“ that seems as if a man could not see his own hand by means of the candle which he holds, and which shows him every other object in the apartment. ”
Walter Scott, Quentin Durward (1823). copy citation
| Author | Walter Scott |
|---|---|
| Source | Quentin Durward |
| Topic | light insight |
| Date | 1823 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/7853/7853-h/7853-h.htm |
Context
“«It often happens that those who are gifted with prophetic knowledge,» answered Louis, with much gravity, «have not the power of foreseeing those events in which they themselves are personally interested.»
«Under your Majesty's favour,» replied the confidant, «that seems as if a man could not see his own hand by means of the candle which he holds, and which shows him every other object in the apartment.»
«He cannot see his own features by the light which shows the faces of others,» replied Louis; «and that is the more faithful illustration of the case.—But this is foreign to my purpose at present.” source
«Under your Majesty's favour,» replied the confidant, «that seems as if a man could not see his own hand by means of the candle which he holds, and which shows him every other object in the apartment.»
«He cannot see his own features by the light which shows the faces of others,» replied Louis; «and that is the more faithful illustration of the case.—But this is foreign to my purpose at present.” source
Meaning and analysis
