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Often appears with: justice as a virtue · marriage and betrothal · honor, shame, and reputation · contracts, oaths, and obligation · friendship and loyalty · counsel and advisers to rulers · sexuality and desire · the passions and the emotions · language, naming, and meaning · fate, destiny, and necessity · conquest, plunder, and captives · sin, guilt, and repentance
Usually: narrative (55) · deception discovered (50) · censure (40) · detachment (40) · indignation (36) · argument (31) · skepticism (26) · temptation (22) · betrayal (17) · reflection (16)
“Then the good are our friends and the bad our enemies?” Plato, The Republic · observation
“I have heard of patriotism in the United States, and it is a virtue which may be found among the people, but never among the leaders of the people.” Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America — Volume 1 · observation
“thus availing himself of the device the devil has recourse to when he would deceive one who is on the watch; for he being the angel of darkness transforms himself into an angel of light, and, under cover of a fair seeming, discloses himself at length, and effects his purpose if at the beginning his wiles are not discovered.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“Unhappy, shortsighted Anselmo, what art thou doing, what art thou plotting, what art thou devising? Bethink thee thou art working against thyself, plotting thine own dishonour, devising thine own ruin.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · vivid
“Take back thy money, my friend; here it is, and I have had no need to touch it, for the chastity of Camilla yields not to things so base as gifts or promises.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“they are wont to say that he who gives quickly gives twice.” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · precept
“for love, as I have heard say, sometimes flies and sometimes walks; with this one it runs, with that it moves slowly; some it cools, others it burns; some it wounds, others it slays; it begins the course of its desires, and at the same moment completes and ends it” Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote · observation
“Within there are tormented Ulysses and Diomed, and thus together They unto vengeance run as unto wrath.” Dante Alighieri, Divine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, Hell · insight
“I'll contrive that she lie by you so near this night, that she'll nevermore withhold from you her love.” Unknown (Middle High German epic tradition), The Nibelungenlied · precept
“Siegfried bare him as though he were Gunther, the mighty king. In his arms he clasped the lovely maid.” Unknown (Middle High German epic tradition), The Nibelungenlied · vivid
“And so, you and Homer and Simonides are agreed that justice is an art of theft; to be practised however ‘for the good of friends and for the harm of enemies,’—that was what you were saying?” Plato, The Republic · wit
“Nay, Gentlemen, (said he,) Dr. Goldsmith is in the right. A nobleman ought to have made up to such a man as Goldsmith” James Boswell, Boswell's Life of Johnson · insight
Isaac, now blind and preparing to bless Esau, is deceived by Jacob through Rebecca’s plan using kids’ meat and Esau’s clothing; Isaac blesses Jacob and is unaware of the substitution.
And it came to pass that Isaac waxed old and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see. Then called he Esau his eldest son and said unto him: my son. And he said unto him: here am I. And he said: behold, I am old and know not the day of my death: Now therefore take thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and get thee to the fields, and take me some venison, and make me meat such as I love, and bring it me and let me e…
Marius, stung by Metellus’s taunt about his candidacy with his son, uses flattery and relaxed discipline to boost his popularity among merchants at Utica, claiming Metellus deliberately prolongs the war.
be soon enough if he became a candidate with his own son."[187] Metellus's son was then on service in the camp with his father[188], and was about twenty years old. This taunt served only to rouse the feelings of Marius, as well for the honor at which he aimed, as against Metellus. He suffered himself to be actuated, therefore, by ambition and resentment, the worst of counselors. He omitted nothing henceforward, eit…
Plutarch recounts sayings and anecdotes of Dionysius at Corinth, including remarks about philosophy, the cruelty of sovereignty’s lack of honest friends, and witty exchanges with Diogenes and others, ending by defending such anecdotes in Lives.
solicitous to retrieve it; to avoid which dangers, he purposely and against his true nature affected an appearance of folly and want of spirit in his private life and amusements. However it be, there are sayings and repartees of his left still upon record, which seem to show that he not ignobly accommodated himself to his present circumstances; as may appear in part from the ingenuousness of the avowal he made on co…
After recovering at Naples Pompey’s celebratory reception across Italy boosts his confidence, which Plutarch links to the civil war’s outbreak, as Appius flatters Pompey and praises Caesar’s vulnerability.
