The other day, one German student came to my office to join our Health Insurance. When I was explaining our policy to him, I noticed he had a book about Wittgenstein in his hand, apparently, the memoir written by Ray Monk. So, I asked him if he studies philosophy, and told him that I have read that book when I was a student. He seemed to be very surprised by my question, I don’t know he was surprised either because I have read his book or because I know his name. To my surprise this time, he showed more astonishment to know there are Japanese translations of his works.
When I was at his age, there was time when I was deeply into this doubtlessly ingenious Austrian philosopher, who was famous for not only his scintillating acumens on the world, but also countless anecdotes of his eccentric character and his life. I had a gut feeling that I shared the same metaphysical questions, but alas, I couldn’t sharpen my philosophical instinct enough to penetrate his convoluted works. I tried to read analytical books written for students or general public to understand his general idea, but to no avail. Nonetheless, his piercing eyes were branded in my brain and still I keep my respect and ambition that someday I will understand his works.
When I was at his age, there was time when I was deeply into this doubtlessly ingenious Austrian philosopher, who was famous for not only his scintillating acumens on the world, but also countless anecdotes of his eccentric character and his life. I had a gut feeling that I shared the same metaphysical questions, but alas, I couldn’t sharpen my philosophical instinct enough to penetrate his convoluted works. I tried to read analytical books written for students or general public to understand his general idea, but to no avail. Nonetheless, his piercing eyes were branded in my brain and still I keep my respect and ambition that someday I will understand his works.
Although we didn’t speak much about him at our health insurance counter, that small chatting made my day. I get lots of complains from residents at my workplace everyday, and I have tons of complains about my workplace. But, such a small conversation with people is really rewarding to me, sometimes.
2 comments:
Unexpected conversations and chance encounters are what makes life so much fun!
Good writing. Keep it up!
thanks for your comment.
yeah, i think so. i hope i can make somebody feel happy with my talking to them.
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