The Art Of Words

There is no difference between a precious stone andGreek writer Kazantzakis, to the Athenian editor
a common stone in their building structure, except'Pervelakis', because I did not put soul into it. Many
only in the rearrangement of their particles. Thewriters have experience in these kinds of moments,
carbon in the charcoal and diamond, for instance, iswhen they write egocentrically.
the same, except for the different arrangement ofOne word to write wrongly, and immediately our
their molecules, namely the crystallization. Yet... howsouls interrupt the flow. Like the unskilful musician,
far apart are they in beauty and value compared towho plays false a note in an orchestra, and is
each other. The pearl and the seashell have alsointerrupted instantaneously by the maestro to
identical structural synthesis; yet the pearl is superiorrestore the lyrical harmony. Who writes literature
in beauty and as cosmetic value. Similar situations wethen, our selves or some outside power? Could it be
observe also in human beings. Two humans have thethat we become an instrument for the spirit to
same ideas and words to speak and write, yet onedeliver a message to humanity? Naturally, not all
produces literature and the other platitude. Why doeswriting is spiritually endorsed; because all depends on
this happen? What element made them differ sothe spiritual level of the individual. A hill has a better
widely?view over the landscape than a flat valley, but only
The secret lies only in the presentation of theiron the mountain noetic peak is one nearer to indigo
thoughts. A finer and more compendious process hassky and to mysterious glimmering stars.
gone on in the one case than in the other. TheHow does one become spiritually aware to write well,
words are fused and knitted closer; in some wayis the question? Here is what the philosopher 'Ralph
heightened and intensified so lyrically like the soundsWaldo Emerson' has to say on the subject.
of Aeolian harp. Philosophising literature, offers joy,"If, never the less, God has called any of you to
enthusiasm, knowledge and creative excitement to aexplore truth and beauty, be bold, be firm, be true.
mature reader. Such enviable writing remains anWhen you shall say that as others dιd, so will I.
indelible and inexhaustible source of mental inspirationI am sorry for my early visions; I must eat the good
to ever-searching humanity.of the land and let learning and romantic expectations
Paging through famous literature biographies andgo until a more convenient season. Then dies the
essays on virtue like that of ancient writer Plutarch;spiritual man in you; then once more perish the buds
we feel mentally and spiritually wealthier by readingof arts, prose, poetry and science, as they have died
his celestial treasures. Justly the French thinker 'Michelalready in a thousand and thousand of men. The
Mountain' called him the 'physician of the soul'. Realhours of that choice, is the crisis of your history; and
profound literature is not written to project egoisticsee that you hold yourself fast by the intellect. Bent
and vanity, but to love and be loved. A skilful writerto the persuasion which is flowing to you from every
never leaves his readers where he finds them initially,object in nature, to be its tongue to the heart of
but enriches and inspires them to a higher spiritualman, and to show the besotted world how passing
platform. "Do not read books that your soul dislikesfair is wisdom.
them," said Shakespeare," you wasting your time toBe contained with a little light that it is your own.
receive no benefit." Books written with a deeperExplore and explore. Be neither chided nor flattered
soul, are recognised instantaneously by reading only aout of your perpetual inquiry. Neither dogmatise nor
few words anywhere amongst the pages. "There areaccept another's dogmatism. Why should you
three types of books like our food," said Francisrenounce your right to traverse the star-lit desert of
Bacon,"1. Those we eat (read) and immediately spittruth, for the premature comforts of an acre, house,
out as unsuitable food (knowledge). 2. Those that weand barn? Truth also has its roof, bed, and board.
eat (read) pleasantly and fall short to nourishMake yourself necessary to the world, and mankind
(educate). 3. Those that require slow chewingwill give you bread. "
(reading) to extract their nourishing substances well".You will not fear that I am enjoying too stern an
When we read advanced spiritual works, like that ofasceticism. Ask not, of what use is a scholarship that
Neo-platonic writer 'Synicious', we discover that he issystematically retreats? Or who is the better for the
in love with divine truth as he writes. Every word isphilosopher who conceals his accomplishment and
loaded with mystery and exquisite celestial music,hides his thoughts from the waiting world. Hide his
which brings our soul to ecstasy, like walking inthoughts! Hide the sun and the moon! Thoughts are
Eleusinian ancient mysteries. We revive the ancientall light, and publish them selves freely into the
celestial ceremonies again, as if we lived in thoseuniverse. It will speak, though you are dumb by its
practising days too. This is the supreme aim ofown miraculous organ. It will flow out of your actions,
literature, to extend our vision higher with theyour manners, and your face. It will bring you
majestic truth which they contain. Without the truth,friendship and impledge you to truth by the love and
as a captain in a writing ship, no soul will follow ourexpectations of generous minds. By virtue of the
literal journey. Here exactly we find the soulful andlaws of nature, which is one and perfect, it shall yield
un-soulful writings. From here, we collect lexicalevery sincere good that is in the soul, to the scholar
ambrosia to groom our thoughts and words withbeloved of earth and heavens.
celestial glory. Do not publish this letter, said the