with Parthia, he sent for his two legions which he had lent him. However, Caesar, though he well knew why they were asked for, sent them home very liberally rewarded. About that time Pompey recovered of a dangerous fit of sickness which seized him at Naples, where the whole city, upon the suggestion of Praxagoras, made sacrifices of thanksgiving to the gods for his recovery. The neighboring towns likewise happening…
Plutarch describes Cleopatra’s constant flattery and games with Antony, including staged fishing to win laughter, while news of Lucius and Fulvia’s revolt and Parthian invasions reaches him.
be amongst the rest some antique or famous piece of workmanship, which Antony would be sorry to part with." These anecdotes my grandfather told us Philotas used frequently to relate. To return to Cleopatra; Plato admits four sorts of flattery, but she had a thousand. Were Antony serious or disposed to mirth, she had at any moment some new delight or charm to meet his wishes; at every turn she was upon him, and let …
Ailill’s side tries to bait Cú Chulainn with Findabair and a disguised fool, but Cú Chulainn recognizes the trick and kills the fool while impaling both the man and Findabair’s intermediary plan, then removes the truce.
'Cuchulainn's man,' said he, 'and do not disturb me, lest I strike your head off.' 'This man is fierce,' said Mane, turning from him. He goes then to speak to Cuchulainn. Now Cuchulainn had taken off his tunic, and the snow was round him up to his waist as he sat, and the snow melted round him a cubit for the greatness of the heat of the hero. Mane said to him in the same way thrice, 'whose man was he?' 'Conchobar…
Host commanders attempt trickery by feeding messengers wine and offering Findabair, but Cú Chulainn fights Larine with unarmed violence and defeats him, while Lugaid tries to manage the sibling rivalry and the duel’s stakes.
hill is named Fithi (?) for ever; Croenech in Murthemne, From to-day Focherd will be the name Of the place in which thou didst fall, O Ferbaeth. O Ferbaeth,' etc. 'Your comrade has fallen,' said Fergus. 'Say will you pay for this man on the morrow?' 'I will pay indeed,' said Cuchulainn. Cuchulainn sends Loeg again for news, to know how they are in the camp, and whether Ferbaeth lived. Lugaid said: 'Ferbaeth is dea…
Demosthenes argues that Athenian failure is due mainly to orators who flatter and to politics that distract Athens from effective defense, insisting the worst past condition can still enable future repair if citizens act responsibly.
the exertions of the orator had their due effect. Even Mitford confesses, with reference to the operations of that period, that Athens found in Demosthenes an able and effective minister. Many speeches, men of Athens, are made in almost every assembly about the hostilities of Philip, hostilities which ever since the treaty of peace he has been committing as well against you as against the rest of the Greeks; and all…
He explains why local peoples sometimes indulge Philip’s agents more than their own—factions try to please audiences—and warns Athenians not to believe they cannot suffer major misfortune.
for their political conduct than your faithful counselors: and see what evils are caused by listening to such men with indulgence. I will mention facts that you will all remember. In Olynthus some of the statesmen were in Philip's interest, doing every thing for him; some were on the honest side, aiming to preserve their fellow-citizens from slavery. Which party now destroyed their country? or which betrayed the cav…
Lothario accepts Anselmo’s scheme, agrees to court Camilla with money, jewels, music, and verses, but secretly intends to pursue an actual affair while Anselmo sets up conditions for private access.
not to undertake it, even if further difficulties present themselves to thee; for, as I have said, if thou wilt only make a beginning I will acknowledge the issue decided.” Lothario seeing the fixed determination of Anselmo, and not knowing what further examples to offer or arguments to urge in order to dissuade him from it, and perceiving that he threatened to confide his pernicious scheme to someone else, to avoid…
While Camilla and Lothario are left alone at table, Lothario feigns sleeping, then reports to Anselmo that he first extolled Camilla’s beauty to make her receptive next time, even praising the devil’s method of deception.
back. In short he contrived to put so good a face on the reason, or the folly, of his absence that no one could have suspected it was a pretence. Anselmo took his departure, and Camilla and Lothario were left alone at the table, for the rest of the household had gone to dinner. Lothario saw himself in the lists according to his friend’s wish, and facing an enemy that could by her beauty alone vanquish a squadron of …
Anselmo watches through a keyhole and confronts Lothario after discovering he said nothing to Camilla, then removes himself for eight days, giving Lothario more room to deceive under cover of errands.
