It is not difficult to discern what is in accordance with or contrary to one’s own nature; what is difficult is to resolve not to go against it, and to act in accordance with that resolution. The devil is always lurking; the will is always in danger of betraying itself. And although, at times, everything seems very clear, no one is better than ourselves at convincing ourselves of the insignificance of the impending mistake. To commit it, one need only let oneself be carried away, something we also readily wish to absolve of guilt, but which, after all, we know is not without it. Inertia is always easy, but it does not lead to a destination one can be proud to reach.
Tag: philosophy
“I Am a Philosopher; I Do Philosophy”
“I am a philosopher; I do philosophy”—says the builder of imaginary castles, just as the one who plays at creating, arranging, and tampering with words says: “I am a writer; I do literature.” And although both, perhaps, feel justified by the status their craft confers upon them, the truth is that nothing they produce has any existential meaning. Pointing this out seems silly, but the years pass and life presses for a true justification. The philosopher, the writer, cannot find it in the past, having dedicated it to external motivations, detached from themselves. So they repent; perhaps still with time to redeem it, but having already left behind the harmful influence and example.
Some Ideas Must First Be Conceived…
Some ideas must first be conceived before they can be understood; lived before their origins can finally be grasped. Therefore, if one’s first encounter with them is through the written word, misunderstanding is inevitable. When, however, the opposite occurs, it is curious to note that an idea, even if already conceived and experienced firsthand, can remain hidden in the mind, without manifesting itself, as if it had not yet been properly assimilated. Then comes contact with its precise and detailed written exposition. The mind is enlightened; it grasps the meaning and the motivation. And it realizes that, without prior experience, it could never have understood it.
Although It Has Been Said Time and Time Again…
Although it has been said time and time again, it is necessary to repeat this truth, knowing that it will continue to be ignored by most: intuition comes first and is independent of its verbal expression. It must be said repeatedly because there are always examples of those who know, but cannot explain what they know; and not knowing how to explain it, or failing to explain it satisfactorily, does not mean they do not know. In truth, the problem often lies less in the explanation than in the listener. But it makes no difference: only perceives this he who, at least once in his life, has had a sudden understanding of something, an instant and reliable understanding that allowed him to judge and decide correctly, but whose foundations eluded rationalization. Those who have never experienced it, or have not noticed experiencing it, would do well to be aware of this possibility, so that they do not err by mistaking the ability to explain for knowledge.