Written By Cambria
Feb. 18, 2018, 12:18 p.m.(3/19/1008 AR)
There are those who are deeply sincere and well-meaning, but as I have noted elsewhere, that is precisely the problem today: There are a great many people like this, whose views derive from mere emotion, and hence make things a lot worse. Nothing could be more harmful than an approach that makes facts subordinate to how we want life to be, as if truth or what is reasonable were determined by feelings.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 13, 2018, 6:29 p.m.(3/3/1008 AR)
I shudder with distaste.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 10, 2018, 5:58 p.m.(2/25/1008 AR)
The gift of prophecy is certainly not mine, but if I were to offer an opinion to any prospective prophets, then I would suggest that the best, most certain way of prophesying correctly is to prophesy often. That way one will, by laws of chance, sometimes be right. Our propensity to remember successes and forget failures will see to the rest - one will soon come to think of oneself as an oracle.
Of course, whether or not others believe the same is another matter entirely.
Of course, whether or not others believe the same is another matter entirely.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 10, 2018, 5:53 p.m.(2/25/1008 AR)
There is much to be said in the favor of mediocrity, though it is derided and despised as a whole. Unlike excellence, mediocrity makes no demands upon a person. It is comfortable, as well as nonthreatening. Imagine having to be brilliant all of the time, or constantly being concerned over whether or not you have said an obvious, or worse, banal thing. Who wants to flog their brain into its maximum ability after having woken early, worked long and hard...or even just spent a large number of hours between wakefulness and next sleep? One longs for, then, the anodyne.
There is a certain kind of mediocrity that is very harmful, however. It has always existed, but it is (or so it seems to me) much more widespread than ever before: namely, ambitious mediocrity. How many of our Peers are deeply mediocre in all respects except in their avidity for power?
There is a certain kind of mediocrity that is very harmful, however. It has always existed, but it is (or so it seems to me) much more widespread than ever before: namely, ambitious mediocrity. How many of our Peers are deeply mediocre in all respects except in their avidity for power?
Written By Cambria
Feb. 8, 2018, 10:28 p.m.(2/21/1008 AR)
Explanations strive to find weakness; from the exploitation of weakness comes compliance and the potential of absolute surrender.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 3, 2018, 6:24 p.m.(2/11/1008 AR)
I have been neglectful in that I have not written of three members of my family arriving to Arx before now. The brothers Theron and Giulio, and Dianna's own sister Alessia have all recently made the arduous journey across the Compact to join us here within the capital. Seeing their faces again after so long further eases the burden upon my heart, for I have made no secret of my longing for home. I am only too sure that Dianna is thrilled to be reunited with Alessia. Theron, of course, has done exactly what I expected of him, and that is thrive. Of Giulio, what can I write that the Inquisition will not ask to be redacted?
(I write in jest, of course).
The days may be dark, but one when is surrounded by family, even the most daunting of tasks no longer seem impossible.
(I write in jest, of course).
The days may be dark, but one when is surrounded by family, even the most daunting of tasks no longer seem impossible.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 1, 2018, 6:40 p.m.(2/7/1008 AR)
Have a dispute?
Call for Champions and be done with it.
Men and women of considerable skill are paid, spectators are entertained, and those disputes that are petty, minor or are altogether small injuries to pride can be put to rest in a time honored tradition.
However, if you find yourself drawn into a matter that you suspect is more delicate and tenuous, then the Whisper House has literally hundreds of years beneath its proverbial belt as exceptionally talented diplomats and mediators.
Call for Champions and be done with it.
Men and women of considerable skill are paid, spectators are entertained, and those disputes that are petty, minor or are altogether small injuries to pride can be put to rest in a time honored tradition.
However, if you find yourself drawn into a matter that you suspect is more delicate and tenuous, then the Whisper House has literally hundreds of years beneath its proverbial belt as exceptionally talented diplomats and mediators.
Written By Cambria
Feb. 1, 2018, 5:14 p.m.(2/7/1008 AR)
I have determined that it pays to know humility, lest the delusion of control, of mastery, overwhelms. It is easy to fall prey to that delusion.
Over and over.
Over and over.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 23, 2018, 11:21 p.m.(1/10/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Hadrian
Two thousand three hundred and ninety four marks for physical annoyances. These can include, but are not limited to: Looking at him funny, raising my voice too high, not talking loudly enough, or 'doing that thing that you do, you know what it is.'
Three thousand forty seven and a half for mental annoyances. These can include, but are not limited to: Asking what that thing is. (Because I do not know, even to this day). Mental exhaustion after having to 'deal with all of this,' and waking up and having no idea if it is day or night because he has to live in a 'literal cave now, what is wrong with you people.'
