Man is too thoroughly an egoist not to be also an egotist; if he love, the object shall know it. During a lifetime he may conceal it through stress of expediency and honour, but it shall bubble from his dying lips, though it disrupt a neighbourhood. It is known, however, that most men do not wait so long to disclose their passion. In the case of Lorison, his particular ethics positively forbade him to declare his sentiments, but he must needs dally with the subject, and woo by innuendo at least.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Men cannot hide their selfish love forever; it will eventually show.
- In plain terms
- Selfish people always show their love eventually.
- What can you take from it?
- You cannot hide your true feelings forever.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we hide our feelings?
- When does truth come out?
Another view
Some people manage to keep feelings hidden until the end.
More from O. Henry
It couldn't have happened anywhere but in little old New York.
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