There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
We might remind ourselves that criticism is as inevitable as breathing, and that we should be none the worse for articulating what passes in our minds when we read a book and feel an emotion about it, for criticizing our own minds in their work of criticism.
Interpretation
Criticism is a natural part of thinking and analyzing, especially when engaging with art like literature.
T. S. Eliot highlights the inevitability of criticism as a fundamental aspect of human thought. When we engage with literature or art, it is not only acceptable but essential to express our feelings and thoughts critically. By doing so, we not only enrich our understanding of the work but also engage in a dialogue with our own perceptions and emotional responses.
In practice
During a book club meeting, we can use this quote to discuss the importance of sharing our thoughts and feelings about a book.
There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.
I am an Anglo-Catholic in religion, a classicist in literature and a royalist in politics.
If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?
For I have known them all already, known them all— Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
My father was a man of great charity towards the poor, and compassion for the sick, and also for servants; so much so, that he never could be persuaded to keep slaves, for he pitied them so much: and a slave belonging to one of his brothers being once in his house, was treated by him with as much tenderness as his own children.
Every account of a higher power that I've seen described, of all religions that I've seen, include many statements with regard to the benevolence of that power. When I look at the universe and all the ways the universe wants to kill us, I find it hard to reconcile that with statements of beneficence.
But perhaps the most important lesson I learned is that there are no walls between humans and the elephants except those that we put up ourselves, and that until we allow not only elephants, but all living creatures their place in the sun, we can never be whole ourselves.
Wait a minute! Wait a minute! I figured this out. I know what's wrong with what we've done in Iraq. We've been following time as it goes forward. What a classic mistake. Linear time is so pre-9-11.
Every institution is inherently demonic.
Any effort to make the death penalty speedier and less costly - more 'efficient' - will inevitably make it less just.
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