I don't suppose that I know more about life than anyone of my age, but it seems to me that, in the capacity of an interlocutor, a book is more reliable than a friend or a beloved.
Interpretation
Books provide a reliable source of knowledge and reflection compared to human relationships.
In this quote, Joseph Brodsky suggests that while he does not claim to have superior knowledge about life, he recognizes the value of books as trustworthy companions for conversation and understanding. Unlike friends or loved ones, who may be influenced by emotions or personal biases, books offer a consistent and objective perspective on life's complexities, making them invaluable tools for introspection and growth.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of reading, one might say, 'As Joseph Brodsky eloquently put it, a book is more reliable than a friend.'
Basically, it's hard for me to assess myself, a hardship not only prompted by the immodesty of the enterprise, but because one is not capable of assessing himself, let alone his work. However, if I were to summarize, my main interest is the nature of time. That's what interests me most of all. What time can do to a man.
One always pulls the trigger out of self-interest and quotes history to avoid responsibility or pangs of conscience.
On the whole, infinity is a fairly palpable aspect of this business of publishing, if only because it extends a dead author's existence beyond the limits he envisioned, or provides a living author with a future he cannot measure. In other words, this business deals with the future which we all prefer to regard as unending.
The invention of ethical and political doctrines, which blossomed into our own social sciences, is a product of times when things appeared manageable. The same goes for the criticism of those doctrines, though as a voice from the past, this criticism proved prophetic.
Try not to pay attention to those who will try to make life miserable for you. There will be a lot of those - in the official capacity as well as the self-appointed.
To put it in plain language, Russia is that country where the name of a writer appears not on the cover of his book, but on the door of his prison cell.
Be yourself and the people that don't mind are the people that matter.
Shallow brooks murmur most, deep and silent slide away.
The only happy author in this world is he who is below the care of reputation.
Goe and catche a falling starre, Get with child a mandrake root, Tell me, where all past yeares are, Or who cleft the Divel's foot. Teach me to hear Mermaides' singing, Or to keep of envies stinging, And finde What winde Serves to advance an honest minde.
Don't stumble over something behind you.
Sanity returns (in most cases) when the book is closed.
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