stood as firm against gifts and promises as against words, and that there was no use in taking any further trouble, for the time was all spent to no purpose. But chance, directing things in a different manner, so ordered it that Anselmo, having left Lothario and Camilla alone as on other occasions, shut himself into a chamber and posted himself to watch and listen through the keyhole to what passed between them, and…
Lothario tells Anselmo that Camilla has rejected all promises and gifts and insists they must stop testing, presenting her chastity as steadfast and urging Anselmo to rest safely in “sound reflection.”
highly prized. He went at once to see Lothario, and found him at home; they embraced each other, and Anselmo asked for the tidings of his life or his death. “The tidings I have to give thee, Anselmo my friend,” said Lothario, “are that thou dost possess a wife that is worthy to be the pattern and crown of all good wives. The words that I have addressed to her were borne away on the wind, my promises have been despis…
Lothario recites sonnets about Chloris’s cruelty and his own suffering, blending love-poetry with deception, while Camilla grows more satisfied and later privately regrets not extracting more cost or effort from him.
thoughts and writings had her for their object, and that she herself was the real Chloris, she asked him to repeat some other sonnet or verses if he recollected any. “I do,” replied Lothario, “but I do not think it as good as the first one, or, more correctly speaking, less bad; but you can easily judge, for it is this. SONNET I know that I am doomed; death is to me As certain as that thou, ungrateful fair, Dead a…
Leonela and Camilla debate love’s power and justify Lothario’s pursuit, with Leonela reciting a “complete alphabet” of admirable qualities Lothario has for Camilla.
“They say also,” said Camilla, “that what costs little is valued less.” “That saying does not hold good in your case,” replied Leonela, “for love, as I have heard say, sometimes flies and sometimes walks; with this one it runs, with that it moves slowly; some it cools, others it burns; some it wounds, others it slays; it begins the course of its desires, and at the same moment completes and ends it; in the morning i…
Sancho, alone, weighs the risk of searching in El Toboso without knowing Dulcinea personally, then resolves to exploit Don Quixote’s delusions by claiming any nearby girl is Dulcinea to stop future messages.
lady’s palaces or castles to-night, now that it is daylight I count upon finding them when I least expect it, and once found, leave it to me to manage her.” “Verily, Sancho,” said Don Quixote, “thou dost always bring in thy proverbs happily, whatever we deal with; may God give me better luck in what I am anxious about.” With this, Sancho wheeled about and gave Dapple the stick, and Don Quixote remained behind, seat…
Don Quixote and the knight exchange courteous questions about misery and knighthood; Don Quixote says the knight’s love causes his sorrow, while Sancho jokes about his lady being gentle and softer than butter.
I; But still, obedient to the laws of love, Here, hard or soft, I offer you my breast, Whate’er you grave or stamp thereon shall rest Indelible for all eternity. With an “Ah me!” that seemed to be drawn from the inmost recesses of his heart, the Knight of the Grove brought his lay to an end, and shortly afterwards exclaimed in a melancholy and piteous voice, “O fairest and most ungrateful woman on earth! What! can i…
Jacobs says a sympathetic unmarried white man begins writing and meeting her when she is fifteen, and she describes how this romance-like attention, plus revenge against Dr. Flint, leads to her perilous decision.
too strong for me. I felt as if I was forsaken by God and man; as if all my efforts must be frustrated; and I became reckless in my despair. I have told you that Dr. Flint’s persecutions and his wife’s jealousy had given rise to some gossip in the neighborhood. Among others, it chanced that a white unmarried gentleman had obtained some knowledge of the circumstances in which I was placed. He knew my grandmother, and…
Faithful describes escaping the Slough of Despond, then facing Wanton’s flattering trap and later meeting Adam the First, who offers worldly delights and inheritance through deception.
