Clay Lane

The Copy Book

A Library of History and Literature in English

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541

The Dogmatist

Schools inspector Edmond Holmes expressed frustration with those who think that society at large owes them unthinking obedience.

542

No Offence

The people who oil the wheels of society are not the people who never give offence, they are the people who never take any.

543

A Work of Art

The man who seems frustratingly dull and awkward may shine in other company, and we owe it to him and to ourselves to read the signs.

544

Kipling’s Proof

If officials in the Raj ever forgot who their boss was, they would bring the whole government down about their ears.

545

Heracles and the Flea

A man begs the mighty Heracles to save him the effort of despatching a flea.

546

Dog Collar

A scrawny wolf listens enviously as a well-fed dog describes the comforts of home, but a flat patch of fur on the dog’s neck worries him.