"[Their manner of living with their guest is easy and affable] As soon as they arise from sleep, which they generally protract till late in the day, they bathe, usually in warm water, as cold weather chiefly prevails there. After bathing they take their meal, each on a distinct seat, and a a separate table. Then they proceed, armed, to business, and not less frequently to convivial parties, in which it is no disgrace to pass days and nights, without intermission, in drinking. The frequent quarrels that arise amongst them, when intoxicated, seldom terminate in abusive language, but more frequently in blood. In their feasts, they generally deliberate on the reconcilement of enemies, on family alliances, on the appointment of chiefs, and finally on peace and war; conceiving that at no time the soul is more opened to sincerity, or warmed to heroism. These people, naturally void of artifice or disguise, disclose the most secret emotions of their hearts in the freedom of festivity. The minds of all being thus displayed without reserve, the subjects of their deliberation are again canvassed the next day; and each time has its advantages. They consult when unable to dissemble; they determine when not liable to mistake."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
§ 22
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Germanic_peoples
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Germanic peoples
22 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Germanic peoples →
Related Quotes
"It is well known that none of the German nations inhabit cities; or even admit of contiguous settlements. They dwell …"
"For five successive days from that day, Caesar drew out his forces before the camp, and put them in battle order, tha…"
"The whole of the shores of this sea [the Northern Ocean] as far as the Scaldis, a river of Germany, is inhabited by n…"
"In the Rhine itself, nearly 100 miles in length, is the most famous island of the Batavi and the Canninefates, as als…"
"Germany is separated from Gaul, Rhaetia, and Pannonia by the rivers Rhine and Danube; from Sarmatia and Dacia by moun…"
"The people of Germany appear to me indigenous, and free from intermixture with foreigners, either as settlers or casu…"
"The land, though varied to a considerable extent in its aspect, is yet universally shagged with forests, or deformed …"
"In the election of kings they have regard to birth; in that of generals, to valor. Their kings have not an absolute o…"
"No people are more addicted to divination by omens and lots. The latter is performed in the following simple manner. …"
"The Garonne separates the Gauls from the Aquitani; the Marne and the Seine separate them from the Belgae. Of all thes…"