Redtree Times

And Peace Arrives— Now at the Principle Gallery

To compose our character is our duty, not to compose books, and to win, not battles and provinces, but order and tranquility in our conduct. Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately. All other things, ruling, hoarding, building, are only little appendages and props, at most.

—Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1588

Our great and glorious masterpiece is to live appropriately…

The passage above is from the influential French philosopher Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) is from his final essay, Of Experience.

As is the case with so many things of consequence, the task he sets before us– to live with order and tranquility– seems simple yet is difficult to achieve.

Simplicity is always harder to achieve than one might think. In life and in art.

That’s it for today. Any more would be too much.

Here’s a version of the great Beatles song Across the Universe that I like from Rufus Wainwright. Seems to fit the morning.

Be good.