"Intuition, madam," replied Johnson, "means the mental view; as
you use it you mean a very quick and accurate mental view, followed
immediately by an unconscious but correct process of deduction. The
combination of the two, when they are nicely adjusted, constitutes
a kind of judgment which, though it be not always so correct in its
conclusions, as that exercised by ordinary logic, has nevertheless
the advantage of quickness combined with tolerable precision. For,
in matters of love, it is necessary to be quick."
"Who sups with the devil must have a long spoon," said Francis,
laughing.
"And he who hopes to entertain an angel must keep his house clean,"
returned the doctor.
"Do you believe that people always fall in love very quickly?"
asked Lady Brenda.
"Frequently, though not always. Love dominates quite as much
because its attacks are sudden and unexpected, as because most
persons believe that to be in love is a desirable state."
"Love," said Cæsar, "is a great general and a great strategist, for
he rarely fails to surprise the enemy if he can, but he never
refuses an open engagement when necessary."
[1]
"_Cola diritto, sopra il verde smalto
mi fur moetrati gli spiriti magni
che del verderli in me stesso 'n esalto_"
--INFERNO.
Strange as it may appear, it does not seem to be so much of a descent,
or of a break in the chain of continuity, to turn to hear William James
speak in letters, which have the effect of conversation. From the very
beginning of his precious book I somehow feel that I am part of the
little circle about him. The conversation goes on--Mr. James never loses
sight of the point of view and sympathies of the party of the second
part--and you are not made to feel as an eavesdropper.
Standing on the ladder, unhappily a rather shaky ladder, to put back
"With the Immortals" on the shelf, I pass Wells's great novel of
"Marriage," which I would clutch to read again, if I had not already
begun this Letter of James--written to his wife:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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