russellian-j

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2944j (Nov. 22, 2024)

　不幸な目に会った時によく耐えるためには、ある程度の幅広い興味・関心を幸福な時期に養っておくことが賢明である。

To bear misfortune well when it comes, it is wise to have cultivated in happier times a certain width of interests.

Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap. 15：Impersonal interests More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA26-050.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　対処できる不幸はとりのぞくように努力したほうがよいことは言うまでもありません。しかし、ある程度努力した後、それ以上どうしようもなさそうであれば、別の事柄に関心を移した方がよさそうです。すると、いつの間にか不幸は消え去ったり、消えなくてもあまり気にならなかったりするようになります。子どもや子供っぽい大人はそうはいきませんが・・・。 　つけたし：　シェークスピアの名言のなかに次の言葉があります。（『リア王』第４幕第８場） 　「人は泣きながら生まれる。このあほうどもの舞台に引き出されたのが悲しくてな」

Needless to say, it is better to try to get rid of the misfortunes that can be dealt with. However, if, after some effort, it seems that there is nothing more you can do, it is better to shift your attention to other matters. Then, before you know it, the unhappiness will disappear or, even if it does not disappear, it will not bother you too much. This is not the case for children or childish adults… 　There is a famous Shakespearean quote that says: （King Lear, Act 4, Scene 8.)

　'Man is born weeping. Sad to be dragged out on to the stage by these fools.’

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2944j (Nov. 22, 2024)

　不幸な目に会った時によく耐えるためには、ある程度の幅広い興味・関心を幸福な時期に養っておくことが賢明である。

To bear misfortune well when it comes, it is wise to have cultivated in happier times a certain width of interests.

Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap. 15：Impersonal interests More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA26-050.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　対処できる不幸はとりのぞくように努力したほうがよいことは言うまでもありません。しかし、ある程度努力した後、それ以上どうしようもなさそうで���れば、別の事柄に関心を移した方がよさそうです。すると、いつの間にか不幸は消え去ったり、消えなくてもあまり気にならなかったりするようになります。子どもや子供っぽい大人はそうはいきませんが・・・。 　つけたし：　シェークスピアの名言のなかに次の言葉があります。（『リア王』第４幕第８場） 　「人は泣きながら生まれる。このあほうどもの舞台に引き出されたのが悲しくてな」

Needless to say, it is better to try to get rid of the misfortunes that can be dealt with. However, if, after some effort, it seems that there is nothing more you can do, it is better to shift your attention to other matters. Then, before you know it, the unhappiness will disappear or, even if it does not disappear, it will not bother you too much. This is not the case for children or childish adults… 　There is a famous Shakespearean quote that says: （King Lear, Act 4, Scene 8.)

　'Man is born weeping. Sad to be dragged out on to the stage by these fools.’

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2944 ( Nov. 22, 2024)

To bear misfortune well when it comes, it is wise to have cultivated in happier times a certain width of interests. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap. 15：Impersonal interests More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA26-050.HTM

a brief comment Needless to say, it is better to try to get rid of the misfortunes that can be dealt with. However, if, after some effort, it seems that there is nothing more you can do, it is better to shift your attention to other matters. Then, before you know it, the unhappiness will disappear or, even if it does not disappear, it will not bother you too much. This is not the case for children or childish adults… 　There is a famous Shakespearean quote that says: （King Lear, Act 4, Scene 8.) 　'Man is born weeping. Sad to be dragged out on to the stage by these fools.’

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2943j (Nov. 21, 2024)

　真偽のほどはわからないが、死者を慈しむために墓に穀物を撒く慣習があり、敬虔な親族が驚いたことに、その穀物が育ち、新鮮な穀物ができたことから（農業が）発見された、という説がある。このような観察から、将来の収穫を見越して意図的に穀物を植えるようになるのは、それほど難しい先見の明の行使ではなかった。どのような経緯があったにせよ（However this may be,）、ナイル川、インダス川、メソポタミア川の流域では、考古学的な証拠ではなく、歴史的な証拠（注：「文書記録による証拠」）が残っている最も古い時点で、すでに農業が確立していたのである。

It has been suggested -- I do not know with what truth -- that it ( = agriculture) was discovered through the practice of scattering grain on tombs for the nourishment of the deceased, and that, to the surprise of pious relatives, the grain grew up and produced fresh grain. It was a not very difficult exercise of forethought to pass from this observation to the deliberate planting of grain with a view to a future harvest. However this may be, agriculture was already well established in the river valleys of the Nile, the Indus and Mesopotamia at the earliest moment of which we have historical, as opposed to archaeological, evidence.

Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 3: Forethought and Skill, n.10 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0310.htm

＜寸言＞ 　野生の穀物を採取して食料にしていた段階から、それらから種を得て撒くことによって、計画的に穀物を収穫できる段階に移��たと考えられます。もっと簡単かつ荒唐無稽な説は、農業の知識を持っている宇宙人が地球にやってきて地球人に農業を伝えたというものです。 　google　で検索するとトップ（要約文）には次のように書かれています。（「墓に穀物を撒く慣習」説よりもよさそうです。）

「農業は、約1万2千年前に西アジアの「肥沃な三日月地帯」と呼ばれる地域で始まったと考えられています。狩猟採集で食料を調達するのに必要だった広い土地を節約し、安定的に食用植物を入手するために、食用植物がよく繁茂している場所を囲い込むことで農耕が始まったと考えられています。食べ棄てた種子から同じ植物が再び芽生えてくることを発見し、種子を���いて作物を育てることを覚えたこともきっかけだったと考えられます。」

It is thought that we have moved from a stage where we were gathering wild grains for food to one where we could systematically harvest grains by obtaining seeds from them and scattering them. A simpler and more wild theory is that aliens with agricultural knowledge came to Earth and introduced agriculture to the people of Earth. 　A google search shows the following at the top (summary text). (This sounds better than the ‘practice of scattering grain on graves’ theory.)

'Agriculture is thought to have begun about 12,000 years ago in an area of western Asia known as the “Fertile Crescent”. It is thought that agriculture began by enclosing areas where edible plants often thrived, in order to save the large areas of land that were needed to procure food by hunting and gathering, and to obtain a stable supply of food plants. It is also thought to have been triggered by the discovery that the same plants would sprout again from seeds that had been eaten away, and by learning to sow seeds and grow crops.’

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2943 ( Nov. 21, 2024)

It has been suggested -- I do not know with what truth -- that it ( = agriculture) was discovered through the practice of scattering grain on tombs for the nourishment of the deceased, and that, to the surprise of pious relatives, the grain grew up and produced fresh grain. It was a not very difficult exercise of forethought to pass from this observation to the deliberate planting of grain with a view to a future harvest. However this may be, agriculture was already well established in the river valleys of the Nile, the Indus and Mesopotamia at the earliest moment of which we have historical, as opposed to archaeological, evidence. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 3: Forethought and Skill, n.10 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0310.htm

a brief comment It is thought that we have moved from a stage where we were gathering wild grains for food to one where we could systematically harvest grains by obtaining seeds from them and scattering them. A simpler and more wild theory is that aliens with agricultural knowledge came to Earth and introduced agriculture to the people of Earth. 　A google search shows the following at the top (summary text). (This sounds better than the ‘practice of scattering grain on graves’ theory.)

'Agriculture is thought to have begun about 12,000 years ago in an area of western Asia known as the “Fertile Crescent”. It is thought that agriculture began by enclosing areas where edible plants often thrived, in order to save the large areas of land that were needed to procure food by hunting and gathering, and to obtain a stable supply of food plants. It is also thought to have been triggered by the discovery that the same plants would sprout again from seeds that had been eaten away, and by learning to sow seeds and grow crops.’

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2942j (Nov. 20, 2024)

　良い目的に向けられた少しの活動（仕事）のほうが、悪い目的に方向に向けられた多くの活動よりも優れている。ただし、精力的な人生を信奉する人たちはそのようには考えないようであるが・・・。

A little work directed to a good end is better than a great deal of work directed to a bad end, though the apostles of the strenuous life seem to think otherwise. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930,chap. 15：Impersonal interests. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA26-030.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　昨日、NHKのニュースで詩人の谷川俊太郎（注：日本バートランド・ラッセル協会の第２代会長で哲学者の谷川徹三の息子）が亡くなったと報じられました。谷川俊太郎の「業績」（活動）はトランプに比べればごくわずかです。「良い目的に向けられた少しの活動（仕事）のほうが、悪い目的に方向に向けられた多くの活動よりも優れている」と言いたいところですが、トランプの支持者はそのようには考えないことは容易に想像されます。

