"But the greatest imperfection is in our inward sight, that is, to be Ghosts unto our own Eyes, and while we are so sharpsighted as to look thorough others, to be invisible to our selves; for the inward Eyes are more fallacious than the outward."
— Browne, Sir Thomas (1605-1682)
Work Title
Place of Publication
Cambridge
Publisher
Printed at the University-Press, for Cornelius Crownfield Printer to the University
Date
1716
Metaphor
"But the greatest imperfection is in our inward sight, that is, to be Ghosts unto our own Eyes, and while we are so sharpsighted as to look thorough others, to be invisible to our selves; for the inward Eyes are more fallacious than the outward."
Metaphor in Context
[...] But the greatest imperfection is in our inward sight, that is, to be Ghosts unto our own Eyes, and while we are so sharpsighted as to look thorough others, to be invisible to our selves; for the inward Eyes are more fallacious than the outward. The Vices we scoff at in others laugh at us within our selves. Avarice, Pride, Falshood lye undiscerned and blindly in us, even to the Age of blindness: and therefore, to see our selves interiourly, we are fain to borrow other Mens Eyes; wherein true Friends are good Informers, and Censurers no bad Friends. Conscience only, that can see without Light, sits in the Areopagy and dark Tribunal of our Hearts, surveying our Thoughts and condemning their obliquities. [...]
(p. 101)
(p. 101)
Categories
Provenance
Reading
Citation
At least 4 entries in ESTC (1716, 1723, 1756, 1761).
Christian Morals, by Sr Thomas Brown, of Norwich, M. D. and Author of Religio Medici. Published from the Original and Correct Manuscript of the Author; by John Jeffery, D. D. Arch-Deacon of Norwich. (Cambridge: Printed at the University-Press, for Cornelius Crownfield Printer to the University; and are to be sold by Mr. Knapton at the Crown in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; and Mr. Morphew near Stationers-Hall, London, 1716). <Link to ESTC>
Christian Morals, by Sr Thomas Brown, of Norwich, M. D. and Author of Religio Medici. Published from the Original and Correct Manuscript of the Author; by John Jeffery, D. D. Arch-Deacon of Norwich. (Cambridge: Printed at the University-Press, for Cornelius Crownfield Printer to the University; and are to be sold by Mr. Knapton at the Crown in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; and Mr. Morphew near Stationers-Hall, London, 1716). <Link to ESTC>
Date of Entry
07/10/2014
