THERE ARE MORE TRICKS IN THE TOWN THAN ARE DREAMT OF
Don Quixote in the politics of these times.
Below is the verse above in an easier to read format.
THERE ARE MORE TRICKS IN THE TOWN THAN ARE DREAMT OF
Trump is a game player, his history is indisputable in this; tricks he loves,
However, all who know even a smidgen about him knows he always cheats,
Each lesson he was taught along the way was how always to cheat; always,
Regardless of this guys odd, disordered mind, seems we must all suffer,
Each new rule he might bend or exploit or break, we’re supposed to nod.
And the sane in America have been unbelievably patient with this dude,
Remembering to always distrust everything associated with this man,
Even after years of experiencing his crooked hijinxs - we eyeball him.
Maybe he wouldn’t go so far as to pull that, we’ve mistakenly thought,
Oh, with Donald Trump, nothing is off the table, and people admire this,
Remembering morality - from right and wrong, down the memory hole,
Each one with boisterous or tacit approval only degrades our society.
Tricks are part of the anti-abortion crowd’s forte too, of course we know,
Republican “Jesus” must be a very sly and cunning fellow it might seem,
In their holiness of deceit they’re fulfilled straight into their eternal life,
Can I have an Amen; America has filled with the most ridiculous of folks,
Keeping the crazy people away from power is now very difficult to do,
Somehow the sane have been displaced; and it only seems to get worse.
I guess a little gamesmanship is only human; but it’s unnaturally high,
Now I have a hard time gagging if it’s actually getting worse for us.
Trump was impeached twice for his shenanigans, the message didn’t take,
How we have the Fox ‘News’ lounge lizards, with zero critical thinking,
Each of us is only waiting for the next dirty trick to fully express itself.
There seems to be only the degradation of our politics day in and day out,
Of Roger Stone and Paul Manfort are now both slithering onstage, on cue,
Why - if the libs can be taken advantage of in any manner it’s A-Okay,
Now one might think that Trump is the straw which will break GOP backs.
Trump, how many hours have I spent writing about this buffoon,
How about we just retire his jersey, for like a long time, like forever,
And we all know that this guy still has pulled off more than we know,
Nothing could ever have forced him to ever possibly be a straight shooter.
And Cervantes’ Don Quixote, has its proper place in this age it seems,
Really he might even had written about “windmill cancer” if he were here,
Each cringe-worthy, extreme preposterousness of these times, will we recover?
Democracy can apparently die in such extreme absurdity; so we know,
Republicans are only impediments to American national security now,
Each of us should realize that there is only one functional political party,
As the GOP have only been focused on manipulative tricks for years now,
Making sure they are competitive with policies that only suck like *hit,
Trump is the king of the tricksters, he’s definitely in their hall of fame.
On this day I’ll say that I don’t think we’ll survive in this particular way,
For Trump’s only proof of Darwin’s theory, if he’s the best we can come up with - so farewell, goodbye…
“There are more tricks in the town than are dreamt of.”
— Miguel Cervantes - Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (29 September 1547 (assumed) – 22 April 1616 NS) was an Early Modern Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish languageand one of the world's pre-eminent novelists. He is best known for his novel Don Quixote, a work often cited as both the first modern novel and "the first great novel of world literature". A 2002 poll of 100 well-known authors voted it the "most meaningful book of all time", from among the "best and most central works in world literature".
In Don Quixote, he challenged a form of literature that had been a favourite for more than a century, explicitly stating his purpose was to undermine 'vain and empty' chivalric romances. His portrayal of real life, and use of everyday speech in a literary context was considered innovative, and proved instantly popular. First published in January 1605, Don Quixote and Sancho Panza featured in masquerades held to celebrate the birth of Philip IV on 8 April.
“For neither good nor evil can last for ever; and so it follows that as evil has lasted a long time, good must now be close at hand.”
— Miguel Cervantes - Don Quixote
“Wit and humor do not reside in slow minds.”
— Miguel Cervantes - Don Quixote
“It is not the responsibility of knights errant to discover whether the afflicted, the enchained and the oppressed whom they encounter on the road are reduced to these circumstances and suffer this distress for their vices, or for their virtues: the knight's sole responsibility is to succour them as people in need, having eyes only for their sufferings, not for their misdeeds.”
— Miguel Cervantes - Don Quixote
I questioned what a word search of “game” would bring up in the other world of Truth Social. This is what I found:
The following are many other Don Quixote quotes, I’ve taken time to comment on each one in how they may relate to Trump and MAGA Republicans. Perhaps you might have a different take?
