I just found a copy of Argonautica by Apollonius, translated by R. C. Seaton, available online at The Internet Classics Archive A Greek epic poem written in the 3rd century BCE, it tells of a mythical voyage by Jason and the Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece from Colchis.
Category Archives: History
Italy and the Mafia
by Alan Coren
Italy is boot-shaped, for reasons lost in the mists of geology. The South is essentially agricultural, and administered by local land authorities, called the Mafia; the North is industrial, and run by tightly interlocked corporations, called the Mafia. The largest Italian city is New York, and is linked to the mainland by a highly specialized and efficient communications system, called the Mafia
Here he is on Democracy:
Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear.
A nice explanation of the economy in the Netherlands:
Apart from cheese and tulips, the main product of the country is advocaat, a drink made from lawyers.
He even tried to explain Swiss exports:
Since Switzerland has nothing else to identify it and since both its national products, snow and chocolate, melt, the cuckoo clock was invented solely in order to give tourists something to remember it by.
On Happiness
Some views seem to contradict…
by Robert Frost
Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length
Happiness: an agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another.
by Mark Twain
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.
Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
by A.A. Milne
“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.
by James Oppenheim (no relation)
The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet.
Oppenheim’s quote highlights a dichotomy, rather than a solution to happiness. Some might believe in a nomadic lifestyle to find their fortunes in areas of abundance while minimizing risks of drought and hardship, whereas others believe in tilling the soil and building security around the land where they plant roots. The two are opposed in many ways, but I am not sure one will ever provide a perfect solution to risk.
9/11
