Don't Try - The Philosophy of Charles Bukowski

Charles Bukowski is an iconic writer from the 20th century known for producing some of the rawest and most honest stories and poems of recent history. His own story included.

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[CalamityDiamond]

"If you have to try to try, then maybe you don't care about it."
Well put.

[suly]

If you're losing your soul and you know it, then you've still got a soul left to lose.
~ bukowski

[nehamotwani]

"If the thought of life without it or never having tried it at all, terrifies you, then it is here." Do try it, and go all the way till the end.
Well said.

[KlaxontheImpailr]

This reminds me of Kiki’s Delivery Service when Ursula said

“Stop trying. Take long walks. Look at scenery. Doze off at noon. Don’t even think about flying. And then, pretty soon, you’ll be flying again.”

I wonder if this is really what Burkowsky meant.

[sunlion]

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.”

- Charles Bukowski

[janieforb]

"Beauty is nothing, beauty won’t stay. You don’t know how lucky you are to be ugly, because if people like you, you know it’s for something else." - Charles Bukowski

[Saskiequelle]

”If you find yourself wanting something month after month, year after year, yet nothing happens and you never come any closer to it, then maybe what you actually want is a fantasy, an idealization, a false promise. Maybe what you want isn’t what you want, you just enjoy wanting.”

[ceemoegreen]

“The man who sleeps on the floor can’t fall out of bed” ~Martin Payne

[jadedjade]

“Find what you love and let it kill you” -Charles Bukowski

[roziboutique]

"I don't hate people. I just feel better when they aren't around", Charles bukowski.

[somebodynow]

"If the thoughts of not doing the thing hurts more than potentially suffering through the process"-- bukowski. That hit like a nail in the head

[sagatuppercut]

I discovered Bukowski's poetry when I was a teenager. I was browsing in a bookstore one day, and I decided to pick up one of his books. I was amused with the boldness of his words. He could write about something embarrassing in his life and not seem to care how his audience would judge him. I didn't like poetry at the time, but I liked his poetry because it was something that I could relate to. I was even inspired to write my own poetry. Thank you for your work, Mr. Bukowski.

[danilanilov]

It’s sad that we don’t teach these types of things to kids

[briobrio]

“If you’re going to try, go all the way.”
- Charles Bukowski

[TheCatcat]

“Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way.” - Michael G. Scott

[unknownunkown]

This is honestly the best piece of advice that one could ever hear. Don’t try. Just be. Just live.

[alexanderschirmer]

"Life is too important to be taken seriously."

– Oscar Wilde

[bshaun]

Philosophy should be taught more in high school. There aren’t enough deep thinkers anymore. Everybody performs mindless tasks thinking they will benefit their futures when really it’s just another a cycle of performing dreadful tasks until you retire, then ultimately die after not living your ideal life. The time on earth you have is a beautiful gift that’s wrapped in dog shit. Life has great potential but naturally it sucks ass, and it’s those who think whether or not they’ll be happy following their current path that truly realize they need a change.

[jonathanwalker]

"We don't even ask happiness, just a little less pain."

[parabellum]

He really reminds me of Nietzsche, suffering immensely at an early age, suffering through intense medical conditions later in life, and having your work be lately appreciated.