BOSTON: ROBERTS BROTHERS. 1882.
Copyright, 1882, By Roberts Brothers.
“He is safe who has good cards to play.”
This caught my eye primarily because I was searching for quotes on “games” in relation to the games that Trump, as an authoritarian, is always playing. One only needs to focus upon Vladimir Putin as another who constantly plays games. As far as having “good cards” to play, in Trump’s case at this time, it seems doubtful of the value of his hand. For someone like Trump and Putin, who only know how to play games, they are forced at times to do what they can with what they hold.
“It is a pleasant thing to govern, even though it be but a flock of sheep.”
Trump is undoubtedly the shepherd to millions who are entirely devoted to him. Trump is a leader of a cult of personality. Even though I have reservations against calling them “sheep,” it might be the best description. Trump’s narcissism demands sustenance, so it must be “pleasant” for him to do his rallies. He attracts people who actually travel long distances to be part of the experience, going to multiple rallies.
"Let not private affection blind thee in another man's cause; for the errors thou shalt thereby commit are often without remedy, and at the expense both of thy reputation and fortune.”
This quote seems to have applicability to the many who joined up with Trump over the years, think of Michael Cohen, Bill Barr, etc., who are still suffering reputational damage from their times aligned with Donald Trump. A very large Trump net has been cast for many years, and many a person has suffered in “Trump’s cause,” which is simply entirely in all things focused at his narcissistic self.
“Make yourselves honey, and the flies will devour you.”
Although feeling sorry for many who have at one time associated with Trump is hard to summon, certain people, perhaps like Cassidy Hutchinson, might fit in this description. The bus has driven over hundreds, of all types.
“Truth will always rise uppermost, as oil rises above water.”
In the age of lying Trump, lying right wing media, lying Republicans, the truth is definitely a victim. This quote is more aspirational than anything.
“It is as impracticable to tie up the tongue of malice as to erect barricades in the open fields.”
Has there ever been a better way to describe Trump’s rhetoric than “the tongue of malice?” And this quote accurately describes the frustration of well meaning politicians and media who face the barrage of disinformation from Trump. He is in an open field (rallies), normally with a captive audience of cult admirers, and little can be done by the media reporting, without great forethought and execution. Mostly no one covers him anymore except for right wing propagandistic media.
“Oh, maddening sting of jealousy, how deadly thy effects!”
Barack Obama has taken up residence in Trump’s brain, it being in a deteriorating state now. The jealousy is obvious, and the effects do seem deadly.
“Justice must needs be a good thing, for it is necessary even among thieves.”
Justice in these times of Trump are of utmost importance. The thing about Trump is that he mostly stiffs everyone he comes in contact with. One must question the “justice” in play between him and his acolytes. I suppose it might be at play to a certain deviant way.
“That pastime should not be indulged which tends to the detriment of a fellow-creature.”
Trump running for president once again is a “pastime” which is definitely detrimental to a whole host of people, including his supporters. He is trying to stay out of prison, and is feeding his narcissism, so it's rather obvious the benefits to him.
“The faults of the ass should not be laid on the pack-saddle.”
This quote implies in all the blame which Trump and many of his close acolytes throw at everyone but themselves. Trump’s narcissistic disorder may make it impossible to shift blame to himself, him being unable to even comprehend such a thing. It’s also politically expedient to blame others.
“The heart will not grieve for what the eye doth not perceive.”
For the millions of Trump supporters, will they grieve at Trump’s inevitable political demise? Their perceptions are off kilter, and one wonders what justifications will be brought forth when he finally leaves the stage.
“Devils, play or not play, win or not win, can never be content.”
In Trump’s lifetime of grifting, one must assume that contentment wasn’t at play. He would have been much better off to invest his inheritance wisely, than do as he did. I think this quote accurately describes Trump, be - he a “Devil” is not my call.
“The ass will carry the load, but not a double load.”
Trump small dollar supporters are his “ass.” They can only do so much for him.
“The sin will cease when the temptation is removed.”
I’m not entirely sure what the connection between Putin and Trump is, but one must assume it is a lot of money. Trump also wants to be a dictator, so there’s that. But Donald likes “green” as one of his sons said once. The temptation is always there driving Trump to extremes.
“The jest that gives pain is no jest.”