CHR. Did you meet with no other assault as you came? {175} FAITH. When I came to the foot of the hill called Difficulty, I met with a very aged man, who asked me what I was, and whither bound. I told him that I am a pilgrim, going to the Celestial City. Then said the old man, Thou lookest like an honest fellow; wilt thou be content to dwell with me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked him his name, and…
Gibbon concludes with a moral-religious reflection: internecine Christian divisions prove that Christian hatred can exceed animal fury, and he rejects partisan demonization by assigning mixed good and evil to rival orthodox and heretical sects.
enthusiasm of the Camisards; and if the fanatics of Languedoc surpassed those of Numidia, by their military achievements, the Africans maintained their fierce independence with more resolution and perseverance. 159 157 (return) [ See Optatus Milevitanus, (particularly iii. 4,) with the Donatis history, by M. Dupin, and the original pieces at the end of his edition. The numerous circumstances which August…
Gibbon depicts domestic cruelty and social coldness among Roman nobles—harsh lashings, mild talk of murder, declining hospitality, and social forgetting—then criticizes their guest selection and dependence on flattery at banquets.
Their numbers and their deformity excite the horror of the indignant spectators, who are ready to execrate the memory of Semiramis, for the cruel art which she invented, of frustrating the purposes of nature, and of blasting in the bud the hopes of future generations. In the exercise of domestic jurisdiction, the nobles of Rome express an exquisite sensibility for any personal inju…
After consecration at Worms, Gunther tells Siegfried his humiliation from the night; Siegfried vows to “tame” Brunhild by swapping roles via stealth, while keeping that he will not embrace her himself.
the bed again, to the lady he went and laid him down so far away, that thereafter he full seldom touched her comely weeds. Nor would she have allowed it. Then their servants came and brought them new attire, of which great store was ready for them against the morn. However merry men made, the lord of the land was sad enow, albeit he wore a crown that day. As was the usage which they had and which they kept by right,…
That evening, Gunther bolts the door and hides lights while Siegfried impersonates him with Brunhild; Brunhild first fights fiercely, but eventually yields and Gunther’s marriage proceeds.
Gunther believed full well what Siegfried spake. From the knightly sports there came both joy and woe; but men forbade the hurtling and the shouting, since now the ladies were to hie them to the hall. The grooms-in-waiting bade the people stand aside; the court was cleared of steeds and folk. A bishop led each of the ladies, as they should go to table in the presence of the kings. Many a stately warrior followed to …
Back in Cortes’ camp, Leon and father Olmedo report that they received and distributed Cortes’ gifts and employed flattery and deception on Narvaez, while Cortes’ men grow joyful yet prepare for an expected battle next day.
when our outpost brought information that two or three men on horseback were approaching our camp, and we immediately concluded it must be Leon, his servant Juan, and father Olmedo. Cortes and all of us were delighted to see them safely returned. Leon then related what the reader has just heard, and how he had secretly distributed the presents as Cortes had desired. We were particularly amused with what father Olmed…
He says patriotism can exist among the American people but not leaders, because servility and adulation cling to power, and moralists tailor harsh truths by claiming the people are too virtuous to lose control.
all who peruse them will raise their voices to condemn me; and in the second place, that very many of them will acquit me at the bottom of their conscience. I have heard of patriotism in the United States, and it is a virtue which may be found among the people, but never among the leaders of the people. This may be explained by analogy; despotism debases the oppressed much more than the oppressor: in absolute monarc…
Zarathustra argues that among people everything becomes misheard, out-talked, and betrayed, while he confesses to having indulged others’ misjudgments out of pity and self-concealment from their spiteful “good.”
—Until at last thou alone sattest thirsty amongst the drunken ones, and wailedst nightly: ‘Is taking not more blessed than giving? And stealing yet more blessed than taking?’—THAT was forsakenness! And dost thou remember, O Zarathustra? When thy stillest hour came and drove thee forth from thyself, when with wicked whispering it said: ‘Speak and succumb!’— —When it disgusted thee with all thy waiting and silence, a…
Locke explains how belief in innate principles arose as a convenient shortcut for people to stop inquiry, benefiting teachers who could dictate unquestionable truths.
25. Whence the Opinion of Innate Principles. When men have found some general propositions that could not be doubted of as soon as understood, it was, I know, a short and easy way to conclude them innate. This being once received, it eased the lazy from the pains of search, and stopped the inquiry of the doubtful concerning all that was once styled innate. And it was of no small advantage to those who affected to be…
Near Anne Warwick’s Isle, Indigenous people repeatedly lure the general with signals about missing men, but the text claims their “crafty” tactics include ambush tricks, feigned injury, and counterfeiting a lame person.
the same, and not coming near together. It seemeth they have been used to this trade or traffic with some other people adjoining, or not far distant from their country. After four days some of them showed themselves upon the firm land, but not where they were before. Our general, very glad thereof, supposing to hear of our men, went from the island with the boat and sufficient company with him. They seemed very gl…
Hume turns to virtues immediately agreeable to others, explaining how laws of justice and rules of politeness arise from human self-love and pride, and how good manners, wit, conversation habits, and light humorous lying shape esteem.
