One learns little more about a man from his feats of literary memory than from the feats of his alimentary canal.

Summary

This quote suggests that a person's ability to recall vast amounts of information or showcase intellectual prowess (feats of literary memory) does not necessarily reveal much about their true character or essence. Just as knowing about someone's digestion (feats of the alimentary canal) does not provide profound insights into who they are as a person. It implies that true understanding of an individual goes beyond superficial or external achievements, emphasizing the importance of looking deeper into their values, actions, and relationships to gain a comprehensive understanding.

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