Fernando Pessoa is one of the most enigmatic writers, known for his use of heteronyms—various personas through which he channeled his creative expressions. His “Book of Disquiet” is formally a prose work, but its poetic nature is undeniable. The deep philosophical insights it contains are invaluable. Here, I share nine lessons I learned and cherished from this book, often referred to as “the saddest book of Portugal.” The melancholic essence of Portuguese culture is deeply woven into Pessoa’s work, which delves into life’s intricacies, offering readers profound food for thought.

1.  Embrace Your Inner Symphony

“My soul is a hidden orchestra; I don’t know what instruments tinkle and creak, strings and harps, timpani and drums, inside me. I only know myself as a symphony.”

Pessoa teaches us to accept the complexity within us. We are made up of countless dreams, traumas, desires, and fears, but it is this amalgamation that creates our unique symphony. Understanding ourselves as a whole, rather than dissecting each element, brings harmony to our inner lives.

2. Recognize the Inner Cold

“It rains, it rains, it rains, it rains constantly, groaningly, my body trembles with cold… not the cold that there is in space, but the cold that there is in me being space.”

Pessoa’s depiction of inner coldness reflects the existential void many feel. Acknowledging this internal space helps us understand our own emotional landscapes and the universal coldness that can pervade human existence.

3. Avoid Conformity

“All pleasure is an addiction, because seeking pleasure is what everyone does in life, and the only dark addiction is doing what everyone else does.”

Pessoa warns against the dangers of conformism. Like René Girard’s concept of mimetic desire, he emphasizes the importance of finding our own path and resisting the urge to follow the crowd blindly.

4. Appreciate the Joy in Useless Things

“The buyers of useless things are always wiser than they think – they buy little dreams. They are children when it comes to buying.”

In a world obsessed with minimalism, Pessoa champions the joy found in seemingly useless things. These objects connect us with our dreams and inner child, bringing small, meaningful pleasures into our lives.

5. Nurture the Child Within

“My only regret is that I am not a child, so that I could believe in my dreams.”

Pessoa suggests that retaining our childlike ability to dream and believe in our dreams is vital. Like Peter Pan or the Little Prince, embracing our inner child allows us to stay connected to our true selves.

6. Question Conventional Values

“The child doesn’t value gold more than glass. And really, is gold worth more?”

Through a child’s eyes, Pessoa questions societal values. The simplicity and purity of a child’s perspective reveal the absurdity and vanity of adult fears, hates, and loves.

7. Cultivate Mystery in Your Life

“So organize our life that it becomes a mystery to others, that those who know us best only don’t know us any better than the others.”

Pessoa advises maintaining a sense of mystery and privacy. By keeping parts of ourselves hidden, we preserve inner peace and protect our personal space from external judgment and intrusion.

8. Celebrate Life’s Indescribable Beauty

“Life jeopardizes the expression of life. If I lived a great love I could never describe it.”

Though he may seem nihilistic at first glance, Pessoa is ultimately an optimist. He believes that the beauty of life is so profound it cannot be fully articulated. This reverence for life’s indescribable moments highlights his deep appreciation for existence.

Value Art for Its Uselessness

“Why is art beautiful? Because it’s useless. Why is life ugly? Because it’s all aims and purposes and intentions.”

Pessoa contrasts the beauty of art with the perceived ugliness of life’s constant goals and purposes. This reflection on modern obsessions with achievement and numbers underscores the value of creating and appreciating art.

In “The Book of Disquiet”, Fernando Pessoa offers timeless wisdom that resonates deeply. The message is clear: embrace simplicity, question societal norms, find beauty in the mundane and you will navigate the complexities of life with a rich poetic perspective.

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