OF QUALITIES IMMEDIATELY AGREEABLE TO OTHERS. [Footnote: It is the nature and, indeed, the definition of virtue, that it is A QUALITY OF THE MIND AGREEABLE TO OR APPROVED OF BY EVERY ONE WHO CONSIDERS OR CONTEMPLATES IT. But some qualities produce pleasure, because they are useful to society, or useful or agreeable to the person himself; others produce it more immediately, which is the case with the class of virtues…
It recounts Abigail Adams refusing ambition to be published, replying to Judge Vanderkemp and President Monroe’s flattery remark, and the editor concluding her attraction lay in a lively moral spirit rather than formal learning.
the former is much the most full. Frequently, it will be seen that she did not copy, the task being, as she testifies in the postscript, extremely irksome to her. The value attached to her letters by some of her correspondents, even during her lifetime, was so considerable that it produced from one of them, the late Judge Vanderkemp, of New York, a request that a collection should then be made for publication. In al…
John Adams (July 23, 1775) reflects on why outsiders cannot truly realize suffering, urges fortitude for Abigail, praises her as a heroine, discusses clergy politics, and jokes about letters and pins sent to Portia.
and the Massachusetts. They thank God most explicitly and fervently for our remarkable successes. They pray for the American army. They seem to feel as if they were among you. You ask if every member feels for us? Every member says he does, and most of them really do. But most of them feel more for themselves. In every society of men, in every club I ever yet saw, you find some who are timid, their fears hurry them …
Nietzsche claims profound things hate being imitated and that shame invents masks; deep spirits need concealment because superficial interpretation constantly distorts their words and actions.
sec, clair, sans illusion. Un banquier, qui a fait fortune, a une partie du caractere requis pour faire des decouvertes en philosophie, c'est-a-dire pour voir clair dans ce qui est." 40. Everything that is profound loves the mask: the profoundest things have a hatred even of figure and likeness. Should not the CONTRARY only be the right disguise for the shame of a God to go about in? A question worth asking!--it wou…
It stresses forgiveness and love of enemies, arguing that anger can be natural and socially useful but revenge must not be practiced, because wrongdoers act from ignorance.
[A] See viii. 52; and Persius iii. 66 Further he says: "Take pleasure in one thing and rest in it in passing from one social act to another social act, thinking of God" (vi. 7). Again: "Love mankind. Follow God" (vii. 31). It is the characteristic of the rational soul for a man to love his neighbor (xi. 1). Antoninus teaches in various passages the forgiveness of injuries, and we know that he also practised what he …
A letter to Bucer (dated 17 Nov. 1535) argues that meetings claiming the Church can be dangerously separated from true divine influence, warns against flattery, and rebukes a feared deed as damnable while urging Bucer’s prayers.
nowhere, seeing that everywhere there is ignorance. Yet the ignorance of the children of God is of such a nature, that it does not hinder them from following his will. Were it a question of comparison of such meetings with the synagogues of the Jews, I should fear to injure the latter in not preferring them to the other, or at least placing them in the background, for their idolatry is not so great, nor their abomin…
This passage is the repeated concluding line from the prior letter section, restating Calvin’s complaint that opponents “call me to a charge” of annoyance and difficulty “in vain.”
those who have set this proposal afloat, had rather set some other stone a-rolling; for they call me to a charge of great annoyance and difficulty, and that in vain. [121] Is this John Le Comte, minister of Grauson, or Beat Comte, a minister of Lausanne, who at a later period devoted himself to medicine, and distinguished himself by his devotedness to the care of those who were affected with the plague in that…
In the same March 1544 exchange, Calvin dismisses Castalio’s mockery about his biblical defenses (Song of Solomon and the crucifixion wording), asks Viret not to interfere in the Sebastian dispute, and outlines two admonitions Castalio claimed.
