The difference between an icicle and a red-hot poker is really much slighter than the difference between truth and falsehood or sense and nonsense; yet it is much more immediately noticeable and much more universally noticed, because the body is more sensitive than the mind.

Summary

This quote emphasizes that although the differences between concepts like truth and falsehood, or sense and nonsense, are bigger and more significant, they are often less perceptible compared to physical differences. While the contrast between an icicle and a red-hot poker is small, it is quickly noticeable and universally recognized because our bodies are more sensitive to physical sensations than intellectual distinctions. The quote sheds light on our tendency to prioritize immediate and tangible experiences over more abstract or intangible ideas.