Yesterday, NHK news reported the death of poet Shuntaro Tanikawa (note: son of philosopher Tetsuzo Tanikawa, the second president of the Bertrand Russell Society of Japan). Tanikawa Shuntaro's ‘achievements’ (activities) are negligible compared to Trump. One would like to say that ‘a little activity (work) directed towards a good purpose is better than a lot of activity directed towards a bad purpose’, but it is easy to imagine that Trump's supporters would not see it that way.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2942 ( Nov. 20, 2024)

A little work directed to a good end is better than a great deal of work directed to a bad end, though the apostles of the strenuous life seem to think otherwise. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930,chap. 15：Impersonal interests. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA26-030.HTM

a brief comment Yesterday, NHK news reported the death of poet Shuntaro Tanikawa (note: son of philosopher Tetsuzo Tanikawa, the second president of the Bertrand Russell Society of Japan). Tanikawa Shuntaro's ‘achievements’ (activities) are negligible compared to Trump. One would like to say that ‘a little activity (work) directed towards a good purpose is better than a lot of activity directed towards a bad purpose’, but it is easy to imagine that Trump's supporters would not see it that way.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2941j (Nov. 19, 2024)

　しかし、子供にとって親が最も頼りになるのは ー　まともな親であれば　－ （子供が）病気の時や、世間から非難されている時さえも含め、不幸な時である。

But it is in times of misfortune that parents are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the parents are of the right sort.

Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-070.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　ということは、「子どもに頼りにされないこと（あるいは、実際に頼りにされていないこと）」は、子どもが困って���ない可能性が高いことなので、喜ばしいことと言えそうです。また、子どもと親を入れ替えて、次のようにも言えそうです。 「（親（通常、年寄り）にとって子どもが最も頼りになるのは ー　まともな子どもであれば　－ （親が）病気の時や、世間から非難されている時さえも含め、不幸な時である。」

So it could be said that 'not being depended on by the child' is a pleasing thing, as it means that the child is likely to be out of trouble. It could also be said, interchanging children and parents, as follows. "It is in times of misfortune (for their parents) that children are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the children are of the right sort.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2941j (Nov. 19, 2024)

　しかし、子供にとって親が最も頼りになるのは ー　まともな親であれば　－ （子供が）病気の時や、世間から非難されている時さえも含め、不幸な時である。

But it is in times of misfortune that parents are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the parents are of the right sort.

Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-070.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　ということは、「子どもに頼りにされないこと（あるいは、実際に頼りにされていないこと）」は、子どもが困っていない可能性が高いことなので、喜ばしいことと言えそうです。また、子どもと親を入れ替えて、次のようにも言えそうです。 「（親（通常、年寄り）にとって子どもが最も頼りになるのは ー　まともな子どもであれば　－ （親が）病気の時や、世間から非難されている時さえも含め、不幸な時である。」

So it could be said that 'not being depended on by the child' is a pleasing thing, as it means that the child is likely to be out of trouble. It could also be said, interchanging children and parents, as follows. "It is in times of misfortune (for their parents) that children are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the children are of the right sort.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quote 366 with image, n2941 ( Nov. 19, 2024)

But it is in times of misfortune that parents are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the parents are of the right sort. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-070.HTM

a brief comment So it could be said that 'not being depended on by the child' is a pleasing thing, as it means that the child is likely to be out of trouble. It could also be said, interchanging children and parents, as follows. "It is in times of misfortune (for their parents) that children are most to be relied upon, in illness, and even in disgrace if the children are of the right sort.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2940j (Nov. 18, 2024)

　もし、結婚して評判の良い市民であるならば、子供のために多くの楽しみを放棄するが、これも子供の将来に関する先見の明のためである。彼がいくらか例外的な人物でない限り、言葉に注意をし、出世に有利な意見を述べ、非正統的と思われるような意見は隠す。普通の野心を持つ人間であれば、自分の仕事での成功を望み、どのようにすれば成功が得られるかについての先見の明に支配される。ついには、慎重さ（を保つこと）そのものが衝動となり、本能的な生活の他の部分は萎縮してしまう。これは絵空事ではない。いかなる文明国においても、10人中9人の平均的な市民の実際の生涯である。

