The Roman poet Virgil wrote: Every man’s last day is fixed. Lifetimes are brief, and not to be regained, for all mankind. But by their deeds to make their fame last: that is labor for the brave. The translation I recall, still after several decades, says it differently: Short and irrecoverable is the lifetime of all, but to extend our fame by deeds: that is the task of greatness.
I am quite partial to this quote from Edna Ferber too: “Life can’t ever really defeat a writer who is in love with writing, for life itself is a writer’s lover until death – fascinating, cruel, lavish, warm, cold, treacherous, constant.” Although I had only ever seen the first half. The second half adds something though. Edna got it.
Finally, my high school English teacher was fond of declaring we are “born astride of a grave” which is a Samuel Becket quote and from Hamlet, Polonius’ speech to Ophelia calling Hamlet’s behaviour towards her “springes to catch woodcocks” that is, a trap for the simple or innocent. Polonius is annoying as a character because he’s long winded and condescending, but also correct while being completely wrong.
Anyway, surprise. Another post!
Writing Bec 