Category Archives: Quotations

Things people said.

‘So Pure and Unobstructed by Metaphor’

Posted on September 17, 2023 by JMN

It’s so pure and so unobstructed by metaphor in a way that I find disarming and really courageous. (Fred Gibson) Fred Gibson’s phrase “unobstructed by metaphor” riveted me on first hearing (NYT Audio, “The xx Singer’s Solo Album Is Its … Continue reading →

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‘Her Faithful Subject. Picasso. Her Student’

Posted on September 13, 2023 by JMN

On the back of a plate that he gave to his mentor in 1961, the artist engraved a dedication: “For Suzanne Ramié. Her faithful subject. Picasso. Her student.” Guided by a woman in the south of France, Picasso had made … Continue reading →

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‘If You Hold Your Boot to Your Ear Like a Seashell’

Posted on September 11, 2023 by JMN

The blog Pacific Paratrooper makes a gusty tribute to first sergeants part of a celebration of “the dark, glistening jump boots” that were the proudly maintained trademark of WWII era paratroopers. (c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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‘Free Speech Is Hard Work’

Posted on September 7, 2023 by JMN

One stumbles upon insight gold. Here’s a line from the title poem of Egyptian poet Iman Mersal’s book The Threshold: One long-serving intellectual screamed at his friend / When I’m talking about democracy / you shut the hell up. It’s … Continue reading →

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Poderoso Caballero Es Don Besuquero — ¿O Ya No?

Posted on August 30, 2023 by JMN

*”A sturdy caballero is Master Hotlips — Or no longer?” (pace Quevedo). Mr. Rubiales was shown on video after the World Cup final in Sydney on Aug. 20 kissing one of the team’s star players, Jennifer Hermoso. Although he apologized … Continue reading →

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Forecast: Brainstorms With a Chance of Conniptions

Posted on August 28, 2023 by JMN

“Cubism seeks to destroy by designed disorder… Dadaism aims to destroy by ridicule… Abstractionism aims to destroy by the creation of brainstorms.”(Republican Congressman George Dondero in speech to the House of Representatives, August 16, 1949) Three years later, Dondero told … Continue reading →

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Paint the Buttons!

Posted on August 26, 2023 by JMN

“How do you expect me to paint a portrait of Stalin?” he asked, irritated. “First of all, I’ve never seen him, and I don’t remember what he looks like, other than the fact that he wears a uniform with lots … Continue reading →

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When History Fails the Test of History

Posted on August 15, 2023 by JMN

“No one ever draws a lesson from history that they didn’t want to draw in the first place.” (Alistair Campbell) “Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat the exam.” (A Professor) (c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. … Continue reading →

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‘La France, c’est la langue française’ (Fernand Braudel)

Posted on August 10, 2023 by JMN

“Oui, j’ai une patrie: la langue française.” (Yes, I do have a homeland: the French language.) (Albert Camus) Sometimes — and I don’t expect to make friends with this statement — all you have the energy for in this life … Continue reading →

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Ocean, On Writing

Posted on August 9, 2023 by JMN

“It’s very hard to write well accidentally.” (Ocean Vuong) (c) 2023 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved

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