Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead

by Olga Tokarczuk

There are more than enough traits and Characteristics in this world for each of us to be richly endowed,

For as a flock they’re capable of fighting, in a very special, perfidious way, and also of taking revenge—they swiftly soar into the air, then in perfect unison they defecate on their oppressor—dozens of white droppings land on the predator’s lovely wings, soiling them, gluing them together, and coating the feathers in corrosive acid.

Spring is just a short interlude, after which the mighty armies of death advance; they’re already besieging the city walls. We live in a state of siege. If one takes a close look at each fragment of a moment, one might choke with terror. Within our bodies disintegration inexorably advances; soon we shall fall sick and die. Our loved ones will leave us, the memory of them will dissolve in the tumult; nothing will remain. Just a few clothes in the wardrobe and someone in a photograph, no longer recognized. The most precious memories will dissipate. Everything will sink into darkness and vanish.

Other people’s life stories are not a topic for debate. One should hear them out, and reciprocate in the same coin.

Being healthy is an insecure state and does not bode well. It’s better to be ill in a quiet way, then at least we know what we’re going to die of.

The psyche is our defense system—it makes sure we’ll never understand what’s going on around us. Its main task is to filter information, even though the capabilities of our brains are enormous. For it would be impossible to carry the weight of this knowledge. Because every tiny particle of the world is made of suffering.

Whenever some dubious rip-off is organized, they always drag children into it from the very start.

that the point here was appropriation via antithesis.