A little folly is desirable in him that will not be guilty of stupidity.

— Michel de Montaigne

CREATIVITY

WHAT THIS MEANS

Being sensible at all times is its own kind of error. Someone who never does anything foolish tends to be so guarded that they miss the things worth having, and the caution eventually looks less like wisdom and more like a refusal to live. A margin of silliness keeps the rest of the judgment flexible.

Do one slightly ridiculous thing this week that has no defence attached to it: the dance class, the absurd trip, the joke that might not land. Keep it cheap and reversible. The point is to remind yourself that not every hour has to justify itself.

A QUESTION TO SIT WITH

Where would a little silliness save you from real foolishness?

MORE IN PARADOX, METAPHOR & FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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