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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · 27d

A genius's legacy is often held in the silence of books. 📚

The aesthetic beauty of a library—or a collection—lies in the "multiplicity of relations" between volumes.

A perfect space for reflection on Poe's work.

#BookLovers #Libraries #RareBooks

📍 The Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia.

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · 27d

"It is not so much the knowledge that he possesses, as the discriminating spirit in the employment of that knowledge, which will ensure success to the enigma's solution."

— Edgar Allan Poe 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue'

#EdgarAllanPoe #CriticalThinking #Poe #Strategy

Edgar Allan Poe was not just the master of macabre; he was the philosopher of Discernment.

On the 176th anniversary of his passing (1849), this quote from 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' remains the ultimate lesson in critical thinking:

"It is not so much the knowledge that he possesses, as the discriminating spirit in the employment of that knowledge, which will ensure success to the enigma's solution."

The quality of the filter matters more than the quantity of the data.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jul 2

"Any good poem becomes abstract in some way. But it always has to do with reality, with the poet's life or the lives of others."

— Wisława Szymborska,

She taught us that the universal is not found in the clouds, but in the details.

#WislawaSzymborska #PolishLiterature #Poetry

She wrote of cats in empty apartments, of onions, of a single grain of sand. Yet, the poet of the concrete held a secret about the abstract.

On her birthday, we celebrate Nobel laureate Wisława Szymborska, a master of the most profound poetic alchemy. She famously explained her process, a truth that unlocks her entire universe:

"Any good poem becomes abstract in some way. But it always has to do with reality, with the poet's life or the lives of others."

This was her genius: to look at one small, real thing with such astonishing precision, irony, and wonder that it became a mirror for all of existence. She didn't write about "love" or "loss"; she showed us a specific key in a specific hand, and in doing so, let us feel the weight of everything.

She taught us that the universal is not found in the clouds, but in the details.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jul 2

"The Playing Man with a Book is free."

— Wisława Szymborska

Free to, as she said, 'take a momentary dive into the Mesozoic.'

Reading is not a task. It's the most beautiful game humanity ever invented.

#WislawaSzymborska #NobelPrize #PolishLiterature #TheArtOfReading #OnThisDay #LiteraryGems

Most human games are collective drills. But one remains an act of pure, beautiful anarchy.

On her birthday, we celebrate the Nobel laureate Wisława Szymborska, who gave us the most exquisite definition of reading. For her, the reader is the ultimate free agent.

In her native Polish, the manifesto is simple:
"Homo Ludens z Książką jest wolny."

("The Playing Man with a Book is free.")

Free to obey only their own curiosity. Free to start a book at the end. Free to laugh at the solemn parts. Free to be stopped by a line that will last a lifetime. Free to, as she said, 'take a momentary dive into the Mesozoic.'

Reading is not a task. It's the most beautiful game humanity ever invented.

ALT Text (Texto Alternativo):

📸: A warm, intimate photo of the poet Wisława Szymborska. She is seated, smiling gently as she reads a small book, completely absorbed in her own world.

📎: A post celebrating Szymborska's birthday with her philosophy of reading as the ultimate form of freedom. It highlights her idea of the 'Homo Ludens with a Book,' contrasting the solitary anarchy of reading with the 'collective drill' of other activities, using key phrases from her reflections.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 29

"The one who reads... does not seek truth in the pages of his book, but uses the book to discover his own, for which he had no keys."

— Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Celebrating the 125th birthday of #SaintExupery #OnThisDay #LiteraryAnniversary #Philosophy #FrenchLiterature #TheArtOfReading

We don't read to find another's truth. We read to find our own.

On the 125th anniversary of his birth, we celebrate Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the aviator-philosopher who saw humanity from the heavens. Beyond his unforgettable tales, he held a radical view of literature: a book is not a destination, but a key.

This gem from Wind, Sand and Stars changes everything. In French, it is pure poetry:

"Celui qui lit... ne va point chercher la vérité dans les pages de son livre, mais se sert du livre pour découvrir les siennes, pour lesquelles il n'avait point de clefs."

