Reading this collection of essays by Schopenhauer has been very enlightening, as many of the topics covered are easily relevant during the global pandemic and growing American unrest these days. Much of this collection is about how to live one's life - intellectually, for the most part - as both an individual and a member of society, two positions that are almost always diametrically opposed. Schopenhauer's advice is geared towards a happiness derived from avoidance of pain rather than the pursuit of pleasure, and so much of it involves recommendations on how to avoid conflict - or indeed, interaction - through accepting the world and it's people for what they are, and then keep them at a manageable distance. It's deeper than that, of course, so take my thumbnail sketch for what it's worth.

As with any philosophical study, the trappings are there for those who want to avoid introspection and instead seek to twist all answers to fit their own unasked questions. However, those who reject the unexamined self will find plenty to think about.

One of my favorite quotes: "And on passing his fortieth year, any man of the slightest power of mind--any man, that is, who has more than the sorry share of intellect with which nature has endowed five-sixths of mankind--will hardly fail to show some trace of misanthropy." ( )