We
possess a wonderful richness and variety of modified meanings in our Saxon
and Latin quasi-synonymes, which the Germans have not. For "the pomp and
_prodigality_ of Heaven," the Germans must have said "_the
spendthriftness_."[1] Shakspeare is particularly happy in his use of the
Latin synonymes, and in distinguishing between them and the Saxon.
[Footnote 1: _Verschwendung_, I suppose.--ED.]
* * * * *
That is the most excellent state of society in which the patriotism of the
citizen ennobles, but does not merge, the individual energy of the man.
September 1. 1832.
GREAT MINDS ANDROGYNOUS.--PHILOSOPHER'S ORDINARY
LANGUAGE.
In chemistry and nosology, by extending the degree to a certain point, the
constituent proportion may be destroyed, and a new kind produced.
* * * * *
I have known _strong_ minds with imposing, undoubting, Cobbett-like
manners, but I have never met a _great_ mind of this sort. And of the
former, they are at least as often wrong as right. The truth is, a great
mind must be androgynous. Great minds--Swedenborg's for instance--are never
wrong but in consequence of being in the right, but imperfectly.
* * * * *
A philosopher's ordinary language and admissions, in general conversation
or writings _ad populum_, are as his watch compared with his astronomical
timepiece.
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