Quote by Henry David Thoreau
After all the field of battle possesses many advantages over the drawing-room. There at least is no room for pretension or excessive ceremony, no shaking of hands or rubbing of noses, which make one doubt your sincerity, but hearty as well as hard hand-play. It at least exhibits one of the faces of humanity, the former only a mask.
Summary
This quote highlights the contrast between the field of battle and the drawing-room as spaces that reflect different aspects of human nature. It suggests that the field of battle is characterized by raw physicality and sincerity, where pretense and artificial social norms are absent. This environment promotes genuine interactions due to the absence of formalities and forces individuals to confront and display their true selves. In contrast, the drawing-room represents a facade where people wear masks of politeness and insincere gestures, making it difficult to discern their true intentions or character.
Topics
Conflict
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