“ Men are cowards, sir, and are driven by fear as the sovereign motive. ”
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., The Poet at the Breakfast-Table (1872). copy citation
| Author | Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. |
|---|---|
| Source | The Poet at the Breakfast-Table |
| Topic | fear motive |
| Date | 1872 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2666/2666-h/2666-h.htm |
Context
““daemons” which the good people of Gloucester fired at, and were fired at by “for the best part of a month together” in the year 1692, the great showman would have him at any cost for his museum or menagerie. Men are cowards, sir, and are driven by fear as the sovereign motive. Men are idolaters, and want something to look at and kiss and hug, or throw themselves down before; they always did, they always will; and if you don't make it of wood, you must make it of words, which are just as much used for idols as promissory notes are used for values.”
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