A Frenchman is self-assured because he regards himself personally, both in mind and body, as irresistibly attractive to men and women. An Englishman is self-assured, as being a citizen of the best-organized state in the world, and therefore as an Englishman always knows what he should do and knows that all he does as an Englishman is undoubtedly correct. An Italian is self-assured because he is excitable and easily forgets himself and other people. A Russian is self-assured just because he knows nothing and does not want to know anything, since he does not believe that anything can be known. The German's self-assurance is worst of all, stronger and more repulsive than any other, because he imagines that he knows the truth--science--which he himself has invented but which is for him the absolute truth.
--War and Peace
Book IX, chapter 10
Recent Blog Entries
Recent Forum Topics
Recent Comments
hi,Im 15 and I think that it would be scarie to go to peaples houses. How can I be brave enough to do somehting like this so I can make some moneyto help my mom. You seem really smart and I like to read your things because they are really smart and I hopeone day I can be really smart to. I liked your stuff on the books you must read alot, do you go the library. I like the library but I cant take books home because I need a card. How do I get a card, i need to find out so i can read more like you. K I gotta go helpmy mom cus she is sick and the docters aren't sure if she will get to see my school play. Thanks you, Frankie