[430] Sebastian Castalio. What Sebastian would be at I know not, in boasting that my friends are surprised and laugh at the thought of my adducing the forty-fifth psalm for the defence of the Song of Solomon, and since the descent of Christ to hell in the Creed is subjoined to the burial, bringing forward for the confirmation of my own interpretation, that expression which he uttered while hanging on the cross--My G…
Machiavelli advises that it is unwise for Appius to swing suddenly from seeming friend to becoming haughty and cruel; he argues a deceiver must change gradually to keep old support while gaining new. Appius’s rapid unmasking left him with no excuse and no allies, leading to his downfall.
Among the crafty devices used by Appius to aid him in maintaining his authority, this, of suddenly passing from one character to the other extreme, was of no small prejudice to him. For his fraud in pretending to the commons to be well disposed towards them, was happily contrived; as were also the means he took to bring about the reappointment of the decemvirate. Most skilful, too, was his audacity in nominating hims…
The narrator admits his teasing caused conflict: he used flattery to expose friends’ passions, staged situations to reveal defects, and orchestrated jokes to secure applause. Though claiming harmless motives, he finds everyone turns against him when the trick rebounds on himself.
that for many years I heard nothing but with design to tell it, and saw nothing with any other curiosity than after some failure that might furnish out a jest. My heart, indeed, acquits me of deliberate malignity, or interested insidiousness. I had no other purpose than to heighten the pleasure of laughter by communication, nor ever raised any pecuniary advantage from the calamities of others. I led weakness and n…
Continuing the moral warning, Johnson lists motives driving deceit and injury—money-love, envy of others’ success, and incompatible temper—and concludes that prudent distrust is necessary.
justice, is to launch on the wide ocean without the instruments of steerage, and to hope that every wind will be prosperous, and that every coast will afford a harbour. To enumerate the various motives to deceit and injury, would be to count all the desires that prevail among the sons of men; since there is no ambition however petty, no wish however absurd, that by indulgence will not be enabled to overpower the inf…
Leviculus first pursues Flavilla unsuccessfully, then courts Altilia and toys with her older-family wealth, later targets Latronia, but is nearly saved only by servants’ revelations of debts and final collapse of his prospects.
to his lodgings at midnight in a chair, told with negligence and jocularity of bilking a tailor, and now and then let fly a shrewd jest at a sober citizen. Thus furnished with irresistible artillery, he turned his batteries upon the female world, and, in the first warmth of self-approbation, proposed no less than the possession of riches and beauty united. He therefore paid his civilities to Flavilla, the only daug…
He describes a public break in his friendships: debating Byron versus Wordsworth with Roebuck at the debating society, widening a schism over the cultivation of feelings through imagination.
tastes. But unpoetical natures are precisely those which require poetic cultivation. This cultivation Wordsworth is much more fitted to give, than poets who are intrinsically far more poets than he. It so fell out that the merits of Wordsworth were the occasion of my first public declaration of my new way of thinking, and separation from those of my habitual companions who had not undergone a similar change. The per…
At a London tavern gathering, Johnson attacks figures like Swift and Dr. Mounsey, disputes Dr. Percy about alleged swearing, mocks Dr. Davies as an “informer,” and shows his social power through sharp wit.
was uttered in such a manner, that Dr. Percy seemed to be displeased, and soon afterwards left the company, of which Johnson did not at that time take any notice. Swift having been mentioned, Johnson, as usual, treated him with little respect as an authour. Some of us endeavoured to support the Dean of St. Patrick's by various arguments. One in particular praised his Conduct of the Allies. JOHNSON. 'Sir, his Conduct…
Boswell quotes Johnson’s respect for writers and intellectual status, including his defense of Goldsmith over Lord Camden, his criticism of “a little lawyer” being treated like a mere player’s equal, and Johnson’s strong protection of Garrick’s reputation.
The late Dr. Thomas Leland, told Mr. Courtenay, that when Mr. Edmund Burke shewed Johnson his fine house and lands near Beaconsfield, Johnson coolly said, 'Non equidem invideo; miror magis.'* * I am not entirely without suspicion that Johnson may have felt a little momentary envy; for no man loved the good things of this life better than he did and he could not but be conscious that he deserved a much…
Boswell remarks that within the Club, Hawkins was seen as overly dependent on others’ work and lacked original or poetic ability, contrasting Johnson’s capability with a view of him as merely a laborer.
