There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music.
T. S. EliotRead
It is worth while dying, to find out what life is.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the idea that experiencing the depths of life, even to the point of death, can provide profound insights into existence.
In this quote, T. S. Eliot suggests that the ultimate sacrifice of one's life may be justified in the pursuit of understanding the true essence of life. It implies that life is filled with mysteries and observations that are so significant that some might consider it worth the ultimate price to uncover them. This philosophical perspective encourages deep contemplation about the purpose and meaning of our existence.
In practice
In a lecture about the philosophical perspectives on life and death.
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 allβ Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons, I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.
In the faint moonlight, the grass is singing
Who are you, Master?' he asked. 'Eh, what?' said Tom sitting up, and his eyes glinting in the gloom. 'Don't you know my name yet? That's the only answer. Tell me, who are you, alone, yourself and nameless?
To attain any assured knowledge about the soul is one of the most difficult things in the world.
If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.
It is the style of idealism to console itself for the loss of something old with the ability to gape at something new.
In Japan, I live in a little neighborhood in the middle of nowhere. I don't have a bicycle or a car or anything, so my only movement is within the boundaries of my feet. I feel there's a need for that kind of conscientious objection to the momentum of the world.
Whenever you see, in an official lectionary, the command to omit two or three verses, you can normally be sure that they contain words of judgment. Unless, of course, they are about sex.
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