✹ For today's Wisdom Letter, we have carefully curated five bite-sized quotes from the Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890).
Quote № 01:
“Someone has a great fire in his soul and nobody ever comes to warm themselves at it, and passers-by see nothing but a little smoke at the top of the chimney and then go on their way.”
— Vincent van Gogh
Quote № 02:
“Find things beautiful as much as you can, most people find too little beautiful.”
— Vincent van Gogh
Quote № 03:
“What is true is that I have at times earned my own crust of bread, and at other times a friend has given it to me out of the goodness of his heart. I have lived whatever way I could, for better or for worse, taking things just as they came. It is true that I have forfeited the trust of various people, it is true that my financial affairs are in a sorry state, it is true that the future looks rather bleak, it is true that I might have done better, it is true that I have wasted time when it comes to earning a living, it is true that my studies are in a fairly lamentable and appalling state, and that my needs are greater, infinitely greater than my resources. But does that mean going downhill and doing nothing?”
— Vincent van Gogh
Quote № 04:
“I must continue to follow the path I take now. If I do nothing, if I study nothing, if I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it — keep going, keep going come what may.”
— Vincent van Gogh
Quote № 05:
“So please don't think that I am renouncing anything, I am reasonably faithful in my unfaithfulness and though I have changed, I am the same, and what preys on my mind is simply this one question: what am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way, how can I become more knowledgeable and study some subject or other in depth?”
— Vincent van Gogh
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✺ Today’s Questions
Three philosophical questions to foster your curiosity:
Question № 01:
Is it possible to love someone fully without truly knowing oneself, or does self-awareness play a crucial role in genuine love?
Question № 02:
Are there inherent ethical responsibilities associated with the possession and dissemination of knowledge?
Question № 03:
What defines a meaningful livelihood, and how does it differ from merely earning a paycheck?
✽ Thank you for reading today’s Wisdom Letter.
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The question is whether one can truly love another without first achieving a certain level of self-awareness. It's a rather perplexing query, one that requires us to delve into the very depths of the human psyche.
I would posit that self-awareness, that is to say, a keen understanding of one's own thoughts, desires, and motivations, is indeed a sine qua non for genuine love. For how can one hope to fully embrace another if one remains a stranger to oneself?
Without the illuminating light of self-knowledge, we stumble blindly through the labyrinthine corridors of relationships, grasping at illusory gratifications and fleeting satisfactions. We become, in essence, mere passengers in the vessel of love, rather than navigators charting a course towards profound connection.
Self-awareness enables us to communicate our needs and desires with clarity and conviction, thus fostering an atmosphere of honest discourse and mutual understanding. It allows us to set healthy boundaries, ensuring that the love we give and receive is not tainted by the pernicious influences of codependency or emotional exploitation.
However, it would be remiss to suggest that self-awareness is a static state, a lofty pinnacle to be conquered before one can embark on the journey of love. Rather, it is an ongoing process, a continuous unfolding of the self that is both enriched and accelerated by the very act of loving another.
While self-awareness is undoubtedly a crucial factor in achieving genuine love, it is not an absolute prerequisite. The willingness to engage in the courageous work of self-discovery, both individually and within the sacred space of a relationship, is perhaps the most essential ingredient in the alchemy of love.
So beautiful.. This world truly wasn't meant for someone as beautiful as Vincent (Don McLean). His paintings are truly beautiful and inspiring, his life-story heartbreaking. I am currently reading his letters to his brother Theo... so much heart, so much wisdom..