"Scholars, like princes, may learn something by being incognito. Yet we see those who cannot go into a bookseller's shop, or bear to be five minutes in a stage-coach, without letting you know who they are. They carry their reputation about with them as the snail does its shell, and sit under its canopy, like the lady in the lobster. I cannot understand this at all. What is the use of a man's always revolving round his own little circle? He must, one should think, be tired of it himself, as well as tire other people."
Table-Talk

January 1, 1970

Quote Details

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Added on April 10, 2026
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Original Language: English

Sources

On People With One Idea

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Table-Talk