This quote is actually Antonio Gramsci's critical account on "The formation and spread of the new bourgeoisie in Italy", that he wrote in his "Prison Notebooks. The quote is originally written by Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni in a letter - published in a fascist periodical "Critica Fascista" - to his French friend, litterary historian Claude Fauriel, where he explicitely "glorifies commerce and devalues poetry". The letter continues: "Which of these two occupations is more useful to the culture of humanity, not to mention its comfort?" Then, Gramsci turns to quoting another writer, probably the editor for the periodical where this letter is published, who remarks: "He [Manzoni] values works of hostory and political economy more highly than a rather lightweight litterature. In the letters to his friend Fauriel, he makes very explicit statements about the quality of the italian culture att the time. As for the poets: their traditional megalomania offends him."
In spite of the originally fascist sentiment of the quote above - it really got me thinking! And it seems as an important question of large existential significance. Which side are you on? Are you pragmatic, rational and disciplined? Or are you an abstract thinker, emotional, spontaneous, erratic and wayward daydreamer? What world would you like to live in? A question definitely worth repeating!
This quote is actually Antonio Gramsci's critical account on "The formation and spread of the new bourgeoisie in Italy", that he wrote in his "Prison Notebooks. The quote is originally written by Italian writer Alessandro Manzoni in a letter - published in a fascist periodical "Critica Fascista" - to his French friend, litterary historian Claude Fauriel, where he explicitely "glorifies commerce and devalues poetry". The letter continues: "Which of these two occupations is more useful to the culture of humanity, not to mention its comfort?" Then, Gramsci turns to quoting another writer, probably the editor for the periodical where this letter is published, who remarks: "He [Manzoni] values works of hostory and political economy more highly than a rather lightweight litterature. In the letters to his friend Fauriel, he makes very explicit statements about the quality of the italian culture att the time. As for the poets: their traditional megalomania offends him."
ReplyDeleteIn spite of the originally fascist sentiment of the quote above - it really got me thinking! And it seems as an important question of large existential significance. Which side are you on? Are you pragmatic, rational and disciplined? Or are you an abstract thinker, emotional, spontaneous, erratic and wayward daydreamer? What world would you like to live in? A question definitely worth repeating!
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