Monday, November 5, 2012

Carlyle on Blogging

"If the young aspirant is not rich enough for Parliament, and is deterred by the basilisks or otherwise from entering on Law or Church, and cannot altogether reduce his human intellect to the beaverish condition, or satisfy himself with the prospect of making money, - what becomes of him in such case, which is naturally the case of very many, and ever of more? In such case there remains but one outlet for him, and notably enough that too is a talking one: the outlet of Literature, of trying to write Books.  since, owing to preliminary basilisks, want of cash, or superiority to cash,  he cannot mount aloft by eloquent talking, let him try it by dexterous eloquent writing. Here happily, having three fingers, and capital to buy a quire of paper, he can try at all lengths and in spite of all mortals: in this career there is happily no public impediment that can turn back; nothing but private impediment that can turn him back; nothing but private starvation... To the British subject who fancies genius may be lodged in him, this liberty remains; and truly it is, if well computed, almost the only one he has.
   A crowded portal this of Literature, accordingly!..."

Thomas Carlyle, Latter-day Pamphlets - "Stump-Orator." 1850

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Those who can't, teach. No?

Ernie Swivel