Good day, readers. Today is July 2nd, the 184th day of the year 2024, with 182 days remaining.
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston Churchill
Today in Literary History:
On this day in 1961, Ernest Hemingway, one of the greatest American novelists, passed away. Known for his terse prose and profound themes, Hemingway’s works, such as The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms, continue to influence writers and captivate readers worldwide.
Notable Birthdays:
Hermann Hesse, born on July 2, 1877, was a German-Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. He is best known for his novels Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, which explore themes of self-discovery and spirituality, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946.
Today’s Readings:
From The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: “But man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
Literary Fact of the Day:
On July 2nd, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This landmark legislation has inspired countless works of literature, highlighting the struggle for equality and justice in America.
Poem of the Day:
“If—” by Rudyard Kipling:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Rudyard Kipling’s “If—” is a powerful poem that offers advice on how to navigate life’s challenges with dignity, resilience, and integrity. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire readers to strive for personal excellence.
Advice for Writers:
Inspired by Winston Churchill’s quote, think about how perseverance and courage can be central themes in your writing. Explore characters who face challenges and setbacks but find the strength to continue, revealing their depth and resilience.
Wishing you a day of insightful reading and courageous writing, dear readers. Until tomorrow, may your literary endeavors be as steadfast and inspiring as the words you create.