We falsely attribute to men a determined character -- putting together all their yesterdays -- and averaging them -- we presume we know them. Pity the man who has character to support -- it is worse than a large family -- he is the silent poor indeed.

Summary

This quote by T.S. Eliot conveys a critique of our tendency to oversimplify and generalize people based on their past actions. Eliot argues that by assuming we know someone's true character from their past alone, we rob them of their complexity and individuality. Moreover, he suggests that possessing a strong and consistent character can be burdensome, placing the individual in a vulnerable position where they are silently unrecognized and unsupported. The quote emphasizes the importance of embracing the intricacies of people's being rather than reducing them to oversimplified judgments.

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