“ I was quite determined to conquer myself, and leave no means untried to change my foolish passion into a pure and lasting friendship. ”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Confessions (1782). copy citation
Author | Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
---|---|
Source | Confessions |
Topic | friendship passion |
Date | 1782 |
Language | English |
Reference | |
Note | Translated by Samuel William Orson |
Weblink | https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Confessions_(Rousseau) |
Context
“At this I was as much surprised as if it had not been what I ought to have expected; it affected me more than it ought to have done, and did me considerable harm. It seemed that everything from which I expected a cure, still plunged deeper into my heart the dart, which I at length broke in rather than draw out.
I was quite determined to conquer myself, and leave no means untried to change my foolish passion into a pure and lasting friendship. For this purpose I had formed the finest projects in the world; for the execution of which the concurrence of Madam d' Houdetot was necessary. When I wished to speak to her I found her absent and embarrassed; I perceived I was no longer agreeable to her, and that something had passed which she would not communicate to me, and which I have never yet known.” source
I was quite determined to conquer myself, and leave no means untried to change my foolish passion into a pure and lasting friendship. For this purpose I had formed the finest projects in the world; for the execution of which the concurrence of Madam d' Houdetot was necessary. When I wished to speak to her I found her absent and embarrassed; I perceived I was no longer agreeable to her, and that something had passed which she would not communicate to me, and which I have never yet known.” source