Literature
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News from Ernest Hello about fear and its perfections
Fear in general, then, has perfections that evil does not. Perhaps the crucifixion was felt in a more terrible way in the Garden of Olives than on the cross. For on the cross, it was felt in reality. In the Garden of Olives, it was felt in spirit. Continue reading
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Antigone, rebellious and intimate (2/7. The funeral)
Part 2: The Funeral — "My dearest Ismene. I came this morning to tell you that I took care of everything. I used the same funeral directors for our two brothers. I couldn't choose, and since our brothers didn't leave any last wishes, I took matters into my own hands to Continue reading
Antigone , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , death , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
Antigone, rebellious and intimate (1/7. The family)
Part 1: The Family From the first reading of Antigone, an ambiguity sets in in the reader's mind. Does Antigone embody action or reaction? What moves Antigone? Reaction never exists by itself, whereas action needs no one; it legitimizes itself in the act. Action always inaugurates something. Unlike what is often Continue reading
Antigone , Charles Maurras , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
The meeting of Péguy and Lonsdale – Between heaven and earth
It's a little marvel that Michael Lonsdale invites us to with the show Between Heaven and Earth. A delight. Such nuggets always deserve to be given space. We must make room in the tumult, in the oppressed heart, in the life we dream of and forget to live. Live Continue reading
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In memoriam Alvaro Mutis
It was a year ago. Alvaro Mutis was returning to heaven. The immense Colombian writer deserves to be read and reread. This brilliant monarchist projected a bridge between old Europe and South America. His poems, his stories, his novels carry and carry our history through the figure of Maqroll el Gaviero, a solitary, disillusioned sailor. Continue reading
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Letter to my friend Alvaro Mutis
One day in the 90s, we were walking down the street, leaving the Hôtel des Saints-Pères, and Alvaro Mutis1 stopped dead in his tracks. We were almost at the corner of Rue de Grenelle, and he said to me: "Emmanuel, I have the impression that we walked like this together a long time ago in a street in Cadiz. And we Continue reading
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Alvaro Mutis on the monarchy
The paradox, quite painful for me, is that I was already a royalist from a very young age. I could almost say, since childhood. My first readings of history led me to look for where the monarchy came from and how it worked. I know perfectly well that the monarchy, as I understand it and as other eras have experienced it, is now unthinkable.[…] Continue reading
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Excerpt from Le Hussard. Poem by Alvaro Mutis
[…] The hundred-year-old must of wine, which is sprinkled with water in the cellars. The power of his arm and his bronze shadow. The stained-glass window that recounts his loves and recalls his last battle darkens a little more each day under the smoke of lamps fed with bad oil. Like the howl of a siren Continue reading
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Night. Poem by Alvaro Mutis
Fever attracts the song of an androgynous bird, opening the way to the insatiable pleasure that branches out and crosses the body of the earth. Oh! the fruitless navigation around the islands Where women offer the traveler the fresh balance of their breasts And the terrifying sound in the hollow of their hips! The tender skin Continue reading
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In the shadow of Ernesto Sabato
When Ernesto Sabato died on April 30th at the age of 99, he repeated to himself the words of Maria Zambrano: To die, that elusive action that is carried out by obedience, happens beyond reality, in another realm. In his house in Santos Lugarès ("Holy Places" near Buenos Aires), Ernesto Sabato obeyed this last injunction. He Continue reading
Argentina , stupidity , Catholicism , counter-revolution , Ernesto Sabato , war , history , forgiveness -
Newman and Socrates
The links between ancient Greek philosophy and Christianity are numerous. The most famous of the Greek precepts: Gnothi Seauton, "Know thyself," inscribed at Delphi, retains a certain mystery. Another part of the phrase has remained with us: "But not too much"... Know thyself... But not too much! Plato leads Socrates to reflect on the Delphic formula in Continue reading
Catholicism , ethics , ancient Greece , history , Newman , Notre-Dame du Lys , Plato , politically correct , priest , religion , Socrates , Zenit -
Japan book review
I just finished reading "The Mask of the Samurai," an essay by Aude Fieschi (Editions Philippe Picquier). It's an educational, well-written book that presents the different facets of the Samurai throughout the Japanese Middle Ages until its decline with the advent of modern Japan. Continue reading
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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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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