Skip to main content

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Charles Mackay


[from the Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_Popular_Delusions_and_the_Madness_of_Crowds ]


"How flattering to the pride of man to think that the stars on their courses watch over him, and typify, by their movements and aspects, the joys or the sorrows that await him! He, in less proportion to the universe than the all-but invisible insects that feed in myriads on a summer's leaf are to this great globe itself, fondly imagines that eternal worlds were chiefly created to prognosticate his fate."


"We go out of our course to make ourselves uncomfortable; the cup of life is not bitter enough to our palate, and we distill superfluous poison to put into it, or conjure up hideous things to frighten ourselves at, which would never exist if we did not make them."

Just 2 quotes, and this book is on my reading list already - best of all, it is public domain. :)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Quotes

I don't think of the past. The only thing that matters is the everlasting present. W. Somerset Maugham Ralph Waldo Emerson - "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
Post a Comment
Read more

A Cascade of Conversations.

It is a convenience to not have to type a datestamp, so I waste a line on it. The conversation I had with Mr. Malik was hurried; if its depth were to be mapped by sonar, it would be very irregular. The air time was pretty evenly divided, I think, although I know my egotistical thought process gives me way more credit than I'm due for. Still, no, wait, not still, I also committed a grave error of leaving out a person from my life history, despite saying in the same conversation, at a different point of time, words to the effect that a nurtured grievance tends to intensify negatively over time. I hope I have not slipped up too badly. Mahak pressed the red button when I called right now. With Mum, I knew in my heart she knew I was going to be serious about Mahak. Hence, at an opportunistic moment was exploited to full advantage, meaning no negativity whatsoever, and Mum accepted the news with good humor; I think her apprehensions are going to wait till December. Now, I have two things...
Post a Comment
Read more

Money

By Pink Floyd Excellent song. The lyrics pertain to (most probably) the group's experience itself. As such, it is funny and humorous, poking fun at the system of media barons and "chart" economics.  I relate to it even more these days, when all I need is money. I am at peace, content, moksha-esque, even - but I do need money for subsistence. Which reminds me , how do I monetize my writings? Time to fire up the Vaio. 
Post a Comment
Read more