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…
Tag: philosophy
Loftiness Manifests Itself, Above All, in Adversity
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.
“I Believe in the Future of Mankind”
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!”.
The Man Assumes Himself to Be Unfair, but Never Unintelligent
The man assumes himself to be unfair, rude and bad character, but never unintelligent. That is his only intolerable humiliation. Even the lowest of the low—and this one especially—thinks he is intelligent, or at least smart. Make the world an auditorium and ask only the beasts to raise their hands: not a single hand will be raised. The man—himself and his vanity—does not allow for this possibility. To do otherwise would be to consciously level oneself to an animal—something inadmissible, and impossible when he lacks conscience.