

“Q: "Do these people ever shut up?"
A: "Never. They're afraid to shut up, because if they do, they'll have to hear themselves think, and all they'll hear will be silence. The less someone has to say, the more they say. No banality or triviality is off the table as far as subject matter is concerned. Were it not for stating the obvious in ready-made phrases, they would never speak. One almost never overhears intelligent conversation in public. Think about it: How often is one struck with the thought: What a rich, sonorous voice that man has; 'he is expressing himself so eloquently upon such a worthy subject"? Never. The emptier one's mind, the louder and faster they talk, and the more reliant they are upon clichés as a means of communication. Because they have no thoughts to speak of, they never shut up. They fear the silence that will confirm their emptiness, and fill it with mindless gabble and amplified insincerity. If they gave themselves time to think, they'd never say anything; it would be too taxing on their meager resources. An empty head is necessary in order to endlessly keep talking; the emptiness serves as a sort of fuel. As well as ignorance, it takes a certain amount of arrogance to loudly conduct a private conversation in public. Most thoughtful and sensitive members of society, or even polite outcasts, don't shout in public; they keep their voices down, not wanting to inflict their utterances upon strangers. Some people never shut up. I can't talk for that long, ever.”
― Service
A: "Never. They're afraid to shut up, because if they do, they'll have to hear themselves think, and all they'll hear will be silence. The less someone has to say, the more they say. No banality or triviality is off the table as far as subject matter is concerned. Were it not for stating the obvious in ready-made phrases, they would never speak. One almost never overhears intelligent conversation in public. Think about it: How often is one struck with the thought: What a rich, sonorous voice that man has; 'he is expressing himself so eloquently upon such a worthy subject"? Never. The emptier one's mind, the louder and faster they talk, and the more reliant they are upon clichés as a means of communication. Because they have no thoughts to speak of, they never shut up. They fear the silence that will confirm their emptiness, and fill it with mindless gabble and amplified insincerity. If they gave themselves time to think, they'd never say anything; it would be too taxing on their meager resources. An empty head is necessary in order to endlessly keep talking; the emptiness serves as a sort of fuel. As well as ignorance, it takes a certain amount of arrogance to loudly conduct a private conversation in public. Most thoughtful and sensitive members of society, or even polite outcasts, don't shout in public; they keep their voices down, not wanting to inflict their utterances upon strangers. Some people never shut up. I can't talk for that long, ever.”
― Service

“My consultants recommended several nihilists and existentialists but I rejected them all. A black turtleneck sweater does not a misanthrope make. Nihilists and existentialists tend to be bohemians, who invariably run in packs; despite their alienated stance, they have always struck me as a sociable lot who surround themselves with people because they are forever saying "Nothing matters," and they need someone to say it to.”
―
―
“Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
― Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon
― Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon
Arvo’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Arvo’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Favorite Genres
Art, Biography, Classics, Crime, Fiction, History, Horror, Memoir, Music, Mystery, Non-fiction, Paranormal, Philosophy, Psychology, Science, Self help, and Spirituality
Polls voted on by Arvo
Lists liked by Arvo