a timid tepidity
He who belies his talent, the born painter who sells stockings instead, the intelligent man who lives a stupid life, the man who sees the truth and keeps his mouth shut, the coward who gives up his manliness, all these people perceive in a deep way that they have done wrong to themselves and despise themselves for it. Out of this self-punishment may come only neurosis, but there may equally well come renewed courage, righteous indignation, increased self-respect, because of thereafter doing the right thing; in a word, growth and improvement can come through pain and conflict.
It is curious that so few of these psychology books consider the born stocking-seller who paints pictures instead, or the stupid man who tries to live an intelligent life. Do not such people also feel that they are doing themselves a deep personal wrong in their efforts to be what they feel society values? In a word, or in several words, there is not enough sympathy in the literature for life’s mediocrities and perhaps too much contempt for the lukewarm. 1
- Well, even so, one can cling to commonplace advice: μηδὲν ἄγαν. The snake is included here not for any deeper symbolic meaning but because I was charmed by its colors and expression. [↩]