Quote of the Day: The one point of unity . . . [by Mark Twain]

Mark Twain, on the Viennese Parliament in 1897:  "As to the make-up of the House itself, it is this: the deputies come from all the walks of life and from all the grades of society. There are princes, counts, barons, priests, mechanics, laborers, physicians, professors, merchants, bankers,shopkeepers. They are religious men, they are earnest, sincere, devoted, and they hate the Jews." Lionel Trilling, who quoted this, added that "This hatred of the Jews was the one point of unity in a Parliament which was torn asunder by the fiercest nationalistic and cultural jealousies." Still true.

-- DL

Mark Twain, on the Viennese Parliament in 1897:  "As to the make-up of the House itself, it is this: the deputies come from all the walks of life and from all the grades of society. There are princes, counts, barons, priests, mechanics, laborers, physicians, professors, merchants, bankers,shopkeepers. They are religious men, they are earnest, sincere, devoted, and they hate the Jews." Lionel Trilling, who quoted this, added that "This hatred of the Jews was the one point of unity in a Parliament which was torn asunder by the fiercest nationalistic and cultural jealousies." Still true.

-- DL

Comments

[Camille]

This passage highlights the diverse composition of a legislative body, showing how representatives from various social, occupational, and economic backgrounds come together. However, it takes a sharp turn by revealing a troubling commonality among the members: anti-Semitism. This juxtaposition serves to underscore the complexity and contradictions within such bodies. The text may intend to critique or reflect on the dangerous uniformity of prejudicial attitudes that can persist even in a seemingly diverse and inclusive group, pointing to the deeper societal issues that influence and permeate political institutions.