Wisdom of the Ages
'Never say that marriage has more of joy than pain.'
--Euripides, Greek playright in the fourth century B.C.
Working With Words
A weblog devoted to spurring a conversation among those who use words to varying degrees in their daily work. Hosted by John Ettorre, a Cleveland-based writer and editor. Please email me at: john.ettorre@gmail.com. "There comes a time when you realize that everything is a dream, and only those things preserved in writing have any possibility of being real." --James Salter
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
About Me
- Name: John Ettorre
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
I'm a Cleveland, Ohio-based writer, editor and writing coach, with more than 25 years of experience, including stints in Chicago and Washington, D.C. My work has appeared in more than 100 print and online publications, from the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor to local and regional publications. My work has been recognized by awards (including an Emmy) from four journalism groups.
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11 Comments:
Without pain we could never fully realize or appreciate joy.
You said it, my friend. And you said it about two minutes after I posted this. We're going to have to start calling you Rapid Fire Kenny.
Bad day at the Ettorre homestead? Nothing more serious than the 'usual' pain involved in a marriage, I hope. I find the phrase, "Yes dear, you're right. You're always right," works wonders. Although, if you don't say it with just the right amount of conviction, it can get you into even more trouble.
Well said, Steve. I don't know how long you've been married (I'm at 22 years), but most wives can smell lack of conviction miles away. So you're better off not saying it unless you can fake the conviction with enough skill. And you're right, the usual amount in most long marriages is more than enough. As a wise man once said, marriage is a great institution, as long as you don't mind being institutionalized. No, really honey, that was a joke...
How often does Julie read this blog?
Probably about as frequently as she reads all the rest of what I write: pretty rarely. You of all people know how that goes with old marrieds, Richard. But then you've certainly hit the jackpot on your second lap around the marriage track. Do please give my best to your lovely wife.
I equate pain and joy as temporary and fleeting, which on the bell curve of marriage would be on the extreme ends of the curve; so much "other stuff" goes on in between.
GREAT comment, Lou, and so very true. You're becoming a sage in your middle years. I think it's time for you to write that book.
Sorry but while I'm not married, I do know an old, stupide Euripedes joke:
Euripides tears his pants and takes them to a tailor to be fixed. The tailor sees him and says "Euripedes" and he answers "Eumenides?"
Miles, thanks for giving me a mid-day belly laugh. That joke belongs on the vaudeville circuit. I loved it. Even more, I love how you keep reading all this and occasionally adding wonderfully to the conversation. Thanks, pal. We're overdue for the next in our continuing series of scintilating breakfast conversations, no?
And by the way, Lou, that goes ditto for you. Hell, maybe we should turn it into a three-way mind meld, although my tradition with Lou is lunch and with Miles it's breakfast. Brunch, anyone?
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