Between the poles

Over-the-top praise casts a shadow: under-the-table aspersion. The stoic practices indifference to both.

Di-vision

We see everything in terms of shadow—a mixture of light and dark. The man who sees only black and white, good and bad, is not just blinkered; he’s blind.

Shadow self

Whatever is unconscious within us—our shadow self, to deploy a Jungian term—will express itself in our behaviour. Perhaps we’ll be shocked, puzzled or ashamed by this. Buddy cavils, “That’s not me!”

Anger buttoned down

The problem with being a perfectionist is that nothing is perfect. I cannot be a perfectionist without at the same time being humourless, self-righteous, impatient and lemon-faced.