Korak nazad

The collection Step Back represents one of the most mature and famous books of aphorisms by Vlad Bulatović Vib (1930–1994), a writer, journalist and satirist who marked the Yugoslav humor scene. In this book, Vib summarizes social criticism, irony and philosophical reflection into short, sharp thoughts connected by a common idea — the courage to take a "step back" when the whole society is going in the wrong direction.

The author uses the form of an aphorism not only to ridicule hypocrisy and government, but also to call for self-questioning and moral responsibility. His thoughts are often paradoxical, but always clearly directed towards truth and reason. In them, one can recognize the themes of conformity, collective mentality, propaganda, mediocrity and fear, but also the eternal questions of freedom, courage and the meaning of human existence.

The language is simple, but rhythmic and precise; each aphorism is simultaneously striking and illuminating, bringing laughter and discomfort in the same sentence. Vib's humor is often bitter, but his basic starting point remains humanistic — the belief that society can only be improved if the individual learns to think for himself.

Step Back is therefore more than a collection of witty sentences: it is a moral, political, and philosophical diagnosis of society from which many of Vib's aphorisms have become anthological and equally relevant decades later.