Sunday, January 24, 2010

Humility

Subject: Humility and Brotherhood
Quote:  “For when you say, ‘I am not as other men’—you have lost the two most valuable qualities we have ever tried to attain: --humility and brotherhood.”
Character:  Mr. Dakin
Chapter/Story:  14
Book Title/Copyright: They Came to Baghdad, 1951


Subject:  Humility
Quote:  “It is, perhaps, that absorption in one’s personal life that has led the human race to survive…. It is…a form of humility.  And humility is valuable.  There was a slogan that was written up in your Underground railways here…during the war.  ‘It all depends on you.’… in my opinion it was a dangerous and undesirable doctrine.  For it is not true.  Everything does not depend on, say, Mrs. Blank of Little-Blank-in-the-Marsh.  And if she is led to think it does, it will not be good for her character.  While she thinks of the part she can play in world affairs, the baby pulls over the kettle.”
Character:  M. Hercule Poirot
Chapter/Story:  3
Book Title/Copyright:  Dead Man’s Folly, 1956