If he marries and is a reputable citizen, he forgoes many pleasures for the sake of his children, which again is due to forethought as to their future. Unless he is somewhat exceptional, he guards his tongue, expressing those opinions which will further his advancement, and concealing any which might be thought unorthodox. If he has the ordinary share of ambition, he hopes for success in his work, and is dominated by forethought as to how success is to be achieved. In the end, prudence itself becomes an impulse, and the rest of his instinctive life is atrophied. This is not a fancy picture. It is the actual biography of nine average citizens out of ten in every civilized country. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 3: Forethought and Skill, n.7 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0307.htm

＜寸言＞ 　周囲の目を気にする必要がなければ、ラッセルがここで描写しているような人生を送らなくてすみます。しかし、「例外的な人物���（権力者、抜きんでた才能の持ち主、その他何らかの点で傑出した人物）でない限りそういうわけにはいかず、ラッセルが描写したような人生を歩まざるをえません。 　トランプ大統領がどうしてあれほどアメリカ人に人気があるのか、今一つわからないところがあります。想像するに、ラッセルが描いたような生涯を送らざるを得ない大多数の人には「トランプのように傍若無人に生きてみたい」という願望があるのでしょうか？　それにしても、トランプの支持者には心地よいでしょうが、トランプを好きになれない人たちにとって、「トランプは呪い」です。

If you don't have to worry about what people think of you, you don't have to live the kind of life Russell describes here. However, this is not the case unless you are an ‘exceptional person’ (powerful, outstandingly talented or outstanding in some other way) and you have to lead the kind of life Russell describes. 　I'm still not entirely sure why President Trump is so popular with Americans. I imagine that the majority of people who are forced to lead the kind of life Russell describes have a desire to ‘live vicariously through Trump’?　Nevertheless, as comfortable as it may be for Trump's supporters, for those who don't like him, ‘Trump is a curse’.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2940 ( Nov. 18, 2024)

If he marries and is a reputable citizen, he forgoes many pleasures for the sake of his children, which again is due to forethought as to their future. Unless he is somewhat exceptional, he guards his tongue, expressing those opinions which will further his advancement, and concealing any which might be thought unorthodox. If he has the ordinary share of ambition, he hopes for success in his work, and is dominated by forethought as to how success is to be achieved. In the end, prudence itself becomes an impulse, and the rest of his instinctive life is atrophied. This is not a fancy picture. It is the actual biography of nine average citizens out of ten in every civilized country. Source: Bertrand Russell: Human Society in Ethics and Politics, 1954, part II: The Conflict of Passions, chapter 3: Forethought and Skill, n.7 More info.： https://russell-j.com/cool/47T-2_0307.htm

a brief comment If you don't have to worry about what people think of you, you don't have to live the kind of life Russell describes here. However, this is not the case unless you are an ‘exceptional person’ (powerful, outstandingly talented or outstanding in some other way) and you have to lead the kind of life Russell describes. 　I'm still not entirely sure why President Trump is so popular with Americans. I imagine that the majority of people who are forced to lead the kind of life Russell describes have a desire to ‘live vicariously through Trump’?　Nevertheless, as comfortable as it may be for Trump's supporters, for those who don't like him, ‘Trump is a curse’.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2939 ( Nov. 17, 2024)

To be happy in this world, especially when youth is past, it is necessary to feel oneself not merely an isolated individual whose day will soon be over, but part of the stream of life flowing on from the first germ to the remote and unknown future. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-060.HTM

a brief comment The Earth is thought to be about 4.6 billion years old and life on Earth is thought to have originated (as amoeba-like single-celled organisms) in the oceans about 3.5 billion years ago. In this way, life on Earth is expected to eventually become extinct. Of course, space exploration will allow it to survive further by migrating to other planets, but a major explosion of the galaxy should send us back into a lifeless universe. 　But that is a distant future that does not concern us with our short lifespan, so it seems better for our mental health to think of ourselves as ‘part of the flow of life from the first embryonic species into the distant unknown future’.

