National Sympathy, by Mandell Creighton

❰

1 2

❱

But let us remember that suffering gives an insight into regions where thought cannot penetrate; and the man who has not suffered is wise if he learns some lessons from those who have. History should teach us sympathy with the national past of other peoples. We should learn not to offend against the prejudices or fancies, as we may deem them, which are the inseparable result of all they have gone through. We should not be so uniformly and aggressively reasonable in the advice which we tender them so freely.

For there is about us this curious trait that, though we are averse from forming any decided policy for ourselves, we are always ready to advise others.

by Mandell Creighton 1843-1901

From ‘The English National Character’, the Romanes Lecture delivered in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on 17th June, 1896. As given in Historical Lectures and Addresses by Mandell Creighton (1843-1901).

Précis

A study of history, said Creighton, is a useful discipline for the English, because it helps us to understand peoples who have suffered more than we have. Perhaps we would not meddle so officiously in the affairs of foreign countries, if we took time to learn a little more about the hardships they have had to live through.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Tags

Read Next