That's what a community is: taking for granted certain assumptions, not having to start from zero every time. This is no longer true.

One cannot use the life to interpret the work. But One can use the work to interpret the life.

Pornography is a theatre of types, never of individuals.

Whoever invented marriage was an ingenious tormentor. It is an institution committed to the dulling of the feelings. The whole point of marriage is repetition. The best it aims for is the creation of strong, mutual dependencies.

The fear of becoming old is born of the recognition that one is not living now the life that one wishes.

I perceive value, I confer value, I create value, I even create — or guarantee — existence. Hence, my compulsion to make “lists.” The things (Beethoven’s music, movies, business firms) won’t exist unless I signify my interest in them by at least noting down their names. Nothing exists unless I maintain it (by my interest, or my potential interest). This is an ultimate, mostly subliminal anxiety. Hence, I must remain always, both in principle + actively, interested in everything. Taking all of knowledge as my province.

How boring just to be a body.