Time Out

“The worst pain a man can suffer: to have insight into much and power over nothing.”

– Herodotus

12 Comments

  1. Whitewall says

    Malcolm, moving has become suddenly difficult?

    Posted March 3, 2021 at 5:02 pm | Permalink
  2. Jason says

    Well, at least you have the privilege of voyaging with one of the greatest minds ever, the Father of History. Things really haven’t changed since the fifth century before Christ, have they?

    Posted March 4, 2021 at 2:10 pm | Permalink
  3. Malcolm says

    Robert,

    No, the house-sale project is moving along normally. (There’s a lot to organize, but that’s to be expected.)

    Really I am just at a bit of a loss as regards how to “be in the world” as the world currently is. I struggle a little at the moment with an unwelcome darkness of mood, and as you can see I haven’t had much to say here at the blog.

    I’m sure I’ll come round before long. I need to focus more on personal flourishing and less on watching the familiar cycles of history unfold before my weary eyes.

    Posted March 4, 2021 at 3:22 pm | Permalink
  4. Malcolm says

    Jason,

    Well, at least you have the privilege of voyaging with one of the greatest minds ever, the Father of History. Things really haven’t changed since the fifth century before Christ, have they?

    No. The wheel-ruts of human nature, and human folly, haven’t changed at all.

    Posted March 4, 2021 at 3:25 pm | Permalink
  5. JK says

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpWGafV0vOQ

    Nine or so minutes of discussion which illustrates perfectly Herodotus’ observation.

    As if any of us needed it.

    Posted March 5, 2021 at 10:44 am | Permalink
  6. Whitewall says

    Democrats are running DC with maniacal paranoia. Like they got away with election theft and they know we know it. The Jan. 6 riot has unnerved them. Every day, Democrats look across the Capitol grounds to see any signs of Him. “And I looked, and behold, a pale horse, & his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him”.

    We need to take up residence in their heads.

    Posted March 5, 2021 at 12:59 pm | Permalink
  7. JK says

    We need to take up residence in their heads.

    Consider it done Whitewall.

    https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2021/03/tie-a-presidential-inauguration-support-ribbon.php

    Posted March 6, 2021 at 12:57 pm | Permalink
  8. JK says

    THE MASS of men serve the State thus, not as men mainly, but as machines, with their bodies. They are the administrative state, flag officers, Pentagon denizens, gaolers, constables, posse comitatus, etc. In most cases there is no free exercise whatever of the judgment or of the moral sense; but they put themselves on a level with wood and earth and stones; and wooden men can perhaps be manufactured that will serve the purpose as well. Such command no more respect than men of straw or a lump of dirt. They have the same sort of worth only as horses and dogs. Yet such as these even are commonly esteemed good citizens.

    Others—as most bureaucrats, legislators, politicians, lawyers, ministers, and office-holders—serve the State chiefly with their heads; and, as they rarely make any moral distinctions, they are as likely to serve the devil, without intending it, as God.

    A very few, as heroes, patriots, martyrs, reformers in the great sense, and men, serve the State with their consciences also, and so necessarily resist it for the most part; and they are commonly treated as enemies by it.

    – Thoreau

    Posted March 7, 2021 at 10:22 am | Permalink
  9. mharko says

    I hear you, Malcolm. I think you are right to reorient your focus.
    Recently, I have been edified by the exchange b/w Jonathan Pageau and Jordan Peterson, and also the response to it from Fr. Josiah Trenham. Also have found some sane writing at Tablet magazine.
    The left will eat itself, and there will be destructive fallout all around us, some of it irrevocable and sea-changing with many innocents being the recipients of harm. A good time to cement and build local in-person relationships and activity. Gardening, art, music, books, grounding things.
    I like Herodotus, but I like to think beyond his word, with which I would take issue in the present case. Having insight into much and power over nothing is the human condition. Should we be so blessed as to have true insight, may we recall that the strength we need will be perfected in powerlessness. Or in an updated version: “rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice but to carry on.”

    Posted March 8, 2021 at 1:35 pm | Permalink
  10. Whitewall says

    “rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice but to carry on.”

    Ahh, CSN makes an appearance! Love it.

    Posted March 8, 2021 at 8:58 pm | Permalink
  11. JK says

    https://www.unz.com/akarlin/woke-mil/

    Sea-changing indeed.

    Posted March 9, 2021 at 1:14 pm | Permalink
  12. Whitewall says

    It is becoming frustrating not to be able to “put on paper” what I think about our current state of affairs. But I do find myself wishing these aspiring neo-communists would just pick up the pace and get on with it.

    Reaction is sorely needed. My better judgement prevents me from addressing that for now.

    Posted March 10, 2021 at 8:15 am | Permalink

Post a Comment

Your email is never shared. Required fields are marked *

*
*