Madame Bovary

Eravamo nell’aula adibita allo studio, quando il preside entrò, seguito da un nuovo vestito in abiti borghesi e da un bidello che portava un grande banco. Quelli che dormivano si svegliarono, e tutti si alzarono, come sorpresi nel mezzo del loro lavoro.
[incipit]

Guards! Guards!

They may be called the Palace Guard, the City Guard, or the Patrol. Whatever the name, their purpose in any work of heroic fantasy is identical: it is, round about Chapter Three (or ten minutes into the film) to rush into the room, attack the hero one at a time, and be slaughtered. No one ever asks them if they wanted to.
This book is dedicated to those fine men.

(Terry Pratchett in the Dedication)

Welcome to Night Vale, episode 63 - There Is No Part 1: Part 2

Today's proverb: History is written by the victors. And then forgotten by the victors. And then the victors die, too.

L’armata Brancaleone

Brancaleone: Taccone, ‘nnalza le insegne!
Taccone: Non le tengo!
Brancaleone: Bene, e tu levale in alto!

La stagione della migrazione a Nord

Tornai alla mia gente, signori miei, dopo una lunga assenza, sette anni per la precisione, durante i quali ero stato in Europa ad apprendere. Avevo appreso molto, e molto mi era sfuggito, ma quella è un’altra storia.
[incipit]

Welcome to Night Vale, episode 61 - BRINY DEPTHS

There's nothing under your bed. Nothing in your closet. Nothing waiting in the hall. You are surrounded by nothing. You cannot escape it.
Welcome to Night Vale.

Think of Others

Think of Others

As you prepare your breakfast, think of others
(do not forget the pigeon’s food).

As you conduct your wars, think of others
(do not forget those who seek peace).

As you pay your water bill, think of others
(those who are nursed by clouds).

As you return home, to your home, think of others
(do not forget the people of the camps).

As you sleep and count the stars, think of others
(those who have nowhere to sleep).

As you liberate yourself in metaphor, think of others
(those who have lost the right to speak).

As you think of others far away, think of yourself
(say: “If only I were a candle in the dark”).

Mahmoud Darwish