How not to be a wallflower

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

79354

Title

How not to be a wallflower

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This essay explores the complex dynamics between the humble and the clever, arguing that while pride and vanity are dangerous if they insult intelligence, they are essential for fame and human connection. The author urges 'wallflowers' to recognize their unique qualities and cultivate latent genius rather than seeking popularity.

Summary up to 500 words

The text presents a philosophical argument regarding the dynamics between the 'humble' and the 'great,' exploring the roles of pride, vanity, and cleverness in human achievement. The author posits a paradoxical relationship: initially, the mental credulity and ignorance of the humble elevate the clever to greatness; conversely, once great, the clever make the humble even more humble by controlling their narratives. The author addresses 'wallflowers'—those who feel out of tune or different from the common crowd—and encourages them to recognize this difference not as a flaw but as an occult quality that makes them fortunate. A central theme is the nature of the 'great.' The author clarifies that true greatness requires a combination of pride, vanity, and cleverness. While pride without cleverness is dangerous, cleverness alone is merely a skill acquired through practice and specialization, not an innate birthright. To become great, individuals must master the admired qualities of the humble, such as being sorcerers, dancers, talkers, or actors, while guarding their secrets. The author argues that the humble prefer fairy tales and legends over harsh truths; they wish to believe in chosen geniuses rather than understanding that these figures are simply clever people who accentuate certain traits to command adoration. Consequently, the great withhold their methods to maintain this illusion. The tone is conversational yet didactic, shifting from a critique of social barriers to an enthusiastic endorsement of self-cultivation. The author explicitly pleads for the development of pride and vanity, countering the traditional biblical warning against vanity ('Vanity of vanities'). Instead, vanity is celebrated as a force that has beautified women, strengthened men, created humor, fostered literature, and made love possible. Similarly, pride is defended as the drive that makes individuals feel they are accomplishing something meaningful, even if it only benefits contemporaries rather than posterity. The narrative concludes with advice to the 'wallflowers' to nurture any latent spark of genius or unique quality within themselves. The author warns against being too outwardly proud or vain when it insults intelligence or descends into self-conceit, which can turn worthy people into fools. However, the ultimate message is one of encouragement: if one possesses these traits, they should be cultured and tended with care. The text ends by urging readers to embrace their uniqueness, suggesting that being 'like everybody else' is not a desirable quality and that recognizing one's own special nature allows individuals to cease being wallflowers.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Popularity