefore, the most he can do is to engage in a continuous combat, and continue despite of defeats. As for the envied, that is, the patient of envy, what can he do? This one, no doubt, finds himself even more powerless in the face of the problem, and it seems that no action he may take will be able to annul it. He may resort to contempt, which is a reasonable solution, and will only deviate from the natural discomfort he is experiencing, but will never defeat the agent. In short: the difference, in both perspectives, seems to be simply reduced to two postures: that of those who incite, and that of those who avoid envy; in both cases, a difference of character only, not of results.

Life only seems monotonous to those who do not pay it enough attention. It is enough to register it to perceive it, if one’s eyes are not open enough, or if one’s memory fails. This is a truth that strikes one when one realizes it: suddenly, many seemingly banal singularities of the past, which have passed unnoticed, seem to make sense. Then, it becomes very difficult not to tend toward an almost mystical interpretation of reality, since immense effort is required to deny hidden connotations that reveal themselves to be realities infinitely more plausible to reasoning. In short: monotony, more often than not, is mere inattention.