There are no longer problems of the spirit

This morning I was listening to Professor Grant L. Voth on his "History of World Literature" course (from The Great Courses), specifically the chapter on Faulkner, and I got this urge to read again "A rose for Emily" (happens every time with this excellent course, professor Voth has a particular way to hook me up).

Anyways, invaded by this Faulkner feeling/need, I came across his speech at the Nobel Banquet at the City Hall in Stockholm, December 10, 1950.

I found it so moving I decided to share some pieces I particularly love here with you. (You can read the full speech here)

Enjoy!

There are no longer problems of the spirit. There is only the question: When will I be blown up? Because of this, the young man or woman writing today has forgotten the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself which alone can make good writing because only that is worth writing about, worth the agony and the sweat.

He must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid; ...

I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.