at the Club looked on him as a mere literary drudge, equal to the task of compiling and translating, but little capable of original, and still less of poetical composition.' [1407] *Life of Johnson*, p. 425. BOSWELL. Hawkins is 'equally inaccurate' in saying' that Johnson was so constant at our meetings as never to absent himself.' (*Ib*. p. 424.) See *post*, Johnson's letter to Langton of March 9, 1766, where he sa…
The serpent shifts from mere disguise to active predation, admiring Eve while planning to destroy, then approaches with flattering “love” as the path to her ruin.
hate, not love; nor hope Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste Of pleasure; but all pleasure to destroy, Save what is in destroying; other joy To me is lost. Then, let me not let pass Occasion which now smiles; behold alone The woman, opportune to all attempts, Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, Whose higher intellectual more I shun, And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb Heroick built, though of …
Adam and Eve accuse each other over how Eve wandered and how Adam failed to restrain her, yet neither fully condemns herself, leaving their argument unresolved.
when earnestly they seek Such proof, conclude, they then begin to fail. To whom, soon moved with touch of blame, thus Eve. What words have passed thy lips, Adam severe! Imputest thou that to my default, or will Of wandering, as thou callest it, which who knows But might as ill have happened thou being by, Or to thyself perhaps? Hadst thou been there, Or here the attempt, thou couldst not have discerned Fraud in the S…
Hume argues that the pleasure from praise and the shock at contempt come from sympathy and the clash between natural passion and sentiments communicated by others, explaining why different reactions occur when others jest or oppose us.
the disagreeable reflection and comparison suggested only by his own thoughts, and never receives it by a sympathy with others; which must contribute very much to his ease and satisfaction. If there be any objections to this hypothesis, THAT THE PLEASURE, WHICH WE RECEIVE FROM PRAISE, ARISES FROM A COMMUNICATION OF SENTIMENTS, we shall find, upon examination, that these objections, when taken in a proper light, will…
He analyzes panegyrics of great men as mixing social-serving qualities with self-serving interests; even when friends excuse indolence, they condemn extreme versions, and people may rather admit crimes than certain business-impairing flaws.
that they were entirely destroyed. The imagination adheres to the general views of things, and distinguishes the feelings they produce, from those which arise from our particular and momentary situation. If we examine the panegyrics that are commonly made of great men, we shall find, that most of the qualities, which are attributed to them, may be divided into two kinds, viz. such as make them perform their part in …
He lists four abuses of speech—misregistering meanings, using metaphors to deceive, claiming false intentions, and using speech to harm rather than correct—then ties accurate remembrance to names and their connections.
Abuses Of Speech To these Uses, there are also foure correspondent Abuses. First, when men register their thoughts wrong, by the inconstancy of the signification of their words; by which they register for their conceptions, that which they never conceived; and so deceive themselves. Secondly, when they use words metaphorically; that is, in other sense than that they are ordained for; and thereby deceive others. Thir…
Scylla watches Minos from a tower and debates whether love justifies treason, then steals her father’s fatal lock, offers it to Minos as the “life” of her father, and is denied and later transforms into Ciris.
tower. And now, by the continuance of the hostilities, she had become acquainted with both the names of the chiefs, their arms, their horses, their dresses, and the Cydonean[5] quivers. Before the rest, she had observed the face of the chieftain, the son of Europa; even better than was enough for merely knowing him. In her opinion, Minos, whether it was that he had enclosed his head in a helm crested with feathers, …
As the old woman, Vertumnus urges Pomona to choose him over a thousand suitors, claims his constancy and shapeshifting powers, and appeals to fear of offended deities before promising a tale of persuasion.
thou dost avoid them courting thee, and dost turn away in disgust, a thousand suitors desire thee; both Demigod and Gods, and the Deities which inhabit the mountains of Alba. “But thou, if thou art wise, {and} if thou dost wish to make a good match, and to listen to an old woman, (who loves thee more than them all, and more than thou dost believe) despise a common alliance, and choose for thyself Vertumnus, as the p…
The Wife of Bath complains that her husbands are liars and chiders, then has an imagined rebuke where the husband blames women’s infidelity, spending, and wickedness.
the fair. They were full glad when that I spake them fair, For, God it wot, I *chid them spiteously.* *rebuked them angrily* Now hearken how I bare me properly. Ye wise wives, that can understand, Thus should ye speak, and *bear them wrong on hand,* *make them For half so boldely can there no man believe falsely* Swearen and lien as a woman can. (I say not this by wives that be wise, *But…
The Wife of Bath explains how she intentionally “made them believe” false accusations against her husbands, using deceit, teasing complaints, and bedroom bargaining to win and control.
