Just A Black & White Day In The Canyon — Image by kenne
“We are great fools. He has spent his life in idleness,” we say;
“I have done nothing today.”
What, have you not lived?
That is not only the fundamental but the most illustrious of your occupations.
“If I had been placed in a position to manage great affairs,
I would have shown what I could do.”
Have you been able to think out and manage your own life?
You have done the GREATEST TASK OF ALL.
To show and exploit her resources Nature has no need of fortune;
she shows herself equally on all levels and behind a curtain as well as without one.
To compose our character is our duty,
NOT TO COMPOSE BOOKS,
AND TO WIN,
NOT BATTLES AND PROVINCES,
BUT ORDER AND TRANQUILITY IN OUR CONDUCT.
Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately.
ALL OTHER THINGS,
ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, AT MOST.”
— from the essay, Of Experience by Michel de Montaigne
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