Thoughts
in the margins.

There is no hope for humanity except in the love that defeats hatred and in charity that overcomes greed, resentment and injustice. Those in power should remember that happiness is born not from wealth or power, but from the joy of giving. — Fabrizio De André

Carpe diem: seize the day. Memento mori: remember that you must die. Faber est suae quisque fortunae: everyone is the maker of their own fortune. Omnia vincit amor: love conquers all. Per aspera ad astra: through hardship to the stars.

After the long journey, the world stopped in one immense embrace. In that endless kiss there was no longer road, waiting or fear, only the breath of those who had finally recognised one another. Some loves come from far away only to teach us that “home” is wherever someone holds you strongly enough to put every fragment back together.

Some relationships must remain in the past because they hurt us. Nostalgia is still a gift: it means that we truly and deeply lived. Something new, fresh and honest will come. It is beautiful to remember, but do not forget to return to life—here and now. Whoever you are, take care of yourself.

A profound distinction must be drawn among the law, moral rules and kindness: three dimensions of human coexistence which, although they meet, do not always proceed in harmony. The law establishes what is permitted; morality asks what is right; kindness shapes the way in which we address others.

What is lawful is not, for that reason alone, considerate. And what we regard as morally due may be requested with a harshness that compromises its acceptance. Kindness then becomes the connecting principle: it makes possible the meeting that neither law nor conscience, on their own, can always achieve.

Consider a simple example. Suppose that, in a given circumstance, the applicable rules allow music to be played until midnight. In the same building, however, an elderly lady wishes to rest from nine o’clock in the evening. The freedom to continue does not settle the matter: alongside the limit set by the rule arises the consideration suggested by conscience.

If the lady politely asks for the volume to be lowered, and the listener agrees, kindness meets moral sensitivity. One spontaneously relinquishes part of one’s freedom in order to preserve another person’s peace. The law remains in the background; the relationship is governed by mutual consideration.

Kindness + moral rules ≠ law

This first equation expresses a choice born of consideration and going beyond what the law requires: the music is turned down because the other person’s need is recognised, without waiting for a rule to impose it.

If, on the other hand, that same request takes the form of arrogance or an ultimatum, it may provoke the opposite reaction: someone who would have accepted a polite request becomes rigid in defence of their right and invokes the boundary of the law. They may even respond courteously while nevertheless firmly maintaining their freedom to continue.

Kindness + law ≠ moral rules

This second equation describes conduct that is formally polite and legally permitted, but in which spontaneous adherence to another person’s need is absent. Courtesy in the response and compliance with the rule do not, by themselves, ensure moral consideration.

The absence of kindness does not erase the moral duty, but it can break the bond through which that duty is recognised and accepted. The other person’s need remains unchanged; what changes is our willingness to listen to it.

Here the quiet strength of kindness reveals itself: it can obtain from freedom what imposition often fails to obtain from obedience. Where the law sets boundaries and morality provides direction, kindness draws people closer.

The maturity of coexistence is therefore revealed in the ability to ask not only “what am I permitted to do?”, but also “what consideration do I owe to those who live beside me?”. And in the awareness that even a rightful request finds its most persuasive expression in courtesy.

I wish you a life full of happiness, euphoria, emotions and fulfilment—the same gifts you have always reserved for me. I will never be able to thank you enough for the wonderful life you gave me. As long as I have time, I will water your roots and protect your colours, because you are and always will be my wonderful mother.

…but you know well that, in life, “every mind is its own tribunal” and that, beyond what may be considered right or wrong, in the end only what time has left behind remains…