Of all the barbarous middle ages, that which is most barbarous is the middle age of man! it is -- I really scarce know what; but when we hover between fool and sage, and don't know justly what we would be at -- a period something like a printed page, black letter upon foolscap, while our hair grows grizzled, and we are not what we were.

Summary

This quote suggests that the most barbaric and chaotic period in history is not the literal Middle Ages, but rather the stage of life when individuals are in a state of uncertainty and confusion, neither fully foolish nor wise. It compares this phase to a page with outdated font, representing the process of aging as one loses their youthful vigor and becomes unfamiliar to themselves.

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