*(2) This sentence is equivocal, and seems to present
a double meaning; the one true, the other false, since it is
impossible that a man who is determined to remain alone can do the
least harm to anybody, and consequently he cannot be wicked. The
sentence in itself therefore required an interpretation; the more so
from an author who, when he sent it to the press, had a friend retired
from the world. It appeared to me shocking and uncivil, either to have
forgotten that solitary friend, or, in remembering him, not to have
made from the general maxim the honorable and just exception which
he owed, not only to his friend, but to so many respectable sages,
who, in all ages, have sought for peace and tranquillity in
retirement, and of whom, for the first time since the creation of
the world, a writer took it into his head indiscriminately to make
so many villains.
* That is to take from it the old woman who was wanted in the
conspiracy. It is astonishing that, during this long quarrel, my
stupid confidence prevented me from comprehending that it was not me
but her whom they wanted at Paris.
*(2) The wicked only are alone.
I had a great affection and the most sincere esteem for Diderot, and
fully depended upon his having the same sentiments for me. But tired
with his indefatigable obstinacy in continually opposing my
inclinations, taste, and manner of living, and everything which
related to no person but myself; shocked at seeing a man younger
than I was wish, at all events, to govern me like a child; disgusted
with his facility in promising, and his negligence in performing;
weary of so many appointments given by himself, and capriciously
broken, while new ones were again given only to be again broken;
displeased at uselessly waiting for him three or four times a month on
the days he had assigned, and in dining alone at night after having
gone to Saint Denis to meet him, and waited the whole day for his
coming; my heart was already full of these multiplied injuries.
Pages:
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660
661
662
663
664
665