Fight Misery by Knowing Yourself

There are countless opinions and judgments in reference to Kurt Cobain’s emotional/psychological difficulties, which ultimately resulted in his death.

Through all the articles, I see that people (especially teens) feel a certain connection with his state of mind, even when they rightfully dismiss suicide as an answer. There is a difficulty in putting this abstract connection into focus so people can see the connection and not just feel it. A popular refrain in such circumstances is, “How could this happen?”

The following quote is from “Pensees” (“Thoughts”) by Blaise Pascal, a 17th-Century mathematician and philosopher. This suits the Cobain situation specifically, as well as answers the inevitable question of how someone with so much can be so desperately miserable.

“The only thing that consoles us from our miseries is diversion. And yet it is the greatest of our miseries. For it is that above all which prevents us from thinking about ourselves and leads us imperceptibly to our destruction. But for that we should be bored, and boredom would drive us to seek some more solid means of escape, but diversion passes our time and brings us imperceptibly to our death.”

The most important point to be gained from this passage is that everyone, especially teens, must discover and come to terms with themselves as individuals. When people have a free moment to think about the world and their place in it, they become uncomfortable, and many get high to escape.

Please come to understand that diversion is the greatest of our miseries. “Get to know yourself and be proud” is the clear lesson to be gained from the tragedy that is personified in Kurt Cobain.

PATRICK O’ROURKE

Aliso Viejo