‘If you were to try and were to put your feet on the water, where would
you go?’
‘To hell, teacher.’
The association of the question, ‘Where would you go?’ was too strong.
* * * * *
This sunset, which is common to the whole county, is more to me than
anything exclusively mine.
* * * * *
If emotion be profound, symbolism, as a means of expression, is
indispensable.
* * * * *
There would be no objection to ‘telling the truth’ about Burns, Byron,
and Shelley if it could be told. But it cannot be told. We are informed
that they did this or that, and the thing they did is to us what it would
be if done by ourselves.
* * * * *
We are most vain of that which is least ourselves, of that which is
acquired, put on, stuck in. It is not correct to say that a woman is
vain of her beauty.
* * * * *
Controversy is demoralising. Never suffer yourself to become an
advocate. Never rely on controversy to convince. Say what you have to
say and leave it. _Do_ it if you wish to persuade.
* * * * *
People are often unkind, not from malignity, but from ineptitude.
* * * * *
It is of the greatest importance continually to bear in mind that the
violation of a law personal to myself is as immoral as the violation of a
general law, and may be more mischievous.
* * * * *
To die is easy when we are in perfect health. On a fine spring morning,
out of doors, on the downs, mind and body sound and exhilarated, it would
be nothing to lie down on the turf and pass away.
* * * * *
What we want is wise counsel on particular occasions. Principles we can
get by the bushel anywhere. The reason why our friends are so useless is
that they will not take trouble. The selection and the application of
the principle are difficult.
* * * * *
It is terrible to live with a person who has a strong, narrow sense of
duty without further-reaching thought or love by which the rigidity of
duty may be softened.
* * * * *
By the third, which is neither ourselves nor the object, do we recognise
it. The third is the celestial light.
* * * * *
It is appalling to reflect that there are enormous masses of human energy
which can find no proper outlet. The consequence is mischief either
through expression in any direction and at any cost, or through
suppression. We want an organisation of energy, one of the noblest
offices of a true church.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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