There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Certain numbers were the same way and certain dates and these with the names of the places were all you could say and have them mean anything. Abstract words such as glory, honor, courage, or hallow were obscene beside the concrete names of villages, the numbers of roads, the names of rivers, the numbers of regiments and the dates.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker expresses a disillusionment with abstract concepts and a preference for concrete, tangible things. Words associated with vague ideals like glory, honor, courage, or hallow are dismissed as meaningless and profane. Instead, the speaker finds value and significance in specific places, numbers, and dates that can be directly experienced or quantified. These concrete elements carry weight and evoke authenticity in a world that has lost its sense of meaning and purpose.

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