18 July 2016

velleity

[vuh-lee-i-tee]

noun, plural velleities.

1. volition in its weakest form.
2. a mere wish, unaccompanied by an effort to obtain it. ‘He felt cast out; divorced from the caprices and the velleities of childhood‘ (Anita Brookner).
(From yourdictionary.com)

Origin of velleity

1610-1620; New Latin velleitās, equivalent to Latin velle to be willing + -itās -ity

Dictionary.com

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Today’s quote

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.

– Nelson Mandela

On this day

18 July – Mandela Day – An internationally recognised day to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, and in doing so build a global movement for good. Ultimately it seeks to empower communities everywhere. ‘Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day’. http://www.mandeladay.com/

18 July 64 AD – Great Fire of Rome.

18 July 1918 – birth of Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician. Died 5 December 2013.

18 July 1925 – Adolf Hitler publishes Mein Kampf. He wrote the book in prison while serving a sentence for treason. Mein kampf is German for ‘My Struggle’. The book is a rambling read in which Hitler covers many concepts including what he was like as a child and the reasons for collapse of the Second Reich. At its core it expresses Hitler’s view of his plans for Germany and often blames the Jews for many of the ills that had beset Germany, including the rise of Marxism, controlling the economy, weakening the army and bastardising the white race. Throughout the book, Hitler often mentioned that his plans to combat the Jewish influence in Germany was a fulfilment of the Lord’s will.

18 July 1937 – birth of Hunter S. Thompson, American writer and gonzo journalist. Died 20 February 2005.

18 July 1950 – birth of Richard Branson, British entrepreneur.