Volume Ii Part 32 (2/2)

A DEFECTIVE EAR.-”We still belong to the mob so long as we always s.h.i.+ft the blame on to others; we are on the track of wisdom when we always make ourselves alone responsible; but the wise man finds no one to blame, neither himself nor others.”-Who said that? Epictetus, eighteen hundred years ago.-The world has heard but forgotten the saying.-No, the world has not heard and not forgotten it: everything is not forgotten. But we had not the necessary ear, the ear of Epictetus.-So he whispered it into his own ear?-Even so: wisdom is the whispering of the sage to himself in the crowded market-place.

387.

A DEFECT OF STANDPOINT, NOT OF VISION.-We always stand a few paces too near ourselves and a few paces too far from our neighbour. Hence we judge him too much in the lump, and ourselves too much by individual, occasional, insignificant features and circ.u.mstances.

388.

IGNORANCE ABOUT WEAPONS.-How little we care whether another knows a subject or not!-whereas he perhaps sweats blood at the bare idea that he may be considered ignorant on the point. Yes, there are exquisite fools, who always go about with a quiverful of mighty, excommunicatory utterances, ready to shoot down any one who shows freely that there are matters in which their judgment is not taken into account.

389.

AT THE DRINKING-TABLE OF EXPERIENCE.-People whose innate moderation leads them to drink but the half of every gla.s.s, will not admit that everything in the world has its lees and sediment.

390.

SINGING-BIRDS.-The followers of a great man often put their own eyes out, so that they may be the better able to sing his praise.

391.

BEYOND OUR KEN.-The good generally displeases us when it is beyond our ken.

392.

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