"The one who reads... does not seek truth in the pages of his book, but uses the book to discover his own, for which he had no keys."

Reading as the ultimate act of self-discovery.

📸: A classic, black-and-white portrait of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. He is seated, looking thoughtfully into the distance while holding an open book. Bookshelves and a lamp are visible behind him.

📎: A post celebrating the 125th birthday of Saint-Exupéry. It features a profound quote from his memoir "Wind, Sand and Stars" ("Terre des hommes") that reframes reading not as passive learning, but as an active tool for unlocking one's own inner truths.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 28

"I feel my heart, and I know men. I am not made like any of those I have seen; I dare to believe myself made like no one who exists. If I am not better, at least I am different."

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Confessions

#Rousseau #Philosophy #TheConfessions #Individuality #Selfhood #LiteraryGems

A library holds the collective thoughts of humanity. Shelf after shelf of what it means to be human.

But for Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the ultimate truth was not found in the chorus, but in the singular soul. In his Confessions, he gave us this jewel—the manifesto of the modern self:

"I feel my heart, and I know men. I am not made like any of those I have seen; I dare to believe myself made like no one who exists. If I am not better, at least I am different."

A radical declaration of uniqueness against the weight of the world.

ALT Text

📸: The interior of a classic, dark-wood library. Shelves are packed with old, leather-bound books, and a library ladder leans against a case, creating a solemn, intellectual atmosphere.

🔗: The image of a vast library is contrasted with a powerful quote from Rousseau's "Confessions" about radical individuality. The post explores the tension between collective knowledge and the unique, singular self.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 22

Happy Birthday to the great Erich Maria Remarque, born June 22, 1898. His view on books?

"A book is a friend... It will talk to you when you want it to talk, and it will keep still when you want it to keep still."

👇🏻
#ErichMariaRemarque #ReadingTime #PeacefulMoments

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 21

"The essential thing is contingency. I mean that by definition, existence is not necessity. To exist is simply to be there."

— Jean-Paul Sartre,
La Nausée.

#Sartre #LaNausée #Philosophy #Existentialism #OnThisDay

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 20

A thought for this Yellow Day morning

"In reality, every reader is, while reading, the reader of his own self. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument offered to the reader to allow him to discern what, without this book, he would not have seen in himself."

— Marcel Proust

A thought for this Yellow Day morning. Bonjour.

"In reality, every reader is, while reading, the reader of his own self. The writer's work is merely a kind of optical instrument offered to the reader to allow him to discern what, without this book, he would not have seen in himself."

— Marcel Proust

#Proust #Literature #Reading #YellowDay #BookLover

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 19

"Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived it."

— Carlos Ruiz Zafón

#CarlosRuizZafon #Literature #SpanishLiterature #TheShadowOfTheWind #BooksWithSouls #Anniversary #CemeteryOfForgottenBooks #MagicOfReading

Good afternoon, inspired minds! Today, June 19th, we commemorate the passing of Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2020), the masterful Spanish writer who transported millions into the enchanting labyrinth of the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Zafón's narratives are imbued with an unparalleled sense of magic and mystery, often centered around the profound power of literature itself. His work eloquently reminds us that books are more than just paper and ink—they are living entities.

As this extraordinary storyteller beautifully articulated in The Shadow of the Wind:

"Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived it."

This exquisite quote captures the very essence of Zafón's universe: a world where books are vibrant, sentient beings, holding within them the echoes of countless lives. It's a testament to the indelible connection forged between author, reader, and the timeless stories they share.

Which book has revealed its soul to you? Share the volumes that live within your own personal "Cemetery of Forgotten Books." 👇

#CarlosRuizZafon #Literature #SpanishLiterature #TheShadowOfTheWind #BooksWithSouls #LiteraryMystery #LiteraryQuotes #Anniversary #CemeteryOfForgottenBooks #MagicOfReading

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 9

"Whatever else was wanting to my perfect contentment, it was at least a blessing that I had an instant refuge in books, if I were unhappy with my worldly lot."