thing that burnt will be. Thou sayest, right as wormes shend* a tree, *destroy Right so a wife destroyeth her husbond; This know they well that be to wives bond.” Lordings, right thus, as ye have understand, *Bare I stiffly mine old husbands on hand,* *made them believe* That thus they saiden in their drunkenness; And all was false, but that I took witness On Jenkin, and upon my niece also. O Lord! the pain…
The condemned knight searches for what women most desire, collects answers like wealth, honor, and flattery, and is guided to an old wife who grants him a hearing at court.
for to wend,* *depart And come again, right at the yeare’s end, With such answer as God would him purvey:* *provide And took his leave, and wended forth his way. He sought in ev’ry house and ev’ry place, Where as he hoped for to finde grace, To learne what thing women love the most: But he could not arrive in any coast, Where as he mighte find in this mattere Two creatures *according in fere.* *agr…
May visits Damian, who places a silk purse with his written wish in her hands; she hides it, tears the letter into fragments, and returns to January, feigning leaving until the two consummate again.
can.” And for that word him blessed every man, That of his bounty and his gentleness He woulde so comforten in sickness His squier, for it was a gentle deed. “Dame,” quoth this January, “take good heed, At after meat, ye with your women all (When that ye be in chamb’r out of this hall), That all ye go to see this Damian: Do him disport, he is a gentle man; And telle him that I will him visite, *Have I nothing but re…
May responds to January with vows about honour and faithfulness, then signals Damian to climb a fruit tree; the narrator leaves Damian hidden while January and May roam together, likely pretending the other man is absent.
may not, certes, though I shoulde die, Forbear to be out of your company, For very love; this is withoute doubt: Now kiss me, wife, and let us roam about.” This freshe May, when she these wordes heard, Benignely to January answer’d; But first and forward she began to weep: “I have,” quoth she, “a soule for to keep As well as ye, and also mine honour, And of my wifehood thilke* tender flow’r *tha…
In the Monk’s Tale prologue, the Host complains about his wife’s domineering temper, tries to flatter and tease the Monk, and asks him to tell a tale, promising polite attention.
ever I was shape* *destined To wed a milksop, or a coward ape, That will be overlad* with every wight! *imposed on Thou darest not stand by thy wife’s right.’ “This is my life, *but if* that I will fight; *unless And out at door anon I must me dight,* *betake myself Or elles I am lost, but if that I Be, like a wilde lion, fool-hardy. I wot well she will do* me slay some day …
The fox flatters Chanticleer to sing and wink on command, and Chanticleer, unable to detect treason, is seized by the throat and carried toward the wood while his wife ignores the dream.
But certain there is no comparison Betwixt the wisdom and discretion Of youre father, and his subtilty. Now singe, Sir, for sainte charity, Let see, can ye your father counterfeit?” This Chanticleer his wings began to beat, As man that could not his treason espy, So was he ravish’d with his flattery. Alas! ye lordes, many a false flattour* *flatterer <30> Is in your court, and many a losengeour, * …
The Host excuses the Cook’s delayed story, rebukes the Manciple for too openly reproving him, and then the Manciple tricks the Cook with a “gourd” draught of wine to cheer him up.
ye joust at the fan?<4> Thereto, me thinketh, ye be well y-shape. I trow that ye have drunken wine of ape,<5> And that is when men playe with a straw.” And with this speech the Cook waxed all wraw,* *wrathful And on the Manciple he gan nod fast For lack of speech; and down his horse him cast, Where as he lay, till that men him up took. This was a fair chevachie* of a cook: *cavalry exp…
Despair accuses Rosial of deceiving Philogenet, Hope counters, and allegorical figures Lust and Delight debate whether love is sin; surrounding characters like Liar and Flattery describe how deception and appearances govern lovers.
was of green, With *aureate seint* about her sides clean, *golden cincture* With divers stones, precious and rich: Thus was she ray’d,* yet saw I ne’er her lich,** *arrayed **like If Jove had but seen this lady, Calisto and Alcmena had never lain in his arms, nor had he loved the fair Europa, nor Danae, nor Antiope; “for all their beauty stood in Rosial; she seemed like a thing celestial.” By and by, Philogenet pres…