In his essay "Of Solitude" (I, 39), Montaigne says something that I think is profound: "The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself." I don't think that's easy to do and I'm not sure how to do it. Any thoughts or suggestions?
I have a question from someone. He wants to know if he should post the next Mission today on Chet's blog or wait for Christmas eve afternoon. He wanted me to ask you because you are one of the main characters in the Mission, as you well know, because you were there.
"To belong to oneself." For me that means to do what I believe in, not what someone else or 'society' thinks I should do. It means being true to your own beliefs and your own sense of honor. You have to have a sense of honor first I suppose.
Nancy: I think that is exactly it. In the same essay he also writes things like "The evil means men use in our day to push themselves show clearly that the end is not worth much." He's writing in the 16th century but I think that applies today as well. "Virtue is content with itself, without rules, without words, without deeds." Men (and I don't think I mean human here) always seem to seek immortality. I don't know that women do. (The second half of the Gilgamesh epic is about his quest for immortality even though he's constantly being told it's impossible.)
I have a question from someone. He wants to know if he should post the next Mission today on Chet's blog or wait for Christmas eve afternoon. He wanted me to ask you because you are one of the main characters in the Mission, as you well know, because you were there.
ReplyDeleteI want to wait. If you post it today it will be ALL OVER already.
ReplyDeleteI think Christmas eve afternoon might be better. Some of the Plunderers may still be a bit befuddled after yesterday's no post.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteHe says Christmas Eve afternoon is when he originally planned to dump it out there. This will give him time to correct all his spelling and grammar.
ReplyDelete"To belong to oneself." For me that means to do what I believe in, not what someone else or 'society' thinks I should do. It means being true to your own beliefs and your own sense of honor.
ReplyDeleteYou have to have a sense of honor first I suppose.
Nancy: I think that is exactly it. In the same essay he also writes things like "The evil means men use in our day to push themselves show clearly that the end is not worth much." He's writing in the 16th century but I think that applies today as well. "Virtue is content with itself, without rules, without words, without deeds." Men (and I don't think I mean human here) always seem to seek immortality. I don't know that women do. (The second half of the Gilgamesh epic is about his quest for immortality even though he's constantly being told it's impossible.)
ReplyDeleteTest. Hi, Everybody. Thanks, Bee. This will be fun. XOXOXO bluecat
ReplyDeleteHi Bluecat!
ReplyDelete