— Charles Dickens,
David Copperfield

#Literature #LiteraryMasters #Books #Reading #Anniversary #Dickens #DavidCopperfield

Today, June 9th, we mark the passing of Charles Dickens (1870), the unparalleled British literary giant whose words painted vivid portraits of Victorian England and captivated hearts worldwide.

This iconic depiction of Dickens, mid-reading, perfectly embodies his profound connection to storytelling and the immersive power of literature. For Dickens, books were more than just stories; they were companions, solace, and gateways to boundless worlds.

He beautifully articulated this refuge in David Copperfield:

"Whatever else was wanting to my perfect contentment, it was at least a blessing that I had an instant refuge in books, if I were unhappy with my worldly lot. I could turn to them in a moment, and be a king, or a beggar, or a prince, or a great philosopher, or a man of power, or a simple peasant, or whatever else my fancy chose, and never be called upon to suffer a single pang of disappointment for it."

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 6

Today, June 6th, we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Thomas Mann (1875), the German literary giant and Nobel laureate.

"Life is a dream. Waking up is what kills you."

#ThomasMann #150YearsOfMann #Literature #NobelPrize #GermanLiterature #Existentialism #Philosophy #LiteraryMasters #Mann

Today, June 6th, we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Thomas Mann (1875), the German literary giant and Nobel laureate. His work, a tapestry of human experience, continues to illuminate the depths of our existence.

This intimate portrayal of Mann, perhaps contemplating the delicate beauty of a flower, invites us to pause and reflect on the profound nature of life itself—a central theme in his monumental narratives. His keen insight into the human condition often blurred the lines between reality and perception.

As Mann himself profoundly stated:

"Life is a dream. Waking up is what kills you."

A truly arresting maxim, this quote delves into the ephemeral beauty of existence and the often harsh reality of awakening. It speaks to the intricate dance between illusion and truth, a hallmark of Mann's masterful storytelling and philosophical inquiry.

In his native German, the thought resonates with stark clarity: "Das Leben ist ein Traum. Das Erwachen ist das, was einen tötet."

What literary 'dream' have you been lost in lately? How does this profound reflection on life resonate with you? Share your thoughts on Thomas Mann's enduring legacy. 👇

#ThomasMann #150YearsOfMann #Literature #NobelPrize #GermanLiterature #Existentialism #Philosophy #LiteraryMasters #Anniversary #DeepThoughts #LiteraryQuotes #Mann

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Jun 4

"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."

— Ray Bradbury,Fahrenheit 451

#RayBradbury#Literature
#ScienceFiction #Fahrenheit451
#LiteraryMasters #Anniversary #ClassicSciFi

Today, June 5th, we commemorate the passing of Ray Bradbury (2012), the unparalleled architect of possible futures and chronicler of the human condition. His pen taught us to dream, to fear, and above all, to wonder.

With his wise smile and his masterpiece, Fahrenheit 451, in hand, Bradbury personifies the defense of imagination. Beyond his warnings about book burning, his deepest message was an ode to life itself, to the richness of unmediated experience.

As he himself urged us:

"Stuff your eyes with wonder, live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories."

This is the essence of Bradbury: a radical invitation to insatiable curiosity, to total immersion in the beauty and mystery of existence. It's a powerful reminder that true magic isn't bought; it's lived, observed, felt.

What moment or idea from Bradbury has filled your eyes with wonder? What inspires you to "see the world" with new eyes? Share your spark of marvel. 👇

#RayBradbury #Literature #ScienceFiction #Fahrenheit451 #Wonder #Imagination #LiteraryMasters #Anniversary #ClassicSciFi #LiveWithWonder

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · May 24

"Books have a way of opening things up."

—Bob Dylan

#BobDylan #NobelPrize #Literature #Books #Reading #Poetry #HappyBirthdayBobDylan #CrystalMagick #WordsThatOpen

Happy 84th Birthday to the legendary Bob Dylan! 🎂 Musician, poet, and Nobel laureate in Literature (2016), Dylan's impact on culture is immeasurable.

