The etymology of 'silly'...
Submitted by Dirk Gently on September 08 2000 00:19:54
In reply to certain submitted by F.O.D. on September 07 2000 22:06:35
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...is apparently derived from an old German word, selig, which meant "blessed." In a way, that still makes sense today. Attempting to live out the Sermon on the Mount, for instance, is an intensely counter-cultural activity. "Turn the other cheek" will convince others that you're nice, but a bit daft. Silly are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness! Think of Dostoevsky's Prince Mishkin. Then there are the holy fools, especially of Russia. My electronic God-mother wrote an encouraging email to me the other day, telling me that part of the training to be a fool is getting kicked down a flight of stairs at least once a week. I replied that I've been thanking them very loudly and sincerely for so doing. (We were both kidding, I think.) Dirk |
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