Volume Ii Part 28 (1/2)

330.

INFLUENCE A PHANTOM, NOT A REALITY.-The man of mark gradually learns that so far as he has influence he is a phantom in other brains, and perhaps he falls into a state of subtle vexation of soul, in which he asks himself whether he must not maintain this phantom of himself for the benefit of his fellow-men.

331.

GIVING AND TAKING.-When one takes away (or antic.i.p.ates) the smallest thing that another possesses, the latter is blind to the fact that he has been given something greater, nay, even the greatest thing.

332.

GOOD PLOUGHLAND.-All rejection and negation betoken a deficiency in fertility. If we were good ploughland, we should allow nothing to be unused or lost, and in every thing, event, or person we should welcome manure, rain, or suns.h.i.+ne.

333.

INTERCOURSE AS AN ENJOYMENT.-If a man renounces the world and intentionally lives in solitude, he may come to regard intercourse with others, which he enjoys but seldom, as a special delicacy.

334.

TO KNOW HOW TO SUFFER IN PUBLIC.-We must advertise our misfortunes and from time to time heave audible sighs and show visible marks of impatience. For if we could let others see how a.s.sured and happy we are in spite of pain and privation, how envious and ill-tempered they would become at the sight!-But we must take care not to corrupt our fellow-men; besides, if they knew the truth, they would levy a heavy toll upon us. At any rate our public misfortune is our private advantage.

335.

WARMTH ON THE HEIGHTS.-On the heights it is warmer than people in the valleys suppose, especially in winter. The thinker recognises the full import of this simile.

336.