The Genial Idiot: His Views and Reviews

The Genial Idiot: His Views and Reviews

GOOD! cried the Idiot, from behind the voluminous folds of the magazine section of his Sunday newspaper. Heres a man after my own heart. Professor Duff, of Glasgow University, has come out with a public statement that the maxims and proverbs of our forefathers are largely hocus-pocus and buncombe. Ive always maintained that myself from the moment I had my first copy-book lesson in which I had to scrawl the line, Its a long lane that has no turning, twenty-four times. And then that other absurd statement, A stitch in the side is worth two in the handor something[4] like itI forget just how it goeswhat Tommy-rot that is. Well, I dont know about that, Mr. Idiot, said Mr. Whitechoker, tapping his fingers together reflectively. Certain great moral principles are instilled into the minds of the young by the old proverbs and maxims that remain with them forever, and become a potent influence in the formation of character. I should like to agree with you, but I cant, said the Idiot. I dont believe anything that is noble in the way of character was ever fostered by such a statement as that its a long lane that has no turning. In the first place, it isnt necessarily true. I know a lane on my grandfathers farm that led from the hen-coop to the barn. There wasnt a turn nor a twist in it, and I know by actual measurement that it wasnt sixty feet long. Youve got just as much right to say to a boy that its a long nose that has no twisting, or a long leg that has no pulling, or a long courtship that has no kissing. Theres infinitely more truth in[5] those last two than in the original model. The leg thats never pulled doesnt go short in a stringent financial market, and a courtship without a kiss, even if it lasted only five minutes, would be too long for any self-respecting lover. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 35302
Author: Bangs, John Kendrick
Release Date: Feb 17, 2011
Format: eBook
Language: English