I've received marks for things I did exactly the same the day before but did not get a mark at the time. I have also received marks for things a relation has done, such as 'Every time I hear the term grand niblings,' as well as 'for any time I hear Theron talk about his hair.' Oh! I also received a thousand marks in one go after I took the chalk board and broke it, and another five hundred for smashing all of the chalk.
There are also 'talk back' marks, which is to say if I argue or contest a mark, I can receive another mark, though we have shuffled some off to the mark court, where I can contest them properly via the accepted legal forms, which master Luigi has expertly drafted.
At a rough estimate, however, it will be another thirty-seven years, at which point one or both of us will be dead, and I certainly will not have borne any children. However, there is hope! For our anniversary, the Marquis has generously cleared my entire record.
We have survived year one.
Three thousand forty seven and a half for mental annoyances. These can include, but are not limited to: Asking what that thing is. (Because I do not know, even to this day). Mental exhaustion after having to 'deal with all of this,' and waking up and having no idea if it is day or night because he has to live in a 'literal cave now, what is wrong with you people.'
I've received marks for things I did exactly the same the day before but did not get a mark at the time. I have also received marks for things a relation has done, such as 'Every time I hear the term grand niblings,' as well as 'for any time I hear Theron talk about his hair.' Oh! I also received a thousand marks in one go after I took the chalk board and broke it, and another five hundred for smashing all of the chalk.
There are also 'talk back' marks, which is to say if I argue or contest a mark, I can receive another mark, though we have shuffled some off to the mark court, where I can contest them properly via the accepted legal forms, which master Luigi has expertly drafted.
At a rough estimate, however, it will be another thirty-seven years, at which point one or both of us will be dead, and I certainly will not have borne any children. However, there is hope! For our anniversary, the Marquis has generously cleared my entire record.
We have survived year one.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 21, 2018, 3:26 p.m.(1/6/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Hadrian
I suppose being unable to watch your wife utterly decimate the competition is boring. That is called being a considerate host, not, as you name it, fear.
I challenge you, here and now, Marquis Mazetti: you and me, a donkey duel.
Unless you are too afraid, that is.
I know I'm not.
I challenge you, here and now, Marquis Mazetti: you and me, a donkey duel.
Unless you are too afraid, that is.
I know I'm not.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 20, 2018, 11:07 a.m.(1/3/1008 AR)
Relationship Note on Theron
The heart is neither given or stolen. The heart surrenders.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 17, 2018, 6:15 p.m.(12/26/1007 AR)
Loyalty, in the truest sense of the word, is not something one pays for.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 9, 2018, 9:42 p.m.(12/8/1007 AR)
A recent reminder from Brother Driskell (his recent sermon, too, has given me much to think about, but that is another journal entirely), has encouraged me to consider the sacred institution of marriage a bit more closely than I previously have. In so doing, I have determined that I shall pen here this evening a bit of kind advice:
For those of you still unwed, and curious about what it's like, worry not! Most marriages involve mutual thoughts of murder on occasion.
For those of you still unwed, and curious about what it's like, worry not! Most marriages involve mutual thoughts of murder on occasion.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 4, 2018, 7:48 p.m.(11/26/1007 AR)
Games are played, and what may appear precipitous may well be little more than a feint.
Written By Cambria
Jan. 2, 2018, 12:37 p.m.(11/19/1007 AR)
As an observation, I have found that those who claim to be righteous are typically those who are the first to form their hands into fists, the first ones to shout down dissenters, and the first to bully others into compliance.
Written By Cambria
Dec. 30, 2017, 12:48 p.m.(11/13/1007 AR)
Patience
(n.) A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.
(n.) A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.
Written By Cambria
Dec. 27, 2017, 10:59 p.m.(11/8/1007 AR)
Marriage
(n.) A household consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all, two.
(n.) A household consisting of a master, a mistress, and two slaves, making in all, two.
Written By Cambria
Dec. 3, 2017, 5:30 p.m.(9/14/1007 AR)
I feel pity for those who are not only myopic, but suffer from an impairment of their short-term memory as well.
Written By Cambria
Nov. 28, 2017, 4:59 p.m.(9/4/1007 AR)
A world without reason is a world without order, which is a world without choice. A world without choice is a world of brute force.
Written By Cambria
Nov. 23, 2017, 7:56 p.m.(8/21/1007 AR)
Relationship Note on Driskell
Verily, even maps can sin.
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