The 'second sight' possessed by the Highlanders in Scotland is actually a foreknowledge of future events. I believe they possess this gift because they don't wear trousers... That is also why in all countries women are more prone to utter prophecies.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author jokes that prophecy is linked to lack of trousers, mocking superstition.
- In plain terms
- He mocks prophecies by linking them to not wearing pants.
- What can you take from it?
- Be skeptical of claims linking physical traits to supernatural powers.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we distinguish fact from folklore?
- Why do we trust certain sources?
Another view
This dismisses genuine cultural traditions as mere clothing-based quirks.
More from Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
If this is philosophy it is at any rate a philosophy that is not in its right mind.
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Permalink to quote #114 There were honest people long before there were Christians and there are, God be praised, still honest people where there are no Christians. It could therefore…
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