Laying a Marker

THERE is an ancient Chinese blessing — ‘May you live in interesting times’.

Laying a Marker
Sun, 12 May, 2013 - 01:00
Pól O Conghaile

Except that there isn’t. In truth, the phrase is neither ancient, Chinese, nor a blessing.

It was made famous by Robert F Kennedy in a speech in 1966, has no direct Chinese translation, and is meant ironically. To live in ‘interesting’ times is, of course, a curse.

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