The Taming of Literature
ესეისტიკა
In the late 1970s, I was lecturing at the university. ...
This is not a typical monograph filled with dates and biographical facts; it demonstrates that the author felt and deeply understood what it means to walk in Ilia’s path.
We have been left three sacred inheritances from our forefathers: our homeland, our language, and our faith. If we fail to protect even these, what will we say to the generations that follow?
— Ilia Chavchavadze
If we look back, it should only be to better see the road ahead. History is a great teacher because it shows us the missteps of our ancestors, and with that, provides us with the lessons to act wisely.
— Ilia Chavchavadze
“What our ancestors did, we must do the same”—that is a philosophy of Chinese culture. If we follow that, we too will become like the Chinese: stagnant in one place, unable to move forward. If we truly want progress and victory, we must not shy away from naming our flaws. We must speak the truth and call out whatever is false and unworthy. How can we improve ourselves if we do not know where our shortcomings lie?
— Ilia Chavchavadze
