#de assis

[theshatterednotes]

Brazilian author Machado de Assis

[vulnerasti-cor-meum]

If Looks Could Kill

I didn´t kill her because I didn´t have iron, rope, pistol nor dagger in my hands; but the eyes I laid on her, if they could have killed , would have done it. 

One of Providence´s mistakes was allowing men only the arms and teeth, as weapons of attack, and legs as weapons of escape or defense. The eyes were enough for the first effect. A move from them would stop or strike down an enemy or a rival, would exercise immediate revenge, with the addition that, to bewilder justice, the same killer eyes would be merciful eyes, and would rush to weep for the victim.

De Assis, Machado. Dom Casmurro (p. 177). Kindle Edition.

[vulnerasti-cor-meum]

Sofas: the world in microcosm

I have a particular opinion about sofas. It reconciles intimacy and decorum, and shows the entire house with no need to leave the sitting room. Two men sitting on it may debate the destiny of an empire, two women the grace of a dress; but, a man and a woman will only by an aberration of natural laws speak of anything other than themselves.

De Assis, Machado. Dom Casmurro (p. 179). Kindle Edition.

[vulnerasti-cor-meum]

A Mother’s Vows

In common life, the act of a third party would not free the debtor from his obligation; but the advantage of sealing a contract with Heaven is that intention is worth money.  

 There has to have been conflicts similar to these, and, if thou art religious, you will have tried sometime to reconcile Heaven and earth, in an identical or analogous way. Heaven and earth end up reconciling; they are almost twin brothers, for sky was made on the second day and earth on the third. 

Like Abraham, my mother took her son to the mount of Vision, and also the wood for the holocaust, the fire and the cleaver. And tied Isaac to the wood, took the cleaver and raised it high. In the moment to bring it down, hears the voice of the angel who orders her on the Lord´s behalf: “Do not bring harm to your child; I see you fear God.” 

That would be my mother´s secret hope.

De Assis, Machado. Dom Casmurro (p. 176). Kindle Edition.

[Context: narrator’s mother vowed to God upon his birth to send him to seminary]

[citazione]

Suponho o espírito humano uma vasta concha, o meu fim, Sr. Soares, é ver se posso extrair a pérola, que é a razão; por outros termos, demarquemos definitivamente os limites da razão e da loucura. A razão é o perfeito equilíbrio de todas as faculdades; fora daí insânia, insânia e só insânia. (...) Com a definição atual, que é a de todos os tempos, acrescentou, a loucura e a razão estão perfeitamente delimitadas. Sabe-se onde uma acaba e onde a outra começa. Para que transpor a cerca?

Machado de Assis em O Alienista

[cerebroexterno-blog]

O vigário é que esteve dois meses doente de uma febre maligna e ninguém pensava que arribasse; mas arribou

ASSIS, Machado de.

Histórias da Meia-Noite - A Parasita Azul

[quotes-for-reference]

To him the stars seemed like so many musical notes affixed to the sky, just waiting for somebody to unfasten them.

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis

[archeryroad]

The USMNT in Brazil: Hope sleeps on the couch

1. Wondolowski almost had it: on the foot, nothing in front of him but the notion of the possibility of the chance appearance of the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, the United States got the ball...

I'll try to post one of my all-time favorite pieces each week. The first edition of my picks: Sports blogger Spencer Hall reflects on the World Cup, Brazilian poetry, and life.