Tuesday, March 10, 2009

marginalia

"The great intellectual tradition that comes down to us from the past was never interrupted or lost through such trifles as the sack of Rome, the triumph of Attila, or all the barbarian invasions of the Dark Ages. It was lost after the introduction of printing, the discovery of America, the coming of the marvels of technology, the establishment of universal education, and all the enlightenment of the modern world. It was there, if anywhere, that there was lost or impatiently snapped the long thin delicate thread that had descended from distant antiquity; the thread of that unusual human hobby: the habit of thinking." G.K. Chesterton

innocuous- not harmful or offensive

escarpment- a long, steep slope especially one at the edge of a plateau or separating areas of land at different heights

concatenation- a series of interconnected things or events

2 comments:

Spencer Mom said...

Caity, I've missed "marginalia" during these weeks when you've been so busy. I see you've come up with a quote that will make us think and more wonderful vocabulary. Ah, words.... I love you dear daughter (and treasure the times when we can exchange words in deep and thought provoking conversations!)

Anonymous said...

Interesting quote, Caity! I haven't thought of the loss of thinking as extending so far back...

Thinking does take time. And no one has that these days. :)

Love,
Sarah