“in the whole world, that day, there was not a more entirely unimportant-looking pair of people than this Miner and his Wife. And yet what were all Emperors, Popes and Potentates, in comparison? There was born here, once more, a Mighty Man; whose light was to flame as the beacon over long centuries and epochs of the world; the whole world and its history was waiting for this man. It is strange, it is great.”

— Thomas Carlyle

1840s, Heroes and Hero-Worship (1840), The Hero as Priest

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Thomas Carlyle 481

Scottish philosopher, satirical writer, essayist, historian… 1795–1881

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