game of consequences
to which we all sit down, the …
hanger-back not least
Books were the proper remedy:
books of vivid human import,
forcing upon their minds the issues,
pleasures,
business,
importance
and immediacy of that life in which they stand;
books of smiling or heroic temper,
to excite or to console;
books of a large design,
shadowing the complexity of that game of consequences to which we all sit down,
the hanger-back not least.
From the article. Old Mortality by Robert Louis Stevenson in Longman’s Magazine,1884 May.
Longman’s Magazine was first published in November 1882 by C. J. Longman, publisher of Longmans, Green & Co. of London. It superseded Fraser’s Magazine (published 1830 to 1882). A total of 276 monthly issues had been published when the last number came out in October 1905.
Longman’s focused on fiction, debuting work by James Payn, Margaret Oliphant, Thomas Hardy, Henry James, Edith Nesbit, Frank Anstey, Robert Louis Stevenson, H. Rider Haggard, Rudyard Kipling, Walter Besant, and others.
According to the Quote Investigator, Robert Louis Stevenson (of Treasure Island fame) did say, books of a large design, shadowing the complexity of that game of consequences to which we all sit down.
Mr. Stevenson DID NOT SAY “Sooner or Later We All Sit Down To the Banquet of Consequences“.
While I like the warning of Sooner or Later We All Sit Down To the Banquet of Consequences, I really like that the original quote, books of a large design, shadowing the complexity of that game of consequences to which we all sit down includes that final bit of the hanger-back not least.
When Mr. Lincoln talked in this vein, he wrote in his 1862 message to Congress, We … will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation.
I thought of the column Republicans, you own Trump’s racist video about the Obamas where Rex Hupke said: You don’t get to express allegiance to Trump and then casually step aside when something like this happens. You own it. It is what you are supporting.
To recap:
You don’t get to express allegiance to Trump and then casually step aside when something like this happens.
You own it. It is what you are supporting.
We will be remembered in spite of ourselves.
No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us.
Sooner or later we all sit down to the banquet of consequences
That game of consequences to which we all sit down.
The hanger-back not least.
As it says in the Bible (Matthew 11:15) …
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
No Haiku For You 