“ The indispensable quality for every young man in the present day—that is to say, for the next fifty years, during which time our terrors will last, and religion will not yet be firmly re-established—must be lack of intelligence and incapacity for all enthusiasm. ”
Stendhal, The Charterhouse of Parma (1839). copy citation
| Author | Stendhal |
|---|---|
| Source | The Charterhouse of Parma |
| Topic | intelligence religion |
| Date | 1839 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Mary Loyd |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/57638/57638-h/57638-h.htm |
Context
“For Fabrizio the military career would be like the life of a squirrel in a cage—constant movement and no advancement; he would have the vexation of seeing his services outweighed by those of any and every plebeian. The indispensable quality for every young man in the present day—that is to say, for the next fifty years, during which time our terrors will last, and religion will not yet be firmly re-established—must be lack of intelligence and incapacity for all enthusiasm. I have thought of one thing—but you will begin by crying out at the very idea—and it is a matter which would give me infinite trouble, that would last for many a day. Still, it is a folly that I am ready to commit for you—and tell me, if you can, what folly I would not commit for the sake of a smile from you? ””
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