Friendship, Politics, and the Inspiration of Poetry
With my friend Gustavo Esteva I explore the nature of real friendship, its relationship to politics in a time of upheaval, and the necessity of poetry as reflected in chapter 79, “Friendship,” of THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural.
Here are a few highlights and where in the video you can find them:
- “Friendship is not a face smiling” and the inner smile of real friendship, even in the face of anger or depression: 4:36
- Friendship as beyond expectations: 14:19
- The place of friendship in the life of Ivan Illich and in politics: 18:17
- A question from Gustavo about the meanings of verse 782, “Friendship with wise souls—a moon waxing—fellowship / With fools—a moon waning”: 37:00
- The great need for the inspiration of poetry in the great desperation of present circumstances: 44:18
- Where Gustavo’s many writings are being collected and organized to be shared with anyone who wish to read them: 51:00
Here are the verses we talked about, in both English and Tamil:
From chapter 79, “Friendship.”
Translated from the Tamil by Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma
THE KURAL: Tiruvalluvar’s Tirukkural
Beacon Press, Boston