“Individualism was romantically medieval in its belief in the infinite, cosmic importance of each single creature, from which came the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, the theory of geocentrism and astrology. On the other hand, individualism was a matter of liberal humanism, which tended toward anarchy and wanted at all costs to protectContinue reading “RKS Literature: Individualism a Word for All Seasons”
Tag Archives: German literature
RKS Literature: Both God and Nature Unjust (Thomas Mann)
“God and nature were both unjust, they had their favourites, chose to be gracious at random, adorned one man with precarious honours and the next with an easy, but ordinary fate. And for the man that would act? For him justice was, on the one hand, a paralyzing weakness, the very essence of doubt, andContinue reading “RKS Literature: Both God and Nature Unjust (Thomas Mann)”
RKS Literature: What is Love?
“Love is simply itself, both as a subtle affirmation of life and as the highest passion: love is our sympathy with organic life, the touchingly lustful embrace of what is destined to decay-caritas is assuredly found in the most admirable and most depraved passions. Irresolute? But in God’s good name, leave the meaning of loveContinue reading “RKS Literature: What is Love?”
RKS Literature: Meeting Death
“I know death. I’m one of his old employees. He’s overrated believe me. I can assure you there’s almost nothing to him. The drudgeries that do on occasion precede death can hardly be credited to him, since they just prove that someone is alive and kicking and may lead back to life and health. ButContinue reading “RKS Literature: Meeting Death”
RKS Literature: Not So True to His Stated Beliefs!
“Well he said a great many things about money, the soul of the sate, as he put it, and spoke out against property, because it’s thievery, and against capitalist wealth in general, which he said, I believe, was fuel for the fires of hell-at least if I’m mistaken that’s how he put it-and sang theContinue reading “RKS Literature: Not So True to His Stated Beliefs!”
RKS Literature: Opinions vs Duty
“I was paying attention you see, but none of it was clear, instead, the more they talked the more confused I got. That’s how it always is. When people talk and about opinions, the result is always confusion. I’m telling you, it doesn’t matter what sort of opinions a man has, but whether he isContinue reading “RKS Literature: Opinions vs Duty”
RKS Literature: Snow Being More Than One Can Stand!
“And all the guests declared they could not stand to see any more snow, it disgusted them, summer alone had more than satisfied them in that regard, nothing but masses of snow, day in, day out, mounds of snow, whole slopes of snow-it was more than any human being could stand, deadly to both mindContinue reading “RKS Literature: Snow Being More Than One Can Stand!”
RKS Literature: Do You Want to Be Cared for By a Sick Doctor?
“A warm relationship between doctor and patient is certainly to be welcomed, and there is something to the proposition that only he who suffers can be the guide and healer of the suffering. But can someone truly be the intellectual master of a power to which he himself is enslaved. Can he liberate if heContinue reading “RKS Literature: Do You Want to Be Cared for By a Sick Doctor?”
RKS Literature: Looking Forward to Funerals!
“I think of a coffin as an absolutely lovely piece of furniture, even when it’s empty, and if there is someone lying in it, it’s quite sublime in my eyes. There’s something so edifying about funerals-I’ve sometime thought that when we need a little spiritual uplift, we should attend funerals rather than church. People wearContinue reading “RKS Literature: Looking Forward to Funerals!”
RKS Literature: A Tobacco Addict in 1924 Speaks
“ I don’t understand how someone can not be a smoker-why it’s like robbing oneself of the best part of life, so as to speak, or at least of an absolutely first-rate pleasure. When I wake up I look forward to be able to smoke all day, and when I eat, I look forward toContinue reading “RKS Literature: A Tobacco Addict in 1924 Speaks”
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