Quentin's Maxims
In the 17th century  La Rochefoucauld published his Maxims, which retain their value, and remain in print  (St. Augustine's Press) to this day. So it seems about time that someone else with a long French name should have a go, too. What follows is only a selection; it will be augmented from time to time; my collection is large, and continues to grow.

All maxims should stand alone, but sometimes they benefit from being grouped with others that address a similar subject. In that way, it is possible to achieve a more rounded picture - even if the results are sometimes contradictory or ambiguous.
A maxim is never completely true nor completely false; it is only of value to the active mind.

Truth is to be found at the place that the three roads meet: the road of paradox, the road of ambiguity and the road of contradiction. Oedipus found this out - too late.

The immature continually seek clear and certain answers; the mature know that they must often live with ambivalence and make the best of that.

If it is true that all men are at heart rapists then it is true that all women are at heart prostitutes.  But it isn't true.

The fundamental characteristics which distinguish men from women are inherited through evolution.  Neither sex can takes credit or blame for this. Both should be grateful for without these differences the human race would not exist.

There are few enterprises which do not benefit from the participation of both sexes.

In most areas of endeavour men tend to provide the best and the worst examples; women hold the middle ground.

Those who insist on inclusive language when the meaning is otherwise clear, demonstrate their fear that they do not deserve to be included.

Is it art? - yes, if you say so.  But the relevant question is whether or not it is good art.

What is good art?  You might approach that question by saying what constitutes bad art.  For if you cannot specify that, the concept of quality in art is meaningless.

It is useless to argue that a new art movement should not be condemned because many admired art movements were initially ridiculed.  Since that argument can be used in any instance it precludes any condemnation of any art movement.  And, by the same token, any approval.

Criticism always asks three questions: what is the artist trying to do?; was it worth doing?; did he succeed?

For art to happen two agents are required - the artist and the recipient. Only when a recipient responds does the circuit close, the current flow and art happen.   At night the Mona Lisa hangs silent in the Louvre - no more than a concoction of canvass and paint.

In the happening of art the viewer has as much responsibility as the artist.

People who set out to find themselves think they have embarked on a quest for truth; in fact they are only scratching at a sore spot.  When they stop it will heal.

People who set out to find themselves will only have succeeded when they realize they have no longer any interest in the answer.

Why do you dislike yourself?  It is arrogant to think you have more deficiencies than other people.  By what right do you claim a place below your station?

Even if a million be involved in a tragic catastrophe the total of the pain cannot exceed the pain experienced by one individual.  If anything it is better to suffer in a newsworthy, multiple, tragedy - it lends distinction to your death and is a great consolation to your relatives.

The tragedy of September 11th gave the lives of Americans some kind of meaning - at least for a time.  And meaning is what saves us from the abyss.

Watch this space...

(Copyright note: the maxims on this site are the copyright of the author. Permission is given for the use of individual maxims by private persons, providing authorship is acknowledged.  Commercial use or reproduction  requires permission from  the author.)


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