Happy Monday!
Quick read
Dostoevsky on talking nonsense
I like them to talk nonsense. That's man's one privilege over all creation.
Through error, you come to the truth. I am a man because I err!
You can never reach any truth without making fourteen mistakes and very likely a hundred and fourteen. And a fine thing, too, in its way; but we can't even make mistakes on our own account!
Talk nonsense, but talk your own nonsense, and I'll kiss you for it.
To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's.
In the first case you are a man, in the second you're no better than a bird.
Visual
Somewhere in Brooklyn
Fact
In 1943, the FDA temporarily banned sliced bread because the packaging used up too much plastic—plastic that could be used in the World War II effort.
This day in history
1,752 years ago today, on February 14th 270 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, is said to have been executed.
Under the rule of Claudius the Cruel, Rome was involved in many unpopular and bloody campaigns. The emperor had to maintain a strong army, but was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. Claudius believed that Roman men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.
To get rid of the problem, Claudius banned all marriages and engagements in Rome. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Valentine was arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. The sentence was carried out on February 14, on or about the year 270.
Tune
Quote(s)
"History never repeats itself, man always does." // Voltaire
Something to ponder
"People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." // Ralph Waldo Emerson
Optimism runs deep
Honorable Mentions
Personal update
Settling back in NYC.
Had a very fun weekend with lots of great friends and lots of great food. Not many better combos than that.
Getting back to the basics (and making lots of errors along the way).
Until next week,
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