The past could liberate or imprison - it creates a nation's character, provides the nourishment or the poison a people imbibe in their very marrow. F. Sionil Jose charactercreateimbibe Change image and share on social
I can't understand Urdu, Bahasa or Russian, but when the Pakistani Faiz, the Indonesian Rendra and the Russian Rosdentvensky declaim, I can feel the living throb of rhythm and music, the warmth and passion of their poetry, as do the hundreds, not a mere roomful, of poetry lovers in the audience. F. Sionil Jose audiencebahasadeclaim share on social
For them who delay aging, who infuse decrepit bodies with youth and beauty - they must rejoice in the fullness of their deeds. F. Sionil Jose agingbeautybody Change image and share on social
The Japanese covet important symbols - their heroic past as enshrined in Yasukuni, the Imperial family which has never been sullied by scandal. F. Sionil Jose covetenshrinefamily Change image and share on social
Indeed, the existence of class, of social hierarchy, is as old as man himself. It prevails in the jungle where strength determines hierarchy; among men, it has also been savagely the same, whereby rulers vested with power through personal combat, or through lineal heritage as in the case of royalty, ravage their subjects. F. Sionil Jose caseclasscombat share on social
Industrialization starts with the formation of capital - it does not matter how. It can be created by saving, by the state enforcing its will on the people, by the very rich themselves. F. Sionil Jose capitalcreateenforce Change image and share on social
For decades, as literary editor, I have followed the growth of our creative writing in English. In my Solidaridad Bookshop, half of my stock consists of Filipino books written in English and in the native languages. F. Sionil Jose bookbookshopconsist share on social
I find it always pleasurable talking with young people, particularly those aspiring to be writers, out of nostalgia, and because I've always felt that we oldies can learn so much from them and draw from them inspiration in our flagging and rickety years. F. Sionil Jose aspiredrawfelt share on social
A weak people and its equally debilitated leaders are bludgeoned by history. It maims them into the cripples that they are meant to be. F. Sionil Jose bludgeoncrippledebilitate Change image and share on social
Class - or the economic status of individuals - is evident in all societies, some very well stratified by a rigid caste system determined by birth. F. Sionil Jose birthcasteclass Change image and share on social