Hoax – The text “Minha alma está em brisa”, about turning 50, is falsely attributed to Mário de Andrade.
Analysis
Motivational phrases and texts wrongly attributed to famous authors circulate widely on the internet. Modernist writer Mário de Andrade, known for works like *Macunaíma* and his central role in the 1922 Modern Art Week, is another name commonly used in such misinformation. His name often appears attached to texts that do not match his work or style.
Recently, a text titled “Minha alma está em brisa” (“My Soul is in a Breeze”) has been circulating, generally aimed at people over 50 and offering reflections on aging wisely. Though beautiful and touching, the content has been falsely attributed to Mário de Andrade. Below is the shared content:
This beautiful poem by Mario de Andrade is for those who are 50 or older, but today it is a luxury for everyone. Read slowly, you will like it. I liked it a lot. MY SOUL IS IN A BREEZE Mário de Andrade I counted my years and discovered that I have less time to live from now on than what I have lived so far. I feel like that child who received a pack of sweets; the first ones were eaten with pleasure, but when they realized there were few left, they began to savor them deeply. I no longer have time for endless meetings where internal rules, procedures, and regulations are discussed, knowing that nothing will be achieved.
I no longer have time to support absurd people who, despite their chronological age, have not grown up. My time is too short to discuss titles. I want the essence, my soul is in a hurry… Not many sweets left in the bag… I want to live alongside human beings, very human. Who know how to laugh at their mistakes. Who are not inflated by their triumphs. Who do not consider themselves chosen before their time. Who are not distant from their responsibilities. Who defend human dignity. And want to walk on the side of truth and honesty. The essential is what makes life worthwhile.
I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch others’ hearts… People whom life’s blows taught to grow with gentle touches to the soul. Yes… I’m in a hurry… I’m in a hurry to live, with the intensity that only maturity can bring. I intend not to waste any of the sweets I have or may get… I’m sure they will be more exquisite than those I’ve had so far. My goal is to reach the end satisfied and in peace with my loved ones and with my conscience. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one… Send this to all your friends over 50. Mário de Andrade
Fact-check
The viral text raised a series of questions about its authenticity. Among them: 1) Who is Mário de Andrade? 2) Is the text “Minha alma está em brisa” really his? 3) Are there other cases of misattributed authorship to famous writers?
Who is Mário de Andrade?
Mário de Andrade was one of the leading figures of Brazilian modernism. Born in 1893 and deceased in 1945, he stood out as a writer, poet, essayist, and musicologist. His most famous work is the modernist novel Macunaíma, published in 1928.
Mário also played an important political and cultural role, serving as director of the São Paulo Department of Culture and as one of the organizers of the 1922 Modern Art Week. His style is marked by linguistic experimentation, social criticism, and a strong connection with Brazilian identity.
Is “Minha alma está em brisa” by Mário de Andrade?
No. Despite its wide popularity on social media, the text “Minha alma está em brisa” was not written by Mário de Andrade. The correct author is pastor and writer Ricardo Gondim, who published it on his personal website in 2008 (long after Mário de Andrade’s death).
The language used, filled with modern expressions and emotional appeals, completely differs from the writing style of Mário de Andrade, who lived in the early 20th century.
Furthermore, expressions like “I no longer have time to support absurd people” and “my goal is to reach the end satisfied” are typical of contemporary motivational texts, unlike the vocabulary and aesthetic structure of modernist prose. Mário’s signature at the end is fake, and the text circulates without any reliable source indicating he wrote it.
Are there other cases of misattributed authorship to famous writers?
Yes. Mário de Andrade’s case is not isolated. Many texts on the internet are incorrectly attributed to well-known authors.
Examples include a fake New Year poem attributed to Fernando Pessoa, a high blood pressure article falsely linked to Luis Fernando Verissimo, and a political piece wrongly attributed to Arnaldo Jabor. In all these cases, authors have denied authorship or evidence shows the text originated elsewhere.
Conclusion
The text “Minha alma está em brisa” was not written by Mário de Andrade. The actual author is pastor and writer Ricardo Gondim, as registered on his website. The language and content do not match Mário’s modernist work. False attributions like this are common online, especially with emotional or motivational content.
Fake news ❌
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