July 2010
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Philia, agape and other little things…
The Greeks used three words to describe love: eros, carnal love; philia, friendship; and agape, mature and fulfilled 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… The… Continue reading
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The columnist's hatred
I've titled this article "The Hatred of the Columnist." The French columnist—because it truly is a French affliction—is such that he invents himself as master of time, of the world, and above all, of how it's doing. It's unbearable. Purge the columnists and pluck out the buds! All these columnists gathered together are nothing more than a pub talk.… Continue reading
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Haiku Lessons
To write a haiku, one must absolutely respect four qualities: Sabi: simplicity and awareness of the passage of time and its alteration of things and beings; Shōri: the ability to suggest a love for humble things; Hosomi: the discovery of the beauty of everyday life; Karumi: humor that lightens the… Continue reading
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One more stopover…
Alvaro Mutis is a truly great writer and, what's more, one of my dearest friends. Since he hasn't published any books for a few years now, I thought I'd pay him a small tribute through quotes from "The Last Stop of the Tramp Steamer," this short novel brimming with… Continue reading