Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00

Subject: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 09:20 AM

Reading some remarks of the German writer Goethe in his old age discussing himself as a young writer. He says (I paraphrase) that what makes a writer unique is not just his or her good things, but also their limitations -- their limitations are part of the shape of their character, like the shape of a country's borders. What makes a young writer interesting is the interplay between their aspirations and expectations, and the ignorance they have about life. The older reader knows more about some things, but is amused and challenged by the mix of potential newness as a perspective on the old world, and the ironic knowledge that some things (like growing older, not necessarily wiser) are going to happen whatever the young artist thinks.

He goes on to suggest that in some ways the limitations of the older writer begin to match more closely the boundaries of all life itself, rather than just the boundaries of human life -- and that is why the greatest writers and artists (Yeats, Titian, etc.) deepen into something akin to the voice of God. But he does not make the point that he himself has changed limitations and aspirations, and that his own character as an older writer is different, and yet still unique. He is, as we all are, blind to the strengths and limits of his current, later self: but is pretty good at diagnosing himself, when young.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 11:13 AM

Or maybe, he modestly declines to include himself outright among those who have deepened into something akin to the voice of God.

"He is, as we all are, blind to the strengths and limits of his current, later self: but is pretty good at diagnosing himself, when young." Peter, this is very much the statement of a young man. I have found that as I age (and as friends and acquaintances age) I am pleased to discover my strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge helps me to define myself and more importantly enables me to focus more clearly on my goals. This is not the same as becoming more conservative or even more realistic, it is knowing what matters. And it means having the ability to be amused at the the idealism of youth. It seems to me (and it has been years since I read Goethe) that all of this is implied in his discussion of himself as a young man.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: Mbo
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:04 PM

2 favorite Goethe quotes of mine:
"When they ask me 'What are the people like here?' I have the urge to tell them 'The same as everywhere else!'"

and

"The nobility should get off the sidewalk for US! We're the genuises here!"

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: MMario
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:05 PM

Mbo - I heard a mud begger say that just last weekend. Little did I know who he was quoting.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: tar_heel
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 12:39 PM

Dust Thou art, to dust returneth!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 01:05 PM

Well, you may be right, Sinsull. I think that there are new blindnesses that come over us -- Goethe seems to me to have been in some ways much more obtuse when he was older and famous -- he lost some of his penetration. I remember Graham Greene saying that he was about to revise one of his earlier novels and he suddenly thought about what his younger self would have thought about this fussy old man who had forgotten all he had ever known about being young tampering with his work.

yours, Peter

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 02:21 PM

I wonder what would happen if the older writer fell madly head over heels in love and all of a sudden he found himself looking more like the young writer again. I wonder what would happen then?

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: Peter T.
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 02:42 PM

(he would regain some of his penetration -- sorry, can't avoid the cheap joke. I tried, I wrestled with it for some minutes, but I just couldn't resist, it is a personal limitation, apologies.) yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 02:56 PM

Ah, but would he also regain some of the stamina of youth to go with that, Peter? (Too good to pass up!**BG**)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 03:05 PM

He would make a total ass of himself and love every minute of it.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: tar_heel
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 03:06 PM

penetration huh ,peter????wow,what a cheap shot to scatter among the threads here!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day - Aug 11,00
From: tar_heel
Date: 11 Aug 00 - 10:54 PM

it was june 15th,and remembering how you pulled all those sand dollars up,from the ocean floor with your toes..........and since then,you have been my one and only, Sandytoes!