| I shall be obliged to make a digression in order to explain this phaenomenon. |
| It is a quality very observable in human nature, that any opposition, which does not entirely discourage and intimidate us, has rather a contrary effect, and inspires us with a more than ordinary grandeur and magnanimity. |
| In collecting our force to overcome the opposition, we invigorate the soul, and give it an elevation with which otherwise it would never have been acquainted. |
| Compliance, by rendering our strength useless, makes us insensible of it: but opposition awakens and employs it. |
| This is also true in the universe. |
| Opposition not only enlarges the soul; but the soul, when full of courage and magnanimity, in a manner seeks opposition. |
| SPUMANTEMQUE DARI PECORA INTER INERTIA VOTIS OPTAT APRUM, AUT FULVUM DESCENDERE MONTE LEONEM. |
| [And, among the tamer beasts, [he] longs to be granted, in answer to his prayers, a slavering boar, or to have a tawny lion come down from the mountain.] |
| Whatever supports and fills the passions is agreeable to us; as on the contrary, what weakens and infeebles them is uneasy. |
| As opposition has the first effect, and facility the second, no wonder the mind, in certain dispositions, desires the former, and is averse to the latter. |
| These principles have an effect on the imagination as well as on the passions. |
| To be convinced of this we need only consider the influence of heights and depths on that faculty. |
| Any great elevation of place communicates a kind of pride or sublimity of imagination, and gives a fancyed superiority over those that lie below; and, vice versa, a sublime and strong imagination conveys the idea of ascent and elevation. |
| Hence it proceeds, that we associate, in a manner, the idea of whatever is good with that of height, and evil with low. |
| ness. |
| Heaven is supposed to be above, and hell below. |
| A noble genius is called an elevate and sublime one. |
| ATQUE UDAM SPERNIT HUMUM FUGIENTE PENNA. |
| [Spurns the dank soil in winged flight.] On the contrary, a vulgar and trivial conception is stiled indifferently low or mean. |
| Prosperity is denominated ascent, and adversity descent. |
| Kings and princes are supposed to be placed at the top of human affairs; as peasants and day-labourers are said to be in the lowest stations. |