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Tuesday 15 November 2011

A definite outline for our ignorance

David Cameron

The beginning of an acquaintance whether with persons or things is to get a definite outline for our ignorance...

But a great deal of life goes on without strong passion: myriads of cravats are carefully tied, dinners attended, even speeches made proposing the health of august personages without the zest arising from a strong desire. And a man may make a good appearance in high social position - may be supposed to know the classics, to have his reserves on science, a strong though repressed opinion on politics, and all the sentiments of the English gentleman, at small expense of vital energy. 


Also, he may be obstinate or persistent at the same low rate, and may even show sudden impulses which have a false air of daemonic strength because they seem inexplicable, though perhaps their secret lies merely in the want of regulated channels for the soul to move in - good and sufficient ducts of habit without which our nature easily turns to mere ooze and mud, and at any pressure yields nothing but a spurt or a puddle.

George Eliot - Daniel Deronda

2 comments:

Demetrius said...

Thou boy of tears.......?

A K Haart said...

D - unfortunately yes.