Beyond his groundbreaking lyrics, his profound connection to the written word is undeniable. As this iconic image suggests, books were a constant companion and a source of endless inspiration.

Dylan, ever the enigmatic wordsmith, once shared a simple yet profound truth about the power of literature:

"Books have a way of opening things up."

A testament to the transformative journey each page offers, revealing new worlds, ideas, and perspectives. It's in those "openings" that true artistry and understanding flourish.

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · May 11

Continuing the reflection on #BobMarley's wisdom today.

"I no have education. I have inspiration. If I was educated, I would be a damn fool."

A different kind of "schooling" for the soul. 🌟📖

#BobMarleyLegacy #InspirationOverEducation #PowerOfStories #ReadToGrow #MentalFreedom

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · May 11

Wah gwaan? (What's going on? / Good morning!) ☀️

Remembering #BobMarley today (May 11)

"You have to understand the lyrics, its deep meaning. This is the music of the third world, a blessing, it's the news, sung news, that you don't get in school." 🎶📚

#RobertNestaMarley #Literature

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · May 4

"The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived."

— Søren Kierkegaard

At leve. ✨ (To live.)
#SørenKierkegaard #Kierkegaard #Existentialism #Philosophy #DanishPhilosophy #Authenticity #LiveLife

Raising a cup ☕ to Søren Kierkegaard. The Danish thinker who plunged into the depths of existence, subjectivity, and the weight of choice, long before "existentialism" was a term.

He challenged us to move beyond the abstract, to confront the concrete reality of being. In a world rushing by, perhaps even in a simple coffee moment, his words echo:

"The highest and most beautiful things in life are not to be heard about, nor read about, nor seen but, if one will, are to be lived."

A call to authentic experience, found not just in grand theories, but in the texture of life itself.

At leve. ✨ (To live.)

#SørenKierkegaard #Kierkegaard #Existentialism #Philosophy #DanishPhilosophy #Authenticity #LiveLife

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · May 2

He called himself Novalis - He who cultivates new territories.Born #OnThisDay, Friedrich von Hardenberg :

"We dream of journeys through space: Is not the universe within us? ... The mysterious path leads inwards."

#Novalis #Romanticism #GermanLiterature #Philosophy #InnerSpace #Poetry #OTD

He called himself Novalis - "He who cultivates new territories." Born #OnThisDay, Friedrich von Hardenberg didn't just explore lands, but the vast universe within. 🌌

In just 4 years of writing alongside law & geology, he became the voice of early German Romanticism ('Hymns to the Night', 'Heinrich von Ofterdingen'), proving the most profound journeys are internal.

He asked: "We dream of journeys through space: Is not the universe within us? ... The mysterious path leads inwards."

A supernova of Romantic thought, gone at 28, leaving us maps to inner worlds. ✨

#Novalis #Romanticism #GermanLiterature #Philosophy #InnerSpace #Poetry #OTD

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 30

"It always stimulates me to discover new examples of my own ignorance." — Paul Auster (Hand to Mouth)

Remembering Paul Auster's sharp insight and intellectual humility. A mind always questioning. #PaulAuster #Ignorance #Wisdom #Philosophy #Literature

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 28

Alejandra Pizarnik was born today (1936). ⚡️

She left us maps of inner territories few dare to chart. Territories made of:

'Only thirst / silence / no encounter.'

— Alejandra Pizarnik

A necessary vertigo. Dare to read her?
#AlejandraPizarnik #Poetry #Literature #BornToday #Existentialism

Alejandra Pizarnik was born today (1936). ⚡️

She didn't just write; she dissected existence with language sharpened on the abyss. Her poetry isn't comfort—it's a confrontation. A plunge into the raw nerve of being, where silence screams and darkness holds a brutal truth.

She left us maps of inner territories few dare to chart. Territories made of:

"Sólo la sed
el silencio
ningún encuentro."

