“Action disconcerts us, partly because of our physical incompetence, but mainly because it offends our moral sensibility. We consider it immoral to act. It seems to us that every thought is debased when expressed in words, which transform the thought into the property of others, making it understandable to anyone who can understand it.”

Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, and publisher

Fernando Pessoa was a Portuguese poet, writer, literary critic, translator, and publisher. He became one of the central literary figures of the 20th century and is widely regarded as a major voice in Portuguese literature. He wrote not only in Portuguese but also in English and French, and he translated from both languages as well. His work spans poetry, criticism, and publishing, reflecting a career shaped by language, literary judgment, and experimentation.