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Yet still he fills affection's eye,
Obscurely wise, and coarsely kind.
Yet still he fills affection's eye,
Obscurely wise, and coarsely kind.
Like beauteous flowers which vainly waste their scent
Of odours in unhaunted deserts.
Like beauteous flowers which vainly waste their scent
Of odours in unhaunted deserts.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not read more
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
Yet was he but a squire of low degree.
Yet was he but a squire of low degree.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Obscurity and competence: That is the life that is worth living.
Obscurity and competence: That is the life that is worth living.
How often the highest talent lurks in obscurity.
[Lat., Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent!]
How often the highest talent lurks in obscurity.
[Lat., Ut saepe summa ingenia in occulto latent!]
It is better to be famous than notorious, but better to be notorious than obscure.
It is better to be famous than notorious, but better to be notorious than obscure.
Everybody is so talented nowadays that the only people I care to honour as deserving real distinction are those who read more
Everybody is so talented nowadays that the only people I care to honour as deserving real distinction are those who remain in obscurity.