(Only thirst / silence / no encounter.)

A necessary vertigo. Dare to read her?

#Pizarnik #AlejandraPizarnik #Poetry #Literature #BornToday #Poesía #LiteraturaArgentina #Existentialism

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 28

"What matters isn't the prize. What matters is the work itself, the courage to face the page, the dignity of the fight."

— Roberto Bolaño

(Reflecting Bolaño's core philosophy on literature and life)

#RobertoBolaño #Bolaño #Literature #WritingLife #Courage #Art #ChileanLiterature #BornOnThisDay

Remembering the formidable Roberto Bolaño, born #OnThisDay in 1953. The Chilean novelist and poet reshaped contemporary literature with his sprawling, intense, and unforgettable explorations of art, life, and the abyss.

"What matters isn't the prize. What matters is the work itself, the courage to face the page, the dignity of the fight."

— Roberto Bolaño

(Reflecting Bolaño's core philosophy on literature and life)

This raw assertion strips away vanity, focusing on the visceral act of creation and the unwavering commitment it demands. A truly spectacular, challenging perspective from a literary titan.

#RobertoBolaño #Bolaño #Literature #WritingLife #Courage #Art #LatinAmericanLiterature #ChileanLiterature #BornOnThisDay

fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 28

Celebrating the brilliant mind of Sir Terry Pratchett, born #OnThisDay in 1948!

"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."
— TerryPratchett
(From "Diggers")

#TerryPratchett #Discworld #Pratchett #Fantasy #Satire

Celebrating the brilliant mind of Sir Terry Pratchett, born #OnThisDay in 1948! Master satirist, creator of Discworld, and purveyor of profound wisdom wrapped in unparalleled wit.

"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."
(From "Diggers")

A spectacularly Pratchett observation! It's a witty, incisive reminder about the constant barrage of external influences and the critical importance of discernment in a world eager to fill our heads. Pure genius.

#TerryPratchett #Discworld #Pratchett #Fantasy #Satire #BornOnThisDay #GNUTerryPratchett

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 28

Remembering Harper Lee, born #OnThisDay in 1926.

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

— Harper Lee
Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

#HarperLee #ToKillAMockingbird #LiteraryLegacy #AtticusFinch #Truth #Justice #ClassicLiterature #BornOnThisDay

Remembering Harper Lee, born #OnThisDay in 1926. Her indelible novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, remains a cornerstone of literature, challenging us to confront prejudice and seek understanding.

Beyond the most quoted lines, let's reflect on this sharp observation about integrity and perception:

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."
—Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

This subtle yet profound line speaks volumes about confirmation bias and the conscious effort required to truly see and hear beyond our own preconceptions. A vital reminder from Lee's timeless work about the nature of truth and justice.

#HarperLee #ToKillAMockingbird #LiteraryLegacy #AtticusFinch #Truth #Justice #ClassicLiterature #BornOnThisDay

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 27

" Only the person who has dared to look into himself/herself learns to know himself/herself."

— Stefan Zweig

#StefanZweig #Philosophy #Doubt #Intellect #Literature

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fede @ruhfede.bsky.social · Apr 25

🤯 Born #OnThisDay, April 26, 1889: Ludwig Wittgenstein, a philosopher who wrestled with the very limits of thought & language.

"If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done."

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

#Philosophy #LudwigWittgenstein #Thinking #Language #Philosophers

Instead of grand systems, he often offered unsettling clarity.

"If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done."

— LudwigWittgenstein

A reminder that progress often springs from unexpected, even seemingly foolish, explorations. Let's embrace the 'silly' to unlock the profound. 🤔 #Wittgenstein

#Philosophy #LudwigWittgenstein #OnThisDay #OTD #Thinking #Innovation #Language #Philosophers

🤯 Born #OnThisDay, April 26, 1889: Ludwig Wittgenstein, a philosopher who wrestled with the very limits of thought & language.

#Philosophy #LudwigWittgenstein #OnThisDay #OTD #Thinking #Innovation #Language #Philosophers

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