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2939j (Nov. 17, 2024)

　この世で幸せになるためには、特に青年期が過ぎてからは、自分のことをやがて一生を終える孤立した��人としてではなく、最初の胚種から遠い未知の未来へと続く生命の流れの一部であると感じることが必要である。

To be happy in this world, especially when youth is past, it is necessary to feel oneself not merely an isolated individual whose day will soon be over, but part of the stream of life flowing on from the first germ to the remote and unknown future. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-060.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　地球は約46億年前に誕生し、地球上の生命は約35億年前の海の中で（アメーバのような単細胞生物として）誕生したと考えられています。そうして、いずれ地球上の生命は絶滅すると思われます。もちろん、宇宙開発によって他の惑星に移住することによってさらに生きながらえることができるでしょうが、銀河系が大爆発すればまた生命のない宇宙に逆戻りするはずです。 　しかし、そんなことは短命の我々には関係ない遠い将来のことですので、自分を「最初の胚種から遠い未知の未来へと続く生命の流れの一部」と考えるほうが精神衛生上よさそうです。

The Earth is thought to be about 4.6 billion years old and life on Earth is thought to have originated (as amoeba-like single-celled organisms) in the oceans about 3.5 billion years ago. In this way, life on Earth is expected to eventually become extinct. Of course, space exploration will allow it to survive further by migrating to other planets, but a major explosion of the galaxy should send us back into a lifeless universe.

But that is a distant future that does not concern us with our short lifespan, so it seems better for our mental health to think of ourselves as ‘part of the flow of life from the first embryonic species into the distant unknown future’.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2939 ( Nov. 17, 2024)

To be happy in this world, especially when youth is past, it is necessary to feel oneself not merely an isolated individual whose day will soon be over, but part of the stream of life flowing on from the first germ to the remote and unknown future. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.13: The family. More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA24-060.HTM

a brief comment The Earth is thought to be about 4.6 billion years old and life on Earth is thought to have originated (as amoeba-like single-celled organisms) in the oceans about 3.5 billion years ago. In this way, life on Earth is expected to eventually become extinct. Of course, space exploration will allow it to survive further by migrating to other planets, but a major explosion of the galaxy should send us back into a lifeless universe. 　But that is a distant future that does not concern us with our short lifespan, so it seems better for our mental health to think of ourselves as ‘part of the flow of life from the first embryonic species into the distant unknown future’.

[russellian-j]

Bertrand Russell Quotes 366 with images, n2938 ( Nov. 16, 2024)

In youth his liberty is restricted at school, in adult life it is restricted throughout his working hours. All this makes zest more difficult to retain, for the continual restraint tends to produce weariness and boredom. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.11: Zest More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA22-070.HTM

a brief comment Both freedom and bondage are matters of degree, not absolutes. Most people who are old, retired and free cannot escape some frustration or inconvenience, such as having little disposable income, poor health even if money is not a problem, or suffering from the poor performance of their children or grandchildren. Powerful people can also lose their office or influence if they exercise undue power or are dishonest. President Trump, who holds a powerful position of power and appears to have few constraints, will eventually lose his influence. Will this be due to old age, revelations of wrongdoing, assassination or other causes?

[russellian-j]

バートランド・ラッセルの言葉366_画像版 n.2938j (Nov. 16, 2024)

　若い時には学校で自由を制限され、大人になってからは（成人生活においては）勤務時間中ずっと自由を制限される。これら全ては、熱意を持ち続けることをますます困難にする。なぜなら、絶え間なく（思考・感情・行動を）抑制すると疲労や退屈を生じがちだからである。

In youth his liberty is restricted at school, in adult life it is restricted throughout his working hours. All this makes zest more difficult to retain, for the continual restraint tends to produce weariness and boredom. Source: Bertrand Russell: The Conquest of Happiness, 1930, chap.11: Zest More info.： https://russell-j.com/beginner/HA22-070.HTM

＜寸言＞ 　自由も束縛も、絶対的なものではなく、程度問題で��。歳をとって引退して自由になっても、可処分所得が少なかったり、お金に困らなくても健康を害したり、子どもや孫のできが悪くて悩んだり、何らかの不満や不自由から逃げられない人がほとんどです。権力者も不当な権力を行使したり不正を働いたりすれば、失脚したり、影響力がなくなったりします。強大な権力を握り、束縛するものがほとんどないように見えるトランプ大統領もいずれ影響力がなくなるはずです。その原因は、老齢化、不正発覚、暗殺、その他、いずれになるでしょうか？

Both freedom and bondage are matters of degree, not absolutes. Most people who are old, retired and free cannot escape some frustration or inconvenience, such as having little disposable income, poor health even if money is not a problem, or suffering from the poor performance of their children or grandchildren. Powerful people can also lose their office or influence if they exercise undue power or are dishonest. President Trump, who holds a powerful position of power and appears to have few constraints, will eventually lose his influence. Will this be due to old age, revelations of wrongdoing, assassination or other causes?