July 2010
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Philia, agapê and other little things…
The Greeks used three words to describe love: eros, carnal love; philia, friendship; and agape, mature, accomplished love. Is love only there to comfort us? Shouldn't we seek to give meaning to love, as to every event in life? Only meaning saves the human condition. Meaning... Continue reading
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The chronicler's hatred
I call this article "The Hatred of the Columnist." The French columnist—because it is indeed a French evil—is how he invents himself master of time, of the world, and above all of how it is. It is unbearable. Expunge the columnists and pluck the buds! All these columnists gathered together form nothing other than a Café du Commerce. Continue reading
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Haiku Lessons
To write a haiku, it is essential to respect four qualities: Sabi: simplicity and awareness of the passing of time which alters things and beings Sh?ri: the capacity to suggest the love of humble things Hosomi: the discovery of the beauty of everyday life Karumi: humor which lightens the Continue reading
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Another stopover...
Alvaro Mutis is a great writer and, what's more, one of my dearest friends. Since he hasn't published any books for a few years, I thought I'd pay him a little tribute with quotes from "The Last Stop of the Tramp Steamer," a short novel full of Continue reading