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23 November 2010

More wise words

As yet another heap of papers gets sorted, more bon mots emerge, gleaned from radio and reading, jotted on scraps of paper. Some no longer resonate, others still appeal ...

In a recent interview, Ai Wei Wei said - "Life is never guaranteed to be safe so we'd better use it while we're still in the good condition". As he's renowned for his outspokenness in China, he lives close to the edge of "the good condition", and has been under house arrest for several weeks, to prevent him gathering people at his studio to protest its impending demolition. (More photos of his work are here.)
These quotes date back to 2002 -

"When you get your mind out of the way, you do the business" - Joe Strummer, lead singer of The Clash

"My wish now is that more of my works will be born but not consciously created" - Shoji Hamada

Advice from Sheila - "Don't let people live rent-free in your head."

And finally, Flaubert: "To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost."

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