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the other in an endless circle, it being certain that, in proportion as men
possess light, they discover both the greatness and the wretchedness of man.
In a word, man knows that he is wretched. He is therefore wretched, because
be is so; but he is really great because he knows it.
417. This twofold nature of man is so evident that some have thought that we
had two souls. A single subject seemed to them incapable of such sudden
variations from unmeasured presumption to a dreadful dejection of heart.
418. It is dangerous to make man see too clearly his equality with the
brutes without showing him his greatness. It is also dangerous to make his
see his greatness too clearly, apart from his vileness. It is still more
dangerous to leave him in ignorance of both. But it is very advantageous to
show him both. Man must not think that he is on a level either with the
brutes or with the angels, nor must he be ignorant of both sides of his
nature; but he must know both.
419. I will not allow man to depend upon himself, or upon another, to the
end that, being without a resting-place
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