“There are two very clear indications of real science and real art: the first inner sign is that a scholar or an artist works not for profit, but for sacrifice, for his calling; the second, outer sign is that his works are understandable to all people. Real science studies and makes accessible that knowledge which people at that period of history think important, and real art transfers this truth from the domain of knowledge to the domain of feelings. Creating art is not as elevated a thing as many people guess, but certainly it is a useful and kind thing to do, especially if it brings people together and arouses kind feelings in them.”
—A Calendar of Wisdom - Leo Tolstoy on the meaning of life
“All money is a matter of belief.”
—Moral philosopher Adam Smith, pioneer of political economy, was born 289 years ago today. Celebrate with The Ascent of Money – BBC’s financial history of world.Sarah seems to think I am good at summarizing books and history...
Can that be my job? Can I just make comical and crappily done sparknotes and spend the rest of my life making history and literature fun to high school students?
Is that an option? Cuz that would be awesome.
“Bertha managed to escape her attic prison and was all ‘set fire to
the raineverything!!!’ Then, in true form, she jumped off the roof.”Or.
Robespierre was all ” Kill ALL the traitors!!!” and Danton was all “Killing the citizens will not bring you peace.” To which Robespierre replied “I do what I want!” and proceeded to kill everyone anyway.
At least that is my basic understanding of the Reign of Terror.
Not many people realise that it is, in fact, the suffering of the child inside them. Everybody tries to protect this vulnerable two three four five six seven eight year old inside, and to acquire skills and aptitudes for dealing with the situations that threaten to overwhelm it. So everybody develops a whole armour of secondary self, the artificially constructed being that deals with the outer world, and the crush of circumstances. And when we meet people this is what we usually meet.
Ted Hughes gold (via explore-blog)
