The Difference Between Letters Of The Alphabet ... And Numbers

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There are useless letters

and letters which could be

dispensed with

What separate functions do 

d and t perform?

 They have almost the same sound

 The same goes for b and p

...

They are calligraphic folderol

 

Look at the digits:

there are no two which serve

the same function: 

 4 is 4 and 7 is 7

 

And consider the beauty

with which the 4 and the 7 form 

this thing which is represented by 11

Now double and you have 22

Multiply it by itself. It makes 484,

and so on

 

But where the perfection is greatest

is in the use of zero

The value of zero is, in itself, nothing

But what is the function 

of this negative symbol?

To augment

 

A 5 alone is a 5

Place 00 with it, it is 500

 

Thus, that which has no value 

makes great value  

 something which doubled letters don't do,

for I approve as much 

with one p as with two p's

 

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MACHADO de ASSIS

Dom Casmurro 

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