The Cat

 

Coloured pencil drawing by D. Allen

The cat, our silent philosopher

There she is, calm and coiled, like a thought waiting to be spoken. A cat isn’t just a pet; she’s a presence. She’s full of contradictions and beauty wrapped in fur.

When I tried to draw her, it felt like capturing a soft whisper. The pencil showed her careful nature, and the colored pencils reflected the sparkle in her eyes, holding secrets that seem older than our cities.

What makes cats such incredible companions on our journey through life? It’s not that they are loyal or obedient. They give their love on their own terms. It’s their mix of grace and freedom, their ability to be alone yet still loving, and their quiet purpose that sets them apart.

In a world full of noise, the cat reminds us how valuable silence is. When everyone is rushing to do more, she teaches us to slow down, soak up the sun, and take our time. And when we long to be understood, she doesn’t give answers but simply offers her presence. She’s here with us but doesn’t need to be managed.

There’s something deep in the way a cat looks at you. It feels like she sees through all the busy work and lightly challenges our constant activity. In her world, time stretches, and life is just this moment.

A cat shows us lessons that many wise thinkers valued: to be content within ourselves, to watch before we act, and to avoid chasing after what drains us. She won’t beg for your attention, but she’ll reward your patience. You have to earn her trust, not demand her love.

And what a love it is: silent and graceful, built on quiet moments together. Being loved by a cat means realizing that respect and closeness go hand in hand. It reminds us that love can be both wild and gentle.

So here’s to the cat—our quiet philosopher. She walks with us not just as a pet but as a reminder: to live with purpose, to watch, to relax without guilt, to trust quietly, and to love freely.

The Cat in Philosophy: Symbol and Stillness

Throughout history, cats haven't just roamed our homes but our minds too. They’re part of myths, stories, and philosophical thoughts.

In Ancient Egypt: The Sacred Companion

In the warm Nile, Egyptians saw cats as a mix of hunter and protector. Bastet, the goddess with a cat's head, was honored for her role in home and safety. To harm a cat was a grave sin; living with one was a path to harmony.

In that culture, cats brought order amidst chaos - a presence in homes stemming from wild origins. They balance the wild and domestic.

In Eastern Thought: The Way of the Cat

When Laozi talked about effortless action, he might have been describing a cat. She moves with meaning but without struggle, flowing with life rather than forcing it.

In Zen Buddhism, a cat becomes a living question: What does a purr sound like in an empty room? A cat doesn’t rest just because she’s tired; she knows the importance of taking breaks. Like a wise person, she listens more than she talks, acts patiently, and lives in the moment.

In this view, a cat isn’t just a mystery; she’s a master of herself, her urges, and her time.

In Western Philosophy: The Cat as a Question

Western thinkers have often been unsure about cats - maybe because they won’t fit neatly into boxes. Unlike dogs that are loyal followers, cats are their own beings. They’re wild yet domestic, loving but independent.

Descartes might have struggled to categorize a cat. How do you define a creature that feels so much yet remains so detached? The cat challenges rigid ways of thinking. She doesn’t think “I am”; she just exists—and that's powerful.

Nietzsche would likely appreciate her free spirit, living by her own rules without seeking permission or approval.

In Folklore and Magic: The In-Between

Cats have long been associated with nighttime, witches, and the moon -not because they’re bad but because they exist on the edges of two worlds. They wander between:

Day and night

Home and wild

Known and unknown

In stories, they move through different realms. In philosophy, they show us how to exist in multiple states without conflict.

They’re living puzzles, reminding us that truth can be complicated and doesn’t always follow a straight path. Sometimes, it curls up in a sunbeam, half-asleep, keeping the universe's secrets safe with a gentle purr.

To think about a cat is to reflect on existence itself - quiet, aware, alert, and full of unspoken strength.

She’s more than just a pet. She’s a metaphor for something greater. And