
“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity”
July 28, 1763, p. 128
On Thomas Sheridan
Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Vol I
“Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity”
Source: The Outermost House: A Year of Life On The Great Beach of Cape Cod
The Caesars (c. 361)
Context: "It is the season of the Kronia, during which the god allows us to make merry. But, my dear friend, as I have no talent for amusing or entertaining I must methinks take pains not to talk mere nonsense."
"But, Caesar, can there be anyone so dull and stupid as to take pains over jesting? I always thought that such pleasantries were a relaxation of the mind and a relief from pains and cares."
"Yes, and no doubt your view is correct, but that is not how the matter strikes me. For by nature I have no turn for raillery, or parody, or raising a laugh."
Variant: To the illuminated mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.
“So living Nature, not dull Art,
Shall plan my ways and rule my heart.”
Nature and Art http://www.newmanreader.org/works/verses/verse5.html, st. 12 (1868).
On the poetry of Myōe and ideas of Saigyō Hōshi
Japan, the Beautiful and Myself (1969)
“I find we are growing serious, and then we are in great danger of being dull.”
Act II, scene vii
The Old Bachelor (1693)
“Are you slow-witted? I'm so sorry for you. It's terrible to be dull and stupid.”
Source: The Book of Three