“ a fool will ever grasp rather at the appearance than the reality of authority. ”
Walter Scott, Quentin Durward (1823). copy citation
| Author | Walter Scott |
|---|---|
| Source | Quentin Durward |
| Topic | appearance reality |
| Date | 1823 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7853/7853-h/7853-h.htm |
Context
“and he that weighs not his life against the gratification of a moment of impetuous passion will, on the same impulse, prefer the gratification of his will to the increase of his substantial power.”
“Most true,” replied the King; “a fool will ever grasp rather at the appearance than the reality of authority. And this I know to be true of Charles of Burgundy. But, my dear friend De Comines, what do you infer from these premises?”
“Simply this, my lord,” answered the Burgundian, “that as your Majesty has seen a skilful angler control a large and heavy fish, and finally draw him to land by a single hair, which fish had broke through a tackle tenfold stronger, had the fisher presumed to strain the line on him, instead of giving him head enough for all his wild flourishes;”
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