Careful Words

step (n.)

step (v.)

step (adv.)

step (adj.)

  The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809): Age of Reason. Part ii. note.

Then gently scan your brother man,

Still gentler sister woman;

Though they may gang a kennin' wrang,

To step aside is human.

Robert Burns (1759-1796): Address to the Unco Guid.

  It is only the first step which costs.

Madame Du Deffand (1697-1784): In reply to the Cardinal de Polignac.

A foot more light, a step more true,

Ne'er from the heath-flower dash'd the dew.

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832): Lady of the Lake. Canto i. Stanza 18.

  We join ourselves to no party that does not carry the flag and keep step to the music of the Union.

Rufus Choate (1799-1859): Letter to the Whig Convention, 1855.

by simon sarris • about