"I know the feelings of my heart."

Oct 12, 2004 17:21

"I am a [wo]man of very strong passions, and, while I am stirred by them, nothing can equal my impetuosity; I forget all discretion, all feelings of respect, fear and decency; I am cynical, impudent, violent and fearless; no feeling of shame keeps me back, no danger frightens me; with the exception of the single object which occupies my thoughts, the universe is nothing to me. But all this lasts only for a moment, and the following moment plunges me into complete annihilation. In my calmer moments I am indolence and timidity myself; everything frightens and discourages me; a fly, buzzing past, harms me; a word which I have to say, a gesture which I have to make, terrifies my idleness; fear and shame overpower me to such an extent that I would gladly hide myself from the sight of my fellow-creatures. If I have to act, I do not know what to do; if I have to speak, I do not know what to say; if anyone looks at me, I am put out of countenance. When I am strongly moved I sometimes know how to find the right words, but in ordinary conversation I can find absolutely nothing, and my condition is unbearable for the simple reason that I am obliged to speak...I worship freedom. I abhor restraint, trouble, dependence."

~The Confessions, Book I
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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I couldn't have said it any better. You know Jean-Jacques, we are of kindred spirits. Great minds really do think alike. :)

whatnots

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