Human vanity is so constituted that it stiffens before difficulties. The more an object conceals itself from our eyes, the greater the effort we make to seize it, because it pricks our pride, it excites our curiosity and it appears interesting. In fighting for his God everyone, in fact, fights only for the interest of his own vanity, which, of all the passions produced bye the mal-organization of society, is the quickest to take offense, and the most capable of committing the greatest follies.
Percy Bysshe ShelleyHad this author [Sir W Drummond Academical Questions, chap. iii.], instead of inveighing against the guilt and absurdity of atheism, demonstrated its falsehood, his conduct would have, been more suited to the modesty of the skeptic and the toleration of the philosopher.
Percy Bysshe ShelleyAnd on the pedestal these words appear:โจ 'My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:โจ Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!' โจNothing beside remains. Round the decayโจ Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bareโจ The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Percy Bysshe ShelleyOne word is too often profaned For me to profane it, One feeling too falsely disdained For thee to disdain it.
Percy Bysshe Shelley