In advance of the first round of Brazil’s presidential election, Tom Hennigan reflects on the significance of the country’s unusual ‘retro-futurist’ national flag and in particular of its famous motto celebrating order and progress.

If, as politicians like to assert, the people aren’t stupid, why do we have a word for it? Surely it wasn’t coined just for Afghan hounds.

Former French prime minister Michel Rocard, in a resounding ‘J’accuse!’, tells the British that if they want to leave the EU they should just do that, and quickly too. Really, they’ve done quite enough damage inside.

Money makes the world go round, but I think sensitive people like you and I can leave that to others.

Classical and medieval thinkers had a great deal of difficulty coming to terms with the practices of merchants, shopkeepers and stallholders. ‘Five obols, guv, and I’ll throw in the amphora. Can’t say fairer than that.’

Which is more important? Knowing something first or knowing it correctly? And is it possible that the frenetic pursuit of the first might make the second increasingly unlikely?

If we are indeed very slowly, very hesitatingly, and with no guarantees, coming out of the worst of our economic depression, everyone will be very happy – except the intellectuals.

A wide river can separate people on either bank. It has also been known, from time to time, to keep them safe.

The author of a biography of Macaulay replies to criticism in a recent review.

Rebecca Solnit remembers a time when the paper was delivered in the morning, you went to the pictures to see a film and Mom always had something good cooking in the kitchen.