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Great souls are not those
which have less passion and more virtue than common souls,
but those only which have greater designs.
LA ROCHEFOUCAULD
Englishmen habitually distrust
the most obvious truths, if the person who advances them is
suspected of having any general views. To produce any effect
on their minds, you must carefully conceal the fact of your
having any system or body of opinions, and must instruct them
on insulated point, and endeavour to form their habits of
thought by your mode of treating single and practical questions.
When you have gained a high reputation with them for knowledge
of facts, and skill and judgement in the appreciation of details,
you may then venture on an enlarged view; but even then, very
cautiously and guardedly. A journal which should start by
a systematic exposition of far-sighted views would not have
twenty subscribers.
JOHN STUART MILL
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