Another proud member of the irony-based community.
I could never divide my selfe from any man upon the difference of an opinion, or be angry with his judgement for not agreeing with mee in that, from which perhaps within a few dayes I should dissent my selfe.—Religio Medici, I.6. (Via.)
"Mysterious Jackson area lawyer's blog about history, literature, and whatever irks him." -- NMC
"Just a hypersensitive pantywaist probably of Gallic descent who still suffers nightmares over what Gaius Julius did to your people 2,000 years ago." -- Kingfish
And therefore, reader, I myself am the subject of my book; it is not reasonable that you should employ your leisure on a topic so frivolous and so vain.
-- Montaigne, Essays, "To the Reader.""I shall see myself, I shall read myself, I shall go into ecstacies, and I shall ask -- Is it possible that I have so much ésprit?"
-- Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols.... the torturer has become – like the pirate and slave trader before him – hostis humani generis, an enemy of all mankind.
-- Filártiga v. Peña-Irala, 630 F.2d 876, 890 (2d Cir. 1980)
Have you now adopted this as your mission statement?
ReplyDeleteAlas, I lack Browne's purity of heart, but it's a nice maxim to contemplate, and perhaps even remember to apply from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI confess I was not aware of his works as a writer but I did come across his name in a book about the witch trials in England where he was very important in lending a legal atmosphere to support these trials. I wonder if he ever had 2nd thoughts?JL
ReplyDeleteSounds just like Mitt Romney. "Don't hold me to that opinion; I'll change it in a few days anyway."
ReplyDeleteExcept of course that Romney delights in attacking other people for *their* beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI actually had the opportunity to use this quote today (paraphrased, but dutifully attributed, both to originator and you). Very insightful and one more of us should embrace.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anderson: This is one of the reasons I truly enjoy this blog.
Razor
Well, thanks, Razor. One of the blog's slogans used to be "the debris of a liberal-arts education."
ReplyDelete