Trump’s comments toward many people, especially to “his blacks” are a painful jest. Ask Tim Scott about Trump’s jests.
“Truth is the mother of history, the rival of time, the depository of great actions, witness of the past, example and adviser of the present, and oracle of future ages.”
I like this quote, summarizing the virtue of truth, and really the exact opposite of all which Trump represents.
“Much time is necessary to know people thoroughly.”
It seems that Trump might be the most studied man in American history, concurrent to his time in potential leadership. There are very few characteristics of Trump for which we are not on to by now. His cult followers are incapable of reasoning judgment of him. They don’t count in this discussion.
“Benefits conferred on base-minded [Of a low spirit or mind; mean] people are like drops of water thrown into the sea.”
Trump inherited many millions of dollars, and grew up a beneficiary of wealth. It seems like all these were but drops of water in an ocean of avarice. “Base-minded” describes this particular man perfectly.
“The wicked are always ungrateful.”
Trump has thrown hundreds of people under the bus who he has used for his own selfishness. He still only can see “green,” remember?
“One evil produces another, and misfortunes never come singly.”
Let’s talk about 80 some current criminal indictments in four jurisdictions, a half billion dollars he must come up with by tomorrow, support which is only reducing with each coming day. I rest my case on this one.
“A man dishonored is worse than dead.”
Now this quote has me stymied a little in regards to Trump. I’m not exactly sure that the idea of honor may register to this malignant narcissist. But perhaps we will see in time if actual dishonor plays any part in this guy’s story.
“He who builds on impossibilities should be denied the privilege of any other foundation.”
I’m going out on a limb with this and announcing that the Project 2025 proposals are an impossibility in America. Not only are they un-American, but the extremism of them just won’t fly. I’m hoping I’m right. As far as other “privileges,” yes once the Project 2025 was put up as a website, all other considerations should be denied.
“Heaven always favors the honest purpose.”
“Honest purpose” and “Trump” have never gone together. As far as reaching “heaven” or not, that’s above my pay grade. Regardless, I like the sentiment of this quote.
“How seldom promises made in slavery are remembered after a release from bondage.”
The average Trump supporter is merely a “slave” to Trump’s lies, false promises, personal grievances, etc. If these folks are actually released from their bondage in the future is a question? But Trump’s so-called promises have always been plentiful and never fulfilled. He won’t change in this stage of the game.
“Though we love the treason we abhor the traitor.”
I thought about this a little. Trump’s spitting on authority has its appeal, like in the fourth grade when the trouble maker made for a good laugh at the teachers expense. So I suppose a part of most of us like thumbing our noses at all authority to some degree, although we would not partake in it. Trump supporters love the traitor himself as well as the treason. So I’m not convinced of the applicability of this quote. I’ll continue to think about it.
“Fortune turns faster than a mill-wheel, and those who were yesterday at top, may find themselves at bottom to-day.”
For many millions of us, we are hoping for a change in fortune in the coming months. Although fortune has been tied to the justice system which is slower than the mill-wheel obviously. Most likely it will happen quickly when it happens in the case of the complete downfall of Trump. His supporters will be among us afterward however.
“Every one is the son of his own works.”
Trump’s “sons” have been New Jersey casinos, a university, vodka, steaks, a “stolen election,” many, many grievances, a half a billion dollar fraud fine, an eighty billion dollar rape settlement. We all know about this guy’s past.
“Virtue is always more persecuted by the wicked than beloved by the righteous.”
In Trump’s attacks upon judges, prosecutors and jury, perhaps we are getting a taste of this particular quote. As far as their individual virtue, one really can’t say. But compared to Trump - all are more virtuous obviously.
“True valor lies in the middle, between the extremes of cowardice and rashness.”
Trump, he appears to be a rash one with his mouth, but his actions are that of a bully. Seldom would one find a bully who wasn’t a coward. And like him his supporters seem perhaps outwardly rash when in groups, perhaps not so much if found alone.
“He must be blind, indeed, who cannot see through a sieve.”
In my mind I see many holes in Trump, full of holes and semitransparent like a sieve if a close look is taken toward him. That’s how I will interpret this Quixote quote.
“Comparisons, whether as to sense, courage, beauty, or rank, are always offensive.”
A simple question, can we lump all of the MAGA into one bucket. If we were able to keep our patience with them for some time, would we see them not primarily as Trump supporters and all that this entails? I’m uncertain and not necessarily enthusiastic to try the experiment.
“Scruples of conscience afford no peace.”
