“Above all, don't lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lies comes to a point when he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”
Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov
"In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, traitors, heady, high-minded having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."
John Henry Newman
"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to fulfill your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks from his own character— for he is a liar and the father of lies."
John 8:44
Stocks were once again wobbly today.
The mispricing of risk in High Yield has lowered the spread to quality to new lows again.
Yay us.
Gold and silver backed off a bit as the Dollar managed to take out the 97 level and hold it.
The constant drumbeat of the greatest economy rings a bit pale to the majority of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck.
NEW YORK – The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Center for Microeconomic Data released the January 2019 Survey of Consumer Expectations, which shows that while short-and medium-term inflation expectations were unchanged, households were generally less optimistic about the economy and about future changes in their financial situation. Expectations that the unemployment rate will be higher a year from now increased for the fourth consecutive month, and expectations about government debt growth increased sharply. Regarding their own financial situation, respondents were less optimistic about future credit availability, and fewer expect to be financially better off a year from now.The eventual reckoning to which the US is heading for its pride and inordinate devotion to power and the principle of 'might makes right' is going to be memorable.
NY Fed, Survey of Consumer Expectations, Feb 2019
I have been watching True Detective once more and this season three is proving to be a return to what made it so successful in season one. The acting of several of the key actors is remarkably good, and the writing, direction and dialogue are all turning out to be excellent.
It gives one something to do until the next, and alas the last, season of Game of Thrones returns.
You may wish to open your hearts to the great gifts of repentance, forgiveness, and thankfulness, which open the doorway to the enduring foundations of love. Otherwise, I do not see how one will be able to stand against the rising tide of deceit, fear, and the hatred which they are intended to spread in the hearts of the people to divide and subdue them.
Have a pleasant evening.
