The Meaning of Meaning
It’s hard, sometimes, to be a writer within the boundaries of others, to know things that are not secrets yet cannot be told, to be the guardian of truths that cannot be spoken. The weight of the night seems to magnify the burden and sleep will not be my salvation this time around. Let me share but hints of what occupies my mind and keeps me gazing at the stars.
That the greatest conquest is the conquest of fear.
That the greatest courage is the courage to start over.
That the greatest virtue is to care deeply.
That the greatest ignorance is ignorance of beauty.
That the greatest sin is indifference.
That the greatest reward for a life well lived is the knowledge that it meant something.
~
Time for a nocturnal drive. There’s got to be something out there.
“When I have a terrible need of – shall I say the word – religion, then I go out and paint the stars.” –Vincent Van Gogh
Category: Rants and Raves
Beautiful words! I know I cannot completely understand as these are “guarded truths”, but definitely worth pondering!
Thank you for that. A beautiful start to my day.
Well stated and thank you.
I have often thought in order to be able to express these types of profound thoughts a person has to have experienced great turmoil in their life in order to realize these basic truths. Maybe not. I hope not. But I do wonder.
this is good.
And I mean that, really good.
So good that at first i thought it was a quote of some great poet.
It is hard, in art, to get past the point where you are trying and reach the point where you are doing, the point where it seems natural. It seems that you have reached that point, not only in photography, but in writing as well. For that I commend and envy you.
So to repeat what I have set, this is good.
One of the wisest lines I ever read…
That the greatest reward for a life well lived is the knowledge that it meant something.
Guy,
I have been where you are, where the words flow from the heart. I know that state and hope all is well.
Within the boundaries of others is not where a creative being chooses to exist, the limitations would be as having sight but being told to not open your eyes. Truths not only needs to be spoken but must be.
If I may, my small take;
The greatest conquest is to choose life
The greatest courage is to change the things you can
The greatest serenity is to except what you cannot change
The greatest wisdom is to know the difference.
The greatest sin, lack of humility
The greatest ignorance is that of selfishness
The greatest reward for a life well lived is not wanting to change a thing
Well said, Guy! I hope you enjoyed your drive and star gazing.
Enjoyed reading your musings here. A few times people accused my father of being more of a philosopher than a photographer and he would just smile gently as though they were missing something, not him. Later in his career people elevated him to near saint or prophet status for the same thing.
“The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.” Sophocles
We’d all be less overcome if we would heed Brad Mangas’ advice. You want encouragement, I recommend you follow the blog of Libby Ryder “Don’t Waste Your Cancer.” Only 26 years young. When I read of her plight and her extraordinary faith, I can’t help but rearrange my own thoughts.
Just wonderful!