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Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts
French writers on war and peace
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Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle
From Conversations on the Plurality of Worlds
Translated by Elizabeth Gunning
This planet is blest with the delightful emotions of love, but at the same time decimated by the fury of war.
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You have doubtless observed the sort of shell in which the silk-worm imprisons itself, and which it forms with such astonishing art. It is composed of silk closely woven, but covered with a light down. Thus it is in regard to the earth, it is a solid body covered with an atmosphere extending to a certain height, which adheres to, and moves with it, as the down does with the firmer substance beneath it. Above our atmosphere is the celestial matter, incomparably more pure, subtile and active than air.
You represent the earth in a very contemptible light, said the Marchioness. Nevertheless on this silk-worm’s shell we find stupendous works, furious wars, and universal agitation. Yes, answered I, and while all this is going on, nature, who does not concern herself with such frivolous things, carries us all along, with an uninterrupted motion, and amuses herself with the little ball.
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