Travels etc.

Chris Torrens in his book " Doing Business in China " uses quotes and proverbs for every chapter. One of them is "A conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study. Chinese proverb" on page 87. I was curious to find out how it may sound in Chinese and after some research found the following quote: "A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than ten years' study of books." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Hyperion (1839), Chapter VII. Quoted from the Chinese. Interesting twist, isn't it? Then I found a book " Chinese Moral Maxims: With a Free and Verbal Translation, Affording Examples of the Grammatical Structure of the Language " by John Francis Davis, F.R.S. The book was published in 1823. The compilation of idioms in the book was made in 1818 to help students who are learning Chinese and "other Persons to whom it may not be altogether devoid of interest". The quoted proverb is on the pa...

I’d like to start with some hypothetical examples. Example 1 . You might have seen somebody saying: “Machiavelli: The end justifies the means” or “As Machiavelli said: The end justifies the means”. Example 2 . “Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi” Example 3 . “The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell”. Or “Don’t argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience. — Greg King” Example 4 . “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. – Confucius” or “Everything comes to you at the right time. Just be patient.” I am sure some of us are faced with the examples above or similar quotes quite often. Let’s look at them in detail and see how the quotes are usually used and how it can be improved. Usually there are several reasons to use a quote that appear separately or in combination with each other: a) Support...

Interesting book for those engaged in Australian and World War 2 history. Lt Colonel John Robertson of the 2/29th Battalion AIF, a decorated veteran of the First World War, was killed in action in Malaya on 17 January 1942, the first day of his Battalion’s encounter with Japanese forces. His death devastated his men but they continued to revere Robbie as they endured more than three years of captivity. By contrast, some historians have described him as too old and hide-bound for command, as having lost the confidence of General Gordon Bennett, and as having imperilled his troops by refusing to co-operate with the battery from the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment. Grandson Andrew Warland asks whether the evidence supports such views. Reproducing the letters Robbie wrote home to his family in 1940–42, he presents a fascinating study of a man who left his family and his business, and ultimately gave his life, to make (in his own words) ‘a better world for us all’. http://www.scholarl...

The Wealth of Nations: An Inquiry into the Nature & Causes of the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith My rating: 5 of 5 stars Have just finished this book. It has been a long process, but fully rewarding. It's the hardest book I have ever read. Firstly because of the author style and secondly because of my habit to read everything in the book and not jump to the next section until I understand the current one. I have heard of Adam Smith's ideas from other sources before, but now I see that majority of those who said Smith is this or Smith is that - haven't read this book at all. In addition to that, many people think theories of 17th and 18th century don't work today. however during the whole time of reading I have had a feeling that Smith has written about today with only a few differences. I highly recommend this book to everyone who is interested in how everything works around us. View all my reviews

Английский аристократ 20-го века о веке 19-м. Есть чувство, что даже в 21-м веке русские аристократы всё такие же. Только Париж у них расширился на другие места: "Alexander, it is true, had a certain snobbish respect for Athenian civilization, but this was common to his whole dynasty, who wished to prove that they were not barbarians. It was analogous to the feeling of nineteenth-century Russian aristocrats for Paris." Russell, B. (1945). A History of Western Philosophy. New York: Simon and Schuster, p. 161

From Plato’s cosmogony: "If a man lives well, he goes, after death, to live happily forever in his star. But if he lives badly, he will, in the next life, be a woman …" Russell, B. (1945). A History of Western Philosophy. New York: Simon and Schuster, p. 145

Чтобы не деградировать в пещерное состояние, считаю необходимым читать книги. Только не все подряд, а в строгом соответствии с концепцией познавания окружающего мира по конкретным темам, учитывая при этом авторитет и опыт автора книги в определённой области. Некоторые авторы могут книг и не писать, но публиковать разные материалы и заметки. Так как умные книжки бывают толстые, а чтение не может занимать много времени по причине того, что мне не позволяет совесть просто сесть и читать в то время как не сделана срочная и важная работа, или дети не спят, то читать можно только во время перемещений между работой и домом на общественном транспорте, или когда хочется посмотреть в процессе Важной работы какой-нибудь порно-сайт с новостями или фэйсбук. Также есть надобность переключения внимания между видами деятельности, темами для исследования и т.п. Возникает задача упорядочить процесс чтения с целью усвоения прочитанного, а также чтобы не остопиздело по ходу....

Have started reading a book "Primitive Culture" by Edward Burnett Tylor: It's a serious book from one of the founders of social anthropology. Very interesting and helps understanding many aspects of human culture development.

Have recently bought a couple of books about history for children. Straight away checked the pages about World War II. The quiz: spot a single world about Soviet Union or at least Russia? In one of the books there is a Soviet banner, but it's not clear from the text how did it appear in Berlin. Magically?

25 лет назад прочитал эту книжку на одном дыхании несколько раз. По итогам чтения брал инструмент и хуячил из деревяшек корабли. Друзья-товарищи тоже прониклись идеей,  прочитали, и мы устраивали баталии по мотивам. Третьего дня пытался вспомнить название, а вот и нашёл саму книгу: " След за кормой " Очень познавательная и увлекательная.

Over the weekend have watched one of the funniest comedies - The Guard: It's a great combination of good actors, clever scenario and humor. A couple of months ago I started reading the book by Bertrand Russell " A History of Western Philosophy ". It was interesting to see that he was discussed in the movie.

Over the weekend have watched Fantastic Mr. Fox . Great movie with very clever story, wonderful actors and awesome music. It's based on Roald Dahl's book Fantastic Mr. Fox   After watching the movie I have decided to read the book as well.