/lit/ - Literature

>>12443531
The concept of "life-affirming" is inherently vague. Does not every view point affirm something about life in some way? There are no inherently valueless beliefs. Even the suicidal nihilist has something which he cannot let go of, which he points to within himself saying, "Look, this cannot be denied!" causing him to forsake all other forms of satisfaction. Evidently he is satisfied by the reasoning of some argument, or some belief, or conviction which he has that has persuaded him to such a degree that it swirls around him incessantly, whispering words to him which he cannot dispel. The sobbing father who has lost a child, who is subsequently consumed by a darkness and misery cannot be called a "life-denier", even if he writes some condemnation of it, calling it cruel or unfair; quite to the contrary, we would have to admit that his depression is tied to the fact that he very much affirmed something in life, the value, the spirit of his child which he found in it. The conception "life-affirming" is, again, deceptive, precisely because rarely do we affirm life itself, or everything which life holds, but rather, something particular, which in fact causes us to become antagonistic toward every other form of life. Only the ideal sage, who others would see as a madman, might affirm everything in life, every tragedy and transient pleasure, every man, woman, and child from the sweetest child to the treacherous killer. Ironically, this philosopher would be called a denier of life, most of all by the diligent mother who prizes her own child above every other, even to the point of hostility. Therefore, I say, the most "life-affirming" books would have to be those written by the wisest, which yet often taste bitter to us on account of our selfish will which does not want to sacrifice itself for the good of others, or the good of God, or the good of morality.

>>12354318
Describe your voice to me. Is it loud and passionate, or is it timid and gentle? Perhaps it is lined with deep conviction, or it retains a childish stutter. Good! One must have continuity with one's childhood, before the swift deluge of passion took the reigns! One thing is certain, your utterances and phrases, however elegantly they be dressed, shall be relentlessly worn down by time and use; hundreds of years from now, your story will be in miserable shape: battered and broken, threadbare and ragged--none have been spared mishandling by the world! Yet one thing remains, immaterial and untouchable--yes, because it is not a garment, but the nakedness underneath--the truth within! Can not this element save the meanest tongue from time's terrible siege? And without it is not the most gorgeous verse nothing but hollow coat and furs?

Fear not to imitate. If, in a supernal court, each author were brought to the stand and asked how much he owed to voices past, to ancients towering in the darkening days of old--how he would fall to his knees, and weep! Asking not to be remembered or revered! Asking to have his name dashed out from among the greats! And yet, if we indulged them, look how the list of authors would dwindle to nothing--how great is each man's debt to time immemorial! Dear friend, fix your eyes to heaven, so that when you become marble your gaze will stay upon't for eternity!

>>12211029
Where shall you flee, OP? What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world if he lose his own soul? Turn and face the horror and do not avert your eyes. Witness the gruesome belly of this world, this incestuous cosmos. Behold, and be edified.