Roberto Grippi Apparently, it is impolite to say ‘you are getting on my fucking tits’. So, for the sake of civility, why not go with something more ‘poetic’—like ‘you are the Monday of my life’? It is the same soul-crushing sentiment, just wrapped in metaphor. Because nothing says ‘you ruin everything’ quite like being compared to the … Read more
“De minimis non curat praetor” is a Latin legal maxim meaning “The magistrate does not concern himself with trifles.” This principle reflects the idea that the law does not bother with insignificant or minor matters. In modern legal contexts, it serves as a reminder that courts typically avoid addressing trivial issues that do not result … Read more
“Accattati un parrapicca” is a vivid Sicilian saying that literally translates to:“Buy yourself a ‘parrapicca.’ “ The word ‘parrapicca’ is a made-up, whimsical term—often imagined as a toy or gadget meant to occupy someone who is being overly chatty, meddlesome, or just plain annoying. This expression is typically used to playfully tell someone to keep … Read more
“Ci voli u ventu in chiesa, ma no astutare i cannili!”(Sicilian saying) “There needs to be fresh air in the church, but don’t blow out the candles.” It is a Sicilian metaphor about balance: the “wind” symbolizes change, renewal, or perhaps transparency, while the “candles” represent faith, tradition, or what is sacred and essential. So, … Read more
“Another roof, another proof.”(Paul Erdős) Paul Erdős (1913–1996) was a renowned Hungarian mathematician, celebrated as one of the most prolific contributors to mathematics and mathematical conjectures of the 20th century. He was widely recognized not only for the vast number of collaborators he worked with—over 500 in total—but also for his unconventional and nomadic way … Read more
A symbolic and graceful sequence — the liturgy of the liquid. A poetic ritual shared among friends, with glasses of wine taking centre stage. A circle of companions, glasses filled — all moving in unison, following the gestures: Extension – The arm reaches forward, glass in hand. The body opens as the glass moves away. … Read more
“It is impossible for a man to learn what he believes he already knows.” (Epictetus) The paradox of wisdom is this: the moment someone assumes they have mastered everything, they quietly resign from the act of learning. Why bother with curiosity when certainty is so much more comfortable? Ironically, it is often the self-proclaimed “enlightened” … Read more
“All would be lost if the same man, or the same body of magnates, nobles, or people, were to exercise these three powers: that of making laws, that of executing public decisions, and that of judging crimes.” At a time when everything is being revoked, including the fundamental principles of democratic coexistence, rereading Montesquieu means … Read more
“Marriage is when one person is always right, and the other person is a husband.” As everyone knows, a successful marriage is simply the art of a man learning to nod, smile, and pretend his opinions matter. Meanwhile, his wife, blessed with an innate understanding of all things (including his mistakes before he even makes … Read more
“Appreciate the person who taught you to drive for the first time, because they were more terrified than you, yet they still trusted you!” Picture them, gripping the passenger seat with a level of tension typically reserved for hostage situations, their foot instinctively slamming the imaginary brake as you confidently attempted to navigate a roundabout … Read more
In Sicily, there are three unwritten rules you absolutely must know — or face the mildly threatening charm of an offended friend or relative. 1 – When a Sicilian says, “Drop by sometime,” it’s not small talk. This is not just filler chatter like you toss around in colder climates. No — it is a … Read more
ZANY The “Zanni” was a comic character from ancient Roman theatre who later became a staple figure in the commedia dell’arte. One of the most recognisable examples of this type is Harlequin (Arlecchino). The roots of the term stretch back even further—to ancient Greece—where the word “Sannos” described someone foolish or laughable.This idea was absorbed … Read more
Europe and the moral re-armament of citizens Money for new weapons will not be enough. Nor will the goodwill of governments. When Senator Claude Malhuret delivered his speech before the French Senate, it sparked a media storm. This elderly doctor, a former president of Médecins Sans Frontières (hardly a die-hard militarist), is certainly not the … Read more
“My wife and I decided we do not want children. It was a difficult decision, but we are telling them tonight.”
7 Signs a woman is at her limit The points discussed yesterday are just as relevant to women. The signs of emotional exhaustion—withdrawal, burnout, silence, avoidance, and autopilot living—are not exclusive to men; they apply to women just as much. Women also face overwhelming pressures from work, relationships, family, and personal struggles, leading to emotional … Read more
7 Signs a Man is at His Limit(Today men, tomorrow about women …) 1 – He says “it is fine” to everythingHe stops arguing or explaining—not because he agrees, but because he has given up on being understood. 2 – He isolates himselfSpending extra time alone—long showers, aimless drives—is his way of escaping the pressure. … Read more
Did you know Shakespeare wrote all his masterpieces without ever using the letter “J”? That is because during his lifetime, “I” and “J” were considered the same letter. In 1524, an Italian scholar named Gian Giorgio Trissino argued these letters should be separate. But it wasn’t until after Shakespeare’s death, around 1629, that English publications … Read more
Nella punteggiatura, la virgola seriale (o anche virgola di Oxford o virgola di Harvard; in inglese: serial comma, Oxford comma, o Harvard comma) è una virgola prima della congiunzione (in genere “e”), al fine di esprimere in modo più corretto il significato della frase.
“No matter how much you deny the truth, it remains the truth.”(George Orwell) This serves as a clear reminder that reality remains unaffected by wishful thinking, denial, or propaganda. No matter how vehemently one dismisses facts, they remain constant, unmoved by personal beliefs or political motives. In a time where misinformation spreads easily and truth … Read more
“We were not expected to have a future; we were meant to marry it.”(Nora Ephron) Nora Ephron, a sharp and witty observer of gender roles, encapsulates in this quote the traditional societal expectations placed on women, particularly in the mid-20th century. The statement reflects how women were historically not encouraged to pursue independent futures, careers, … Read more