December 24, 1940

“If I had to preach a sermon on the family I would take for my text this phrase of Paul Valery's: "In every family there is concealed a specific interior boredom which causes its members to escape and live their own lives. There is also in every family an ancient and powerful force which manifests itself when the group is gathered in the dining-room for its evening meal, when its members feel free to be completely themselves.” —  André Maurois

Transcription

December 24, 1940
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Dear Ed:

     Came across this quotation while reading “The Art of Living” by André Maurois: “In every family there is concealed a specific interior boredom which causes its members to escape and live their interior lives. There is also in every family an ancient and powerful force which manifests itself when the group is gathered in the dining room for its evening meal. When the members feel free to be completely themselves.” This particular quotation was a phrase of, you’d never guess, Valery’s. Yes, that’s Valery. But not the Valery we have in mind. The fact remains, however that it is perfectly applicable to our family, and most families. As Maurois - shall we call him Andre? -  says: “It evokes both the nobility and the wretchedness of family life”.

     Perhaps this chunk of Foollosopphie might interest the little ones back to [illegible]. If you agree, mail it to um.

     The Chapter Closes, “after difficult days spent in an indifferent or cruel world, students, philosophers, cabinet ministers, soldiers and artists are happy to become again children, parents, grandparents, or simply men when they sit down to their evening meal in the family circle.”  True.

     We have a Xmas tree aboard ship. Also a nickelodeon with Christmas records. Plus “Shadrach Meshnach etc, J, Dorsey “My Prayer” & heard over radio announcer  ½ talking in Spanish then announcing Senor “Fats” Waller.