Shutters and Taxes

In English, there is a specific term for a type of external window protection against light and weather: “shutters.” In Italy, these go by many names, even though the mechanism is always the same! The mechanism originated outside of Italy, probably in Persia (modern-day Iran), but due to Italian mercantile dominance in the Mediterranean, it … Read more

He who does not live to serve… does not deserve to live

Roberto Vecchioni is an Italian singer-songwriter, lyricist, writer, poet, and teacher. His lyrics are true poetry.He was a philosophy professor at a classical high school in Italy for 30 years; since teachers in Italy are generally paid less than other public employees, many pursue secondary interests to supplement their income. He became a great singer-songwriter … Read more

Just because you are offended, it does not mean you are right

Sometime ago, one of my daily posts deeply saddened and offended someone. May I remind all of you once more that there is nothing personal in these posts, meaning that they are not addressed to anyone and only reflect my own mood and thoughts. Yesterday evening I was watching Ricky Gervais on tv, and I … Read more

These are common-sense management rules

These are common-sense management rules.Would you consider them appropriate also in your private life? 1) Do not expect to be undestood, expect to be misunderstood. 2) Work on the things no one else can do and delegate the rest (… and let your friends, family help you with the rest). 3) Clarify roles on your … Read more

The less talent they have …

Quote reinterpretated in Modern English:“The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have.All these fools, however, find other fools who applaud them.” Original Latin text:“Quo quisque stultior, hoc pluris sibi videtur, et quemadmodum plurimis placet, ita plurimos probat.” Literal translation:“The more foolish a man is, the more he will think of … Read more

Everything flows – Pánta rheî

Everything flows – Pánta rheî In Parmenides’ philosophy, Being is a perfect sphere, finite and unchanging in space and time. Heraclitus twists this conception by introducing the concept of becoming, which can be summed up in a phrase that has become famous: Panta Rhei, everything flows, everything is subject to the laws of inexorable change. … Read more

Some laughter!

Teacher: How old is your father?Kid: He is 6 years.Teacher: What? How is this possible?Kid: He became father only when I was born.(Logic!! Children are quick and always speak their minds.) TEACHER: Maria, go to the map and find North America.MARIA: Here it is.TEACHER: Correct. Now, Class, who discovered America?CLASS: Maria. TEACHER: Glenn, how do … Read more