Tag: philosophy

The optimist lacks, above all, a sense of humor. If he smiles, he does so as long as his “convictions” are not attacked. He is often nothing but a fanatic, an apostle of belief in a bright future, incapable of making fun of his repeated failures. It seems paradoxical to sprout humor from pessimism, but it is only appearance: pessimism springs from reasoning, and humor from the modesty imposed by conclusions on the intellectually honest. The optimist does not laugh at himself—therefore, he generally does not know how to think. The experiment is very simple: ridicule, for fun, a guy who claims that the future holds a huge pot of gold for him—immediately his veins will throb with anger. Make similar to a pessimist: call him a grouch, a vulture, or a complainer—and naturally a broad smile will break out on his face.

Buddhists have understood the mechanics of this world, where everything that is alive dies, albeit slowly, albeit in disguise through an inevitable cycle. Impresses that it is so difficult to face death as a natural and necessary episode. Putting stones on the past: this is the rare virtue, also called maturity, which is nothing but the ability to accept the present. Everything is always in movement, every state is necessarily transitory, what lives today will die, and what was is not…

Loftiness manifests itself, above all, in adversity. When the wind blows in favor, it is easy to use it as a mask. When facing setbacks, however, the masks fall, and the lofty one is distinguished by the superb virtue of silence. Firm posture, nerves of steel, and resignation. Let the storm come, any storm! Loftiness is all about never complaining.

A congress that brought together all those who claim to believe in the future of mankind would undoubtedly end in a terrible riot. Heated discussions, blood-stained faces and angry looks: this is the only way it could happen. The psychology of someone who worships words like “future” and “progress” is very simple. This person takes himself seriously, believes in himself, has “convictions.” To believe in the future of mankind is to believe in oneself as a transforming agent, to have solutions and want to propose them, defend them, fighting whoever presents opposition. “I believe in the future of mankind,” says someone, and the intelligent listener already infers “and you should believe too!”.