This quote perhaps has little applicability to Trump and the MAGA world. It would be insulting to tell them this but most likely they sleep well enough at night already.
“The gratification which wealth can bestow is not in mere possession, nor in lavishing it with prodigality [excessive or extravagant spending], but in the wise application of it.”
It’s my understanding that Donald Trump and wise application of wealth don’t necessarily go together too well. I can see mere possession of wealth as being important, and he’s burned up a lot of money over the years on business flops.
“Where you meet with no books you need expect no bacon.”
The importance of book-smarts might be the theme of this quote. Let’s just say that Trump has had his bacon without picking up many books. Perhaps this quote is not necessarily true.
“Sorrow was made for man, not for beasts; yet if men encourage melancholy too much, they become no better than beasts.”
I get the impression that Donald Trump is someone so self-absorbed that he dips into melancholy often due to his narcissism. I know I’d not be a happy camper if I demanded other people’s praise to give me fuel.
“Madness will have more followers than discretion.”
This explains the Trump cult to me. If that is a too simplified view then I apologize. Trump is a madman, always really has been that way. Now dementia is making things more difficult. But he’s always been mad.
“Nobody knows the heart of his neighbor; some go out for wool and come home shorn.”
I really don’t know all my neighbors that well. But imagining Trump supporters as neighbors, I would definitely hold on closely to my fleece.
I wished to include a little about an essay and criticism from the early twentieth century on Don Quixote by the American William Dudley Foulke, published in 1912. I am currently reading another set of essays on the book, but it extends beyond what I wish to include. The world of fantasy in this novel only corresponds in my thinking to Trump and the MAGA movement. Perhaps there might be a better literary work applicable, but I’ve settled upon Don Quixote.
Title: Masterpieces of the masters of fiction
Author: William Dudley Foulke
Release date: February 1, 2024 [eBook #72848]
Language: English
Original publication: New York: The Cosmopolitan press, 1912
***
William Dudley Foulke (November 20, 1848 – May 30, 1935) was an American literary critic, journalist, poet, and reformer.
Foulke was interested in Russia and Russian history since the 1880s. He was scared by the encroachments of the Russian Empire in Central Asia and the Far East. He supposed that Russian ambitious foreign politics would be a great menace to "free Institutions". In 1887 he published a pamphlet "Slav or Saxon", showing the aggressive intentions of the Tsarist regime. At that time he also protested against the ratification of the Russian-American Extradition treaty, but all efforts were in vain. In 1893 the treaty was ratified.
In 1903 Foulke became the president of the Society of Friends of Russian Freedom. The society was re-established in Boston by Alice Stone Blackwell, as Foulke recalled, "This association had no very definite organization, but acted as occasion offered". Foulke and other notable Americans (Blackwell, Wald, Howe, Addams), who endorsed Russian revolutionists and liberals in their fight against the autocracy, encouraged Russian emigre Breshko-Breskovskaya in 1904-1905 when she arrived in the USA for tapping moral support and some money.
***
1605-1615 Cervantes “Don Quixote”
Don Quixote goes forth upon his battered Rocinante, to redress all wrongs, actual or imaginary, to fight windmills, to engage in desperate battles with flocks of sheep; to sail upon enchanted barks; to fly through the air on a wooden horse; and perform a thousand extravagances, travesties of the impossible prodigies recorded in books of chivalry and enchantment.
The description of Don Quixote’s madness is masterly. His inability to separate actual occurrences from the figments of his imagination appears with wonderful power; for instance, in the scene of the puppets, where he demolishes the apparatus of the show, and then agrees to pay for the damage, and again refuses when the lady for whom compensation is demanded has been already rescued, fact and fancy contending with each other inextricably in his soul. As a study in psychology, no character of fiction or drama outside of Shakespeare is at all comparable to “Don Quixote.” Yet through all his grotesque hallucinations appears his essential nobility. As Sancho says of him, “He has a soul as clean as a pitcher. He can do no harm to anyone, but good to all. He has no malice at all. A child might persuade him it is night at noonday. And it is for this simplicity I love him like my heartstrings, and cannot be handy at leaving him for all the pranks he plays.” Thus do we love the simple-minded, even in madness.
