Then there is that glorious Epicurean paradox, uttered by my
friend, the Historian in one of his flashing moments: read more

Then there is that glorious Epicurean paradox, uttered by my
friend, the Historian in one of his flashing moments: "Give us
the luxuries of life, and we will dispense with its necessaries."

For thence,--a paradox
Which comforts while it mocks,--
Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail:
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For thence,--a paradox
Which comforts while it mocks,--
Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail:
What I aspired to be,
And was not, comforts me:
A brute I might have been, but would not sink i' the scale.

You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair.

You undergo too strict a paradox,
Striving to make an ugly deed look fair.

The mind begins to boggle at unnatural substances as things
paradoxical and incomprehensible.

The mind begins to boggle at unnatural substances as things
paradoxical and incomprehensible.