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Those who ignore the universe – quelli che ignorano l’universo

Mixed Media Art by Small Circle Big Circle

“Those who ignore the existence of the universe, also ignore where they themselves exist. Those who ignore the purpose of the universe, also ignore who they are and what the world is. Those who neglect even only one of these issues, wouldn’t even be able to say for what purpose they themselves were born.

What do you think, then, of those who flee and seek the praise of those who applaud without knowing where they themselves are or who they are?”

Transl. by Small Circle Big Circle

“Chi ignora l’esistenza dell’universo, ignora anche dove sia egli stesso. Chi ignora per quale fine esista l’universo, ignora anche chi egli stesso sia, come pure che cosa il mondo sia. Chi trascura uno solo di questi problemi, non saprebbe neppure dire per quale fine egli stesso sia nato.

Che te ne pare, quindi, di chi fugge o ricerca la lode di coloro che applaudono senza sapere né dove siano né chi siano?”

Da Meditazioni di Marco Aurelio, Libro VIII.52, a cura di Maristella Ceva

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Ways of looking at things

“There are two ways of looking at things. One is simply looking at them, whereas the other involves considering them attentively. Merely to see is nothing else than receiving into the eye the form or likeness of the object that is looked at; but to consider a thing is more like this: it is to seek with special diligence after the means of knowing this object thoroughly.”

~ Nicolas Poussin

Sketch by small circle big circle