[A Wanderer in Venice by E.V. Lucas]@TWC D-Link book
A Wanderer in Venice

CHAPTER XVII
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"This, then, is the truth which Carpaccio knows, and would teach: That the world is divided into two groups of men; the first, those whose God is their God, and whose glory is their glory, who mind heavenly things; and the second, men whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

That is just as demonstrable a scientific fact as the separation of land from water.

There may be any quantity of intermediate mind, in various conditions of bog; some, wholesome Scotch peat,--some, Pontine marsh,--some, sulphurous slime, like what people call water in English manufacturing towns; but the elements of Croyance and Mescroyance are always chemically separable out of the putrescent mess: by the faith that is in it, what life or good it can still keep, or do, is possible; by the miscreance in it, what mischief it can do, or annihilation it can suffer, is appointed for its work and fate.

All strong character curdles itself out of the scum into its own place and power, or impotence: and they that sow to the Flesh, do of the Flesh reap corruption; and they that sow to the Spirit, do of the Spirit reap Life.
"I pause, without writing 'everlasting,' as perhaps you expected.
Neither Carpaccio nor I know anything about duration of life, or what the word translated 'everlasting' means.

Nay, the first sign of noble trust in God and man, is to be able to act without any such hope.


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