Quotes

One of the defacto standards in books on computer programming languages is the inclusion of a large number of quotes from a variety of seemingly unrelated writings. It almost goes without saying that within the first 10 pages in any book concerning any programing languages, paradigms, or data structures, there will be something from a Lewis Carroll novel; most likely from "Alice Through the Looking Glass". It makes sense, since all computer geeks pride themselves on their intelligence and would like to appear well-read, especially in works outside of a techincal nature. Anyway Bjarne Stroustrup is credited with inventing the C++ language and as such, he chose to write a book on it. On the backside of his dedication page he has choosen to include a rather interesting quote by a writer named Karen Blixen and I enjoyed it enough to make it the subject of me first blog here.

"... and you, Marcus, have given me many things; now I shall give you this good advice. Be many people. Give up the game of being always Marcus Cocoza. You have worried too much about Marcus Cocoza, so that you have been really his slave and prisoner. You have not done anything without first considering how it would affect Marcus Cocoza's happiness and prestige. You were always much afraid that Marcus might do a stupid thing, or be bored. What would it really have mattered? All over the world people are doing stupid things... I should like you to be easy, your little heart to be light again. You must from now, be more than one, many people, as many as you can think of..."

~~Karen Blixen (writing under the pseudonym "Isak Dinesin"), from "The Dreamers", from Seven Gothic Tales.