The article by Rubem Alves draws inspiration from a previous column he wrote as he muses on the profound feelings of surprise and admiration that can accompany an author's reflection on their past work. He references the literary figure Fernando Pessoa, who would marvel at the quality of his own writings, pondering how he arrived at such profound thoughts. This introspection leads Alves to question the nature of his own work and the societal context surrounding it, especially considering Brazil's current challenges.

Alves recalls his own article, "Medíocres ou guerreiros," written during the presidency of Fernando Collor de Mello, and expresses a desire to republish it due to the courage and indignation he felt at the time. He juxtaposes this past feeling with the present-day crises in Brazil, affirming the timeless nature of questioning authority and the socio-political landscape. His reflections serve to inspire readers to confront their own feelings about the current state of the nation.

Ultimately, Alves invites readers to engage with his writings from the past, suggesting that if they resonated with him, they may very well resonate with others as well. This act of revisiting past works during turbulent times illustrates the enduring relevance of literature and thought in processing cultural crises and the evolution of individual perspectives over time.