Invisible hand

"But the annual revenue of every society is always precisely equal to the exchangeable value of the whole annual produce of its industry, or rather is precisely the same thing with that exchangeable value. As every individual, therefore, endeavors as much he can both to employ his capital in the support of domestic industry, and so to direct that industry that its produce may be of the greatest value; every individual necessarily labors to render the annual revenue of the society as great as he can. He generally, indeed, neither intends to promote the public interest, nor knows how much he is promoting it. By preferring the support of domestic to that of foreign industry, he intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was not part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good. It is an affectation, indeed, not very common among merchants, and very few words need be employed in dissuading them from it."

Adam Smith,The Wealth of Nations

Sarkozy speechwriter

Henri Guaino is President Nicolas Sarkozy's speechwriter  

"The African peasant only knows the eternal renewal of time, rhythmed by the endless repetition of the same gestures and the same words. ...In this imaginary world where everything starts over and over again, there is no place for human adventure or for the idea of progress."

Henri Guiano, Dakar, Juillet 2006

 

 What do you think about such an assertion ?

La main

"Penser est peut-être du même ordre que travailler à un coffre. C’est en tout cas un travail de la main. La main est une chose à part. La main, comme on se la représente habituellement, fait partie de notre organisme corporel. Mais l’être de la main ne se laisse jamais déterminer comme un organe réel de préhension, ni éclairer à partir de là. Le singe par exemple, possède des organes de préhension, mais il ne possède pas la main.                                                                  

La main est séparée de tous les organes de préhension - les pattes, les ongles, les griffes - infiniment, c’est-à-dire par l’abîme de son être. Seul un être qui parle, c’est-à-dire pense, peut avoir une main et accomplir dans un maniement le travail de la main." 

Martin Heidegger, Qu'appelle t on penser.

Clément's

Last week I was eating in the restaurant "Chez Clément". I noticed the decorative saucepans on the wall

 I have never paid attention about a saucepan except if she is broken.

Clément's saucepans are different from other saucepan.

Because they are useless. For that raison, I noticed it.