The burning of rebellious thoughts in the little breast, of internal hatred and opposition, could not long go on without slight whiffs of external smoke, such as mark the course of subterranean fire.

Summary

This quote suggests that repressing rebellious thoughts and internal resistance eventually leads to the emergence of subtle external signs of dissent. Just like a fire burning underground produces wisps of smoke before erupting, the suppression of one's true feelings and opposition will eventually manifest in observable behaviors. The quote implies that the suppression of dissenting thoughts and emotions is not a sustainable solution, as they will eventually find expression in one form or another.

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