"But the properties of the mind elude the frail laws of hereditary descent, and own no sort of obedience to their authority"
— Richardson, Joseph (1755-1803)
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Debrett [etc.]
Date
1792
Metaphor
"But the properties of the mind elude the frail laws of hereditary descent, and own no sort of obedience to their authority"
Metaphor in Context
MR. WINGROVE
How powerful is the influence of prejudice. My reason convinces me that there is no other just criterion for deciding upon the merits of men, but such as grows out of their own personal good or ill properties. If it were true, that the qualities of the parent were transmitted to the progeny, then, indeed, it might be as necessary to establish the genealogy of a man, as to ascertain the pedigree of a horse. But the properties of the mind elude the frail laws of hereditary descent, and own no sort of obedience to their authority-- How is it, then, that with this distinct light before me, I cannot help falling into my father's prejudices:--I feel them to be unjust; I know them to be absurd: and yet, unjust and absurd as they are, they influence my conduct in spite of me.-- I love my sister--I know her affections are engaged to Young Manly--I am satisfied he is worthy of her--Yet I am adverse to the match, and conspire with my father in throwing every obstacle in the way of its completion, and in favour of whom? Of Lord Dartford, a man void of feeling, sentiment, or sincerity--uniting in him every contradiction of depravity; cold, gay, ostentatious, and interested--But he is a man of birth--Despicable distinction.
How powerful is the influence of prejudice. My reason convinces me that there is no other just criterion for deciding upon the merits of men, but such as grows out of their own personal good or ill properties. If it were true, that the qualities of the parent were transmitted to the progeny, then, indeed, it might be as necessary to establish the genealogy of a man, as to ascertain the pedigree of a horse. But the properties of the mind elude the frail laws of hereditary descent, and own no sort of obedience to their authority-- How is it, then, that with this distinct light before me, I cannot help falling into my father's prejudices:--I feel them to be unjust; I know them to be absurd: and yet, unjust and absurd as they are, they influence my conduct in spite of me.-- I love my sister--I know her affections are engaged to Young Manly--I am satisfied he is worthy of her--Yet I am adverse to the match, and conspire with my father in throwing every obstacle in the way of its completion, and in favour of whom? Of Lord Dartford, a man void of feeling, sentiment, or sincerity--uniting in him every contradiction of depravity; cold, gay, ostentatious, and interested--But he is a man of birth--Despicable distinction.
Categories
Provenance
Searching "law" and "mind" in HDIS (Drama)
Date of Entry
04/25/2005
