When affairs get into a real tangle, it is best to sit still and let them straighten themselves out. Or, if one does not do that, simply to think no more about them. This is Philosophy. The true philosopher is the man who says “All right,” and goes to sleep in his arm-chair.
— P. G. Wodehouse, Mike
The Lady of the House will be quite amused to learn that she is the avatar of philosophy, the word of wu wei made flesh. Though I have grown in that direction myself, I still have a competitive spirit which bristles at being forced to alter my plans. I have a tendency to take setbacks as a personal insult, a slap with a glove. I am ready to duel with Reality itself to satisfy my honor, or at least to pummel it into submission. How many times do I emerge victorious? Not the point. What’s important is to fight well.
November 13, 2020 @ 8:11 pm
People who have met me and think of me as Type A have never met my Hermit, who appears Type B on the surface. What’s actually happening is that he has such an ardent desire for control that he necessarily maintains a small sphere of influence, whereas I seem to seek broad influence but I am only intrigued by how best to ride the wave of current circumstances.