'until the cup passes into other hands,"

19th century Russian literature was very rich in deep, philosophical writings that were sometimes moody, sometimes gloomy, often both. Today’s passage, from a chapter in “Ends and Beginnings” by Alexander Herzen, reflects that rich tradition. I particularly like the portion of the passage that reads “until the cup passes into other hands,” because it speaks to a responsibility I believe one has to pass a cup of experiences, insights, and observations to future generations:

“The 13th of June 1839”

“How rich is the human heart in the capacity for happiness, for joy, if only people know how to give themselves up to it without being distracted by trifles. The present is usually disturbed by external worries, empty cares, irritable obstinacy, all the rubbish which is brought upon us in the midday of life by the vanity of vanities, and the stupid ordering of our everyday life. We waste our best minutes; we let them slip through our fingers as though we had heaven knows how many of them. We are generally thinking of tomorrow, of next year, when we ought to be clutching with both hands the brimming cup which life itself, unbidden, with her customary lavishness, holds out to us, and to drink and drink of it until the cup passes into other hands. Nature does not care to spend a long time offering us her treat.”

                                                         Literary Apparel for the Enlightened