Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Ruins v. reconstructions

Joseph Joubert:

Antiquity. I prefer ruins to reconstructions.

The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert: A Selection  , trans. Paul Auster (New York: New York Review Books, 2005).
Joubert’s observation acquires an odd poignance when we see the architecture and art of antiquity destroyed by fanatics.

See also Robert Walser on “former beauty.”

Also from Joseph Joubert
Another world : Form and content : Irrelevancies and solid objects : Lives and writings : New books, old books : Politeness : Resignation and courage : Self-love and truth : Thinking and writing

comments: 2

Geo-B said...

Also applies to plastic surgery.

Michael Leddy said...

Yes indeed.