There is always the easy way out, although I am loath to use it. I have no children. I do not watch television and I do not believe in God – all paths taken by mortals to make their lives easier. Children help us to defer the painful task of confronting ourselves, and grandchildren take over from them. Television distracts us from the onerous necessity of finding projects to construct in the vacuity of our frivolous lives: by beguiling our eyes, television releases our mind from the great work of making meaning. Finally, God appeases our animal fears and the unbearable prospect that someday all our pleasures will cease. Thus, as I have neither future nor progeny nor pixels to deaden the cosmic awareness of absurdity, and in the certainty of the end and the anticipation of the void, I believe I can affirm that I have not chosen the easy path.
– from The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
Wow. I read this over three times. Some great insight but a pretty harsh reflection/judgment on the choices other people make in life. Hers is definitely not an easy path.
Posted by: Beth | March 17, 2009 at 02:22 PM
I have no idea if it is the author's actual view on life, but it is the perspective of one of the main characters in Barbery's novel. And what a character she is!
Posted by: patricia | March 17, 2009 at 02:29 PM
I like this quote.
The title of the book sounds familiar. Hmmm.... very thought-provoking stuff. I myself believe in "God" per se, but totally not the sort of God that we are supposed to be believing in.
[That must sound retarded].
Patricia, be sure to enter my Book Giveaway contest thingamajigger.
Posted by: cipriano | March 17, 2009 at 11:14 PM
My goodness! As someone who is childless this makes me think of children and grandchildren in a new way...TV & God I already figured out!
Posted by: Quotesqueen | March 30, 2009 at 05:42 PM