One of the clearest evidences of Cervantes’ genius is his power to make even the vagaries of a madman so laughable. In any other hands the adventures of Don Quixote would not be funny. I remember once seeing a dramatic representation of the story, in which Henry Irving* impersonated the hero. It was well done, but it was not amusing. The poor knight was so utterly wrapped in his hallucinations that he was an object of pity rather than of laughter. But in the novel itself the humor of Cervantes overcomes even our sympathy. The wild reasoning of Don Quixote is often so irresistibly absurd that his madness is forgotten. For instance, he does penance in the Sierra Morena in honor of his Dulcinea, and proposes to imitate Amadis and Orlando, who tore up trees by the roots, slew shepherds, demolished houses, and performed a thousand other extravagances. Sancho remarks that these knights of old had a reason for their follies and penances, but that Don Quixote had none, to which his master replies, “In this consists the refinement of my plan. A knight errant that runs mad with cause deserves no thanks, but to do so without reason is the point, giving my lady to understand what I should perform in the wet, if I do this in the dry.”
The Spaniards say that “Don Quixote” is untranslatable. Of course a masterpiece of this kind can not be enjoyed to the full, with all its delicate aroma, in any other tongue, and in one sense it can not be fully understood by any one who is not himself a Spaniard, who has not the feelings, the surroundings, and perhaps the prejudices to which the great book was addressed. But, judged by such a standard, what masterpiece of past times can any of us fully enjoy? In another sense, however, a foreigner can enjoy “Don Quixote” better than a Spaniard; for some of its most characteristic features are those which to one who lives amid the same surroundings will pass unobserved. No one can judge of the perspective of a great work unless he be far enough away to see it in its relations to the rest of the world. In this larger sense, I think that Don Quixote can be understood by an American of our century as well as by a Spaniard of the time in which it was written. Something of the details will escape him, but the beauty of the whole may be even more apparent. The things that we lose in translation,—for instance, the sonorous solemnity of the magniloquent diction of Don Quixote,—are atoned for by the fact that Don Quixote himself is a more distinctive type to us than he could have been to the people of his own age and country.
I am not sure but that the Englishman or the American can grasp the sum total of his qualities better through a good translation than even in the original. The Spanish of “Don Quixote” is somewhat archaic, and in places a little obscure, even to the most proficient in the living tongue. So elusive is the pleasure which comes with the dry humor of such a book that it must offer itself spontaneously, it must fit the mood of the reader, it must be the luxury of an idle hour, or much of the charm of it will escape. Therefore it is that I have found in Shelton’s translation, and still more in the recent rendering of Mr. Watts, a keener pleasure than I have ever been able to dig out of the original mine.
“Don Quixote” is not without great faults. It was written carelessly. This indeed often adds to the naturalness of the descriptions and the situations, but the blemishes are sometimes self-evident and glaring. For instance, after Sancho’s ass has been stolen by Ginés de Pasamonte, the squire is represented, sometimes as walking, sometimes as riding on the very animal he has lost. Some of Cervantes’s commentators, like Clemencin, who are mathematical rather than artistic in their criticisms, call our attention to the numerous incongruities of this sort. But the greatest masters of literature, even Homer and Shakespeare—have been guilty in the same way.
*Sir Henry Irving (6 February 1838 – 13 October 1905), christened John Henry Brodribb, sometimes known as J. H. Irving, was an English stage actor in the Victorian era, known as an actor-manager because he took complete responsibility (supervision of sets, lighting, direction, casting, as well as playing the leading roles) for season after season at the West End's Lyceum Theatre, establishing himself and his company as representative of English classical theatre. In 1895 he became the first actor to be awarded a knighthood, indicating full acceptance into the higher circles of British society.
And finally my parting verse, such as it turned out.
It’s ‘Don Quixote Time’ Now
And Don Quixote has its relevance now,
Or it seems to with Trump and the MAGA bunch,
For we can’t now accept being out to lunch,
We only wish we could chill and disavow,
But it will not work that way; we’re stuck and how,
Times are serious, we’re getting in a crunch,
I think Biden will win, it’s only a hunch,
But Trump won’t go easy, and won’t ever bow.
Among the fear there is only the weirdness,
We pinch ourselves to death trying to awake,
It seems the political times; a mistake,
Trump supporters are endowed with such fierceness,
It’s quite hard to compare these times with our past,
Keeping our wits won’t be easy; must outlast.
So ends my look at Miguel Cervantes and his work Don Quixote. I must say that I was amazed at how the subject matter in this great work can so easily be adapted to Twenty First Century America. It only made me appreciate fine literature more, as describing an unusual time such as this year in 2024.
184th Posting, March 25, 2024.