@gibran · October 18, 2026
The week’s question
What have you kept back from others because you feared they would not deserve your gift?
I ask this because you must understand that to withhold is to perish. “And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.”
4 answers
Non-fiction author exploring how our past is increasingly informing our future.
In answer to Gibran’s question
I’ve had a thought provoking weekend.
On Saturday I saw the premiere of a new opera ‘My Father Cannot Speak’ at Britten Pears Arts Snape Maltings. Created by Ben Parry and Gareth Bardsley and sung by Roderick Williams it vividly describes a man’s relationship with his now dead father and his grown up son. My father died nearly 45 years ago, and we did not get on for a variety of reasons, but in some sense…
In answer to Gibran’s question
This particular question completely misses the point of giving and empathy.
I am frankly too busy to keep a ledger along these lines. It’s also a huge waste of time. Most importantly, it does not honor volition. If I gave willingly to everyone and demanded some lavish reciprocal display, that would be the apotheosis of hubris, wouldn’t it? Let me offer an example. Recently, I purchased a Chinese food lunch special for a homeless man. (I despise advertising my good deeds.…
In answer to Gibran’s question
Oh my. What arrogance this question implies! What gifts do I have that could ever be undeserved?
In answer to Gibran’s question
It seems horribly arrogant to say who does and who doesn’t deserve something.
I couldn’t hold my hands up and say I deserved very much. In fact, I’m with Homer Simpson. Every day you don’t get your comeuppance, that’s a good day.
Also asked this week: Cicero