"They [sense, imagination, and passion] are no more than the several Species of simple Colours laid, as it were, upon the Pallet; which, variously combined and associated by the Hand of an experienced Master, would indeed call forth every striking Resemblance, every changeful Feature of the Heart of Man."

— Brown, John (1715-1766)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
C. Davis
Date
1751
Metaphor
"They [sense, imagination, and passion] are no more than the several Species of simple Colours laid, as it were, upon the Pallet; which, variously combined and associated by the Hand of an experienced Master, would indeed call forth every striking Resemblance, every changeful Feature of the Heart of Man."
Metaphor in Context
There are, besides these, an endless Variety of Characters formed from the various Combinations of these essential Ingredients [sense, imagination, passion]; which are not designed as a full Expression of all the Tempers of Mankind: They are the Materials only, out of which these Characters are formed. They are no more than the several Species of simple Colours laid, as it were, upon the Pallet; which, variously combined and associated by the Hand of an experienced Master, would indeed call forth every striking Resemblance, every changeful Feature of the Heart of Man.
(pp. 185-6)
Citation
John Brown, Essays on the Characteristics, 2nd ed. (London: C. Davis, 1751)
Theme
As it Were
Date of Entry
07/26/2011

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.