THE Philosopher
I fish because I love to; Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; Because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and… – Trout Magic
I fish for the joy of beautiful, tranquil settings, escaping crowded, ugly places and societal pressures. It's a delightful rebellion, connecting with honest trout through patience. In nature, I find solitude, simple pleasures, and fun, free from trivial concerns, hoping maybe to catch a mermaid.
THE Philosopher
George Fitzhugh argued that "free society is theoretically impracticable," because "the unrestricted exploitation of so-called free society is more oppressive to the laborer than domestic slavery." He contended that the liberal ideals of self-ownership and…
George Fitzhugh argued free society oppresses laborers more than slavery, which protects the vulnerable, ensures security, and fosters order, unlike the North's harmful laissez-faire system.
THE Philosopher
I had the distinct, nay, the solemn duty of informing a young student's mother that her son was to be conscripted into a punctuation practicum. We spoke not of mere days but of weeks of restless, soul-crushing semicolon submersion, such an unyielding siege…
I told a student's mom her son had to join a tough punctuation class focusing on semicolons for weeks. He'd come out a grammar pro. She said, "Hi Israel! I love semicolons!!"
THE Philosopher
Nationalism is now a hallmark of right-wing ideology. However, in the 19th century, nationalism was a revolutionary left-wing force, driving movements like the Italian Risorgimento, the American Revolution, and, perhaps most strikingly, the French Revolution.…
Nationalism and libertarianism, originally left-wing revolutionary ideas in the 19th century that aimed to empower people and promote individual autonomy, have been co-opted by the right as defenses of tradition. Right-wing adherents unknowingly champion ideas that once sought to dismantle the civilizations they now defend.
THE Philosopher
Someone help me. How does this make sense? How can you stand in a seat? Does not being in a seat require that one be sitting? In the parlour of life, where each soul is seated securely, one might ponder: Does not the very act of occupying such a position demand…
The passage questions the paradox of standing in a seat, traditionally meant for sitting, exploring whether occupying a seat requires sitting or if standing defies its purpose. It portrays this act as a symbolic rebellion against convention, probing deeper philosophical implications about existence, identity, and societal norms, using the seat as a metaphor for challenging established order.
THE Philosopher
There was a harlot named Thais, so beautiful that for her sake many people impoverished themselves. Her lovers used always to be quarrelling, and several young men spilt their blood on her doorstep. When Abba Paphnutius heard of it, he took a secular dress…
Thais, a harlot, repented after Abba Paphnutius confronted her. She burned her sinful earnings, lived in a sealed cell for three years, praying for mercy. Paphnutius confirmed her forgiveness through a vision, freed her, and she died peacefully fifteen days later.
THE Philosopher
Among the ancient gods of Naucratis in Egypt there was one to whom the bird called the ibis is sacred. The name of that divinity was Theuth, and it was he who first discovered number and calculation, geometry and astronomy, as well as the games of checkers…
Theuth, inventor of writing, told King Thamus it would boost wisdom and memory. Thamus argued it would weaken memory, relying on external symbols, and give only the appearance of wisdom, not true knowledge.
THE Philosopher
I was buying some eggs from a little roadside self-help farm stand. They were $1 a dozen. Got my three dozen eggs out and was depositing my money in the little box. The farmer then comes out, and we get to talking. Eventually, I ask why he doesn't raise the…
Buying eggs at a farm stand for $1/dozen, I suggested the farmer raise prices. He replied he only sells extras, the price is traditional, and changing the sign is too much work.