Sunday, February 24, 2008

search of lost time


“We cannot be taught wisdom, we have to discover it ourselves by a journey which no one can undertake for us, an effort which no one can spare us.”

- Marcel Proust (1871-1922) French novelist, essayist and critic. Proust’s journey to find wisdom was largely internal. Confined to bed due to poor health, he rarely left his home in Paris. His “À la recherche du temps perdu” (In Search of Lost Time) is considered one of the monumental classics of 20th century literature. Published in seven volumes from 1913 to 1927 (the last three were published posthumously) its 3,200 pages include more than 2,000 characters. Throughout the work, Proust explores the themes of time, space and memory. And since yesterday was my birthday, I have done much the same for the past 24 hours. You tend to ruminate when you realize that more of your life is behind you than in front. The journey is short; enjoy your life before it too is lost in time.

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