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Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 10:51
by SadisticCynic
This will seem off-topic for a moment but bear with me...

In reading The Lazarus Effect I came across a chapter epigraph; a quote from the Histories saying 'May you live in interesting times.' atttributed as a curse. Typing this into Google (I wanted a source) brought up Wikipedia first (naturally). It reveals this is the first of three curses increasing in severity. They are:

May you live in interesting times.
May you come to the attention of those in authority.
May you find what you are looking for.


You can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_you_li ... ting_times

I thought this bears a remarkable resemblance to the three traditional curses Duncan uses on Stilgar in Children of Dune (can't remember them exactly now). Cool eh?

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 12:09
by Freakzilla
SadisticCynic wrote:I thought this bears a remarkable resemblance to the three traditional curses Duncan uses on Stilgar in Children of Dune (can't remember them exactly now). Cool eh?
"You have defiled my honor!" Stilgar cried. "This is neutral --"
"Shut up!" Idaho glared at the shocked Naib. "You wear a collar, Stilgar!"
It was one of the three most deadly insults which could be directed at a
Fremen. Stilgar's face went pale.
"You are a servant," Idaho said. "You've sold Fremen for their water."
This was the second most deadly insult, the one which had destroyed the
original Jacurutu.
Stilgar ground his teeth, put a hand on his crysknife. The aide stepped back
away from the body in the doorway.
Turning his back on the Naib, Idaho stepped into the door, taking the narrow
opening beside Javid's body and speaking without turning, delivered the third
insult. "You have no immortality, Stilgar. None of your descendants carry your
blood!"
"Where do you go now, mentat?" Stilgar called as Idaho continued leaving the
room. Stilgar's voice was as cold as a wind from the poles.
"To find Jacurutu," Idaho said, still not turning.
Stilgar drew his knife. "Perhaps I can help you."

~CoD

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 12:25
by Rakis
Freakzilla wrote:
SadisticCynic wrote:I thought this bears a remarkable resemblance to the three traditional curses Duncan uses on Stilgar in Children of Dune (can't remember them exactly now). Cool eh?
"You have defiled my honor!" Stilgar cried. "This is neutral --"
"Shut up!" Idaho glared at the shocked Naib. "You wear a collar, Stilgar!"
It was one of the three most deadly insults which could be directed at a
Fremen. Stilgar's face went pale.
"You are a servant," Idaho said. "You've sold Fremen for their water."
This was the second most deadly insult, the one which had destroyed the
original Jacurutu.
Stilgar ground his teeth, put a hand on his crysknife. The aide stepped back
away from the body in the doorway.
Turning his back on the Naib, Idaho stepped into the door, taking the narrow
opening beside Javid's body and speaking without turning, delivered the third
insult. "You have no immortality, Stilgar. None of your descendants carry your
blood!"
"Where do you go now, mentat?" Stilgar called as Idaho continued leaving the
room. Stilgar's voice was as cold as a wind from the poles.
"To find Jacurutu," Idaho said, still not turning.
Stilgar drew his knife. "Perhaps I can help you."

~CoD
That's WAY more insulting than "May you live in interesting times"... :)

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 13:05
by SadisticCynic
:oops: Forgot those are insults, not curses...

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 13:13
by A Thing of Eternity
Oh well, interesting anyways.

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 16:12
by SandChigger
Yep.

Over the years I've asked a number of my Chinese students if they've ever heard of that curse or something similar. None ever have. Of course, it may have been a pre-Revolution thing, given the early 20th century dates mentioned on the WP page.

Would this qualify as a Fremen curse? "May thy knife chip and shatter." ;)

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 16:56
by SadisticCynic
Yeah I reckon that's a curse. :)

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 19 May 2009 18:50
by SandChigger
(I wasn't actually saying it, of course. ;) )

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 20 May 2009 08:36
by Freakzilla
SandChigger wrote:Yep.

Over the years I've asked a number of my Chinese students if they've ever heard of that curse or something similar. None ever have. Of course, it may have been a pre-Revolution thing, given the early 20th century dates mentioned on the WP page.

Would this qualify as a Fremen curse? "May thy knife chip and shatter." ;)
I've always thought of it more as an "engaurd" but I guess it is.

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 20 May 2009 10:42
by SandChigger
Yeah ... as a curse it's definitely kinda weak in terms of projected duration. Provided things go as you hope. ;)

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 20 May 2009 20:48
by SandRider
huh. ya know, I've sold many a Fremen for his Water,
and according to the photographs, I've also worn many a collar.

I suppose I can only pray my sons won't carry my blood, however
that may work. Fuck immortality, Free Your Mind &
Your Politics Will Follow







hi y'all; been drinkin that Wellers & Water since about 5pm.

:twisted:

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 21 Jun 2009 21:56
by moreh_yeladim
SandChigger wrote:Yep.

Over the years I've asked a number of my Chinese students if they've ever heard of that curse or something similar. None ever have. Of course, it may have been a pre-Revolution thing, given the early 20th century dates mentioned on the WP page.

Would this qualify as a Fremen curse? "May thy knife chip and shatter." ;)
"May you live in interesting times" was actually invented in New Jersey. My dad met the guy who made it up and pretended it was an ancient Chinese curse.

Re: Three curses!

Posted: 21 Jun 2009 22:39
by SandChigger
And there you have it! :)