A Gentleman in Moscow

by Amor Towles

Generally prized industry over nonsense

Adversity presents itself in many forms and if a man does not master his circumstances then he is bound to be mastered by them

By diverse means we arrive at the same end

A new generation owes a measure of thanks to every member of the previous generation. Our elders planted fields and fought in wars, they advanced the arts and science, and generally made sacrifices on our behalf - so by their efforts, however humble, they have earned a measure of our gratitude and respect.

[he] found political discourse of any persuasion to be tedious

Consider the charming looking chap who was now touring the room shaking hands and patting backs, having systematically made an impression in every corner with a weighty remark her and a witty remark there.

One of those rare executives who has mastered the secret of delegation. That is, having assigned the oversight of various functions to capable lieutenants, he made himself scarce. Arriving at half past eight he would head straight to his office as if he were already late for a meeting. Along the way he would return greetings with an abbreviated nod and when he passed his secretary he would inform her, while still in motion, that he was not to be disturbed. Then he would disappear behind his door.

…but was it essential to the modern world? The times in fact change, they change relentlessly, inevitably, inventively and as they change they set into bright relief not only outmoded honorifics and hunting horns but silver summoners and mother of pearl opera glasses and all manner of carefully crafted things that have outlived their usefulness.

It is simply agreed that the wise man celebrates what he can

If patience wasn’t so easily tested then it would hardly be a virtue

Whether through careful consideration spawned by books and spirited debate over choice at two in the morning, or simply from a natural proclivity, we must all eventually adopt a fundamental framework. Some reasonably coherent system of causes and effects that will help us make sense, not simply of momentous events, but of all the little options and interactions that constitute our daily lives. Be they deliberate or spontaneous, inevitable or unforeseen.

Whether they favored the unflinching hand of the Old Testament or the more forgiving hand of the New, their submission to the will of God helped to understand our at least accept the inescapable course of events.

Some preferred the clarity of science adhering to the ideals of Darwin seeing at every turn the mark of natural selection. While others opted for Nietsche and his eternal recurrence or Hegel and his dialectic each system quite sensible no doubt when one has finally arrived at the one thousandth page.

His dialectical leanings had always been essentially meteorological- specifically he believed in the inevitable influence of Clement and inclement weathers. He believed in the influence of early frosts and lingering summers, of ominous clouds and delicate rains, of fog and sunshine and snowfall. And he believed most especially in the reshaping of destinies by the slightest change in the thermometer. By way of example one need only look down from this window.

we have evolved as a species to pay the utmost attention to that which is just beyond our reach

The room remained under the tenuous authority of sleep. As yet unchallenged Somnolence continued to cast its shadow over sights and sensations, over forms and formulations, over what has been said and what must be done-lending each time insubstantiality of its domain.

History is the business of identifying momentous events from the comfort of a hibachi chair. With the element of time the historian looks back and points to a date in the manner of a grey haired Field Marshall pointing to a river on a map -there it was, the turning point, the decisive factor, that fateful day that fundamentally altered all that was to follow.

Nearly overcome I recalled that great affirmation, that proclamation, that promise- ALWAYS TO SHINE, TO SHINE EVERYWHERE - to the very depths of the last days.

There as the sun begins to rise He is overcome with thoughts of an affirmation, a proclamation, a promise to shine everywhere and always to the very depths of the last days - which, after all, is all that anyone has ever asked of love.

Never again would he walk <that path > without feeling an unbearable sense of loss and that is just how it should be. That sense of loss is exactly what we must anticipate, prepare for, and cherish to the last of our days. For it is only our heartbreak that finally refutes all that is ephemeral in love.

<She> was and always would be a serious soul in search of serious ideas to be serious about.

To hear <her> talk of her upcoming journey she’s so passionate, so self assured and perhaps so single minded that she seems almost humorless. Like some dauntless explorers she seems ready to place her flag in a polar ice cap and claim it in the name of inevitability, but i can’t help suspecting that all the while her happiness may be waiting in another latitude altogether.

<She> is so determined I fear that the force of her convictions will interfere with the joys of her youth.

There were many factors within and without <her> control that contributed to her resurgence… what about you? No doesn’t there have been moments when your life has taken a leap forward and no doubt you look back upon those moments with self assurance and pride, but was there really no this part deserving of a modicum of credit? Some mentor, family friend or school mate who gave timely advice, made an introduction out put on a complimentary word. So let us not dissect the hows and whys. It is enough to know that <she> was once again a star.

Exhibiting someone simultaneously the confidence of the master and the inexperience of the apprentice

…hasn’t the slightest doubt that the sun would shine tomorrow that most people were generous at heart and that when all was said and done things served to work out for the best.

Every country has its grand canvas- the so called masterpiece that hangs in a hallowed hall and sums up the national identity for generations to come. For the fender it is Delacroix’s “Liberty leading the people”, for the Dutch Rembrandts “night watc, for the Americans “Washington crossing the Delaware “and for we Russians it is a pair of twins Nicolas Gay’s “Peter the Great interrogating Alexei” and Ilya repins Ivan the terrible and his son “.

Our poets we either silence or wait patiently for them to silence themselves

I suddenly understood that this propensity for self destruction was not an abomination, not something to be ashamed of or abhorred it was our greatest strength. We turn the gun on ourselves not because we are not indifferent or less cultured… On the contrary, we are prepared to destroy that which we have created because we believe more… in the power of the picture, the poem, the prayer or the person

Is it possible that he is right in his opinions while being wrong in his sentiments?

There are No more sympathetic souls than strangers

When fate has something down to parity it does so behind his back

So that they might remember, we must forget

How slowly the stars advance… at 22

A present should are his hesitations and then take the steps back (not for or five) so that a child can make a decision by herself even eve that decision may lead to disappointment.

If serenity should be a hallmark of maturity then imperiousness should be a hallmark of youth

Potential is fulfilled by setting forth into the vast unknown

What matters in life is not whether we receive a round of applause but whether we have the courage to venture forth despite the uncertainty of acclaim

It seems to me there are people play an essential role at every turn, and i don’t just mean the Napoleons who influence the course of history.i mean men and women who routinely appear at critical junctures in the progress of art or commerce or the evolution of ideas as if life itself has summoned them once again to help fulfill its purpose.

Fate does not take sides it is fair minded and generally prefers to maintain some balance between the likelihood of success and failure in all our endeavors

Cruelty knows that it has no need of histrionics. It can be as calm and quiet as , it can sigh or lightly shake its head in disbelief, or offer a sympathetic apology for whatever it must do. It can move slowly, methodically, inevitably.

Eyes are steered by uncertainties, many of which are disruptive, even daunting but if we persevere and our generous heart, we may be granted a moment, some supreme lucidity moment in which all that has happened to us suddenly comes into focus as a necessary course of events, even as we find ourselves on the threshold of of a gold that we had made meant to lead all along

Profound fits of loyalty and rightness, which has become increasingly rare to feel

Llfaith that by the smallest of what action what can restore some sense of order to the world?