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Words of Wisdom —

Emily Brontë: “Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends”

The English author’s words resonate today as violent regimes reign across the globe and the United States grapples with the findings of the Senate torture report.

Emily Brontë (1818-1848) was an English novelist and poet whose only novel, Wuthering Heights, is concerned a classic in the British literary canon. Together with sisters Charlotte and Anne, the Brontës are considered one of the great families of literary tradition, though one of the major reasons for their fame is that none of the six Brontë siblings lived to see 40. This tragedy is likely attributable to unsanitary water sources near the family home. 

The following quote, spoken by the character Isabella Linton in Wuthering Heights, is one that is so steeped in moral universalism that it transcends time. It’s certainly resonant in the wake of current events: from terrorist violence in the Middle East and abroad to the U.S. Senate torture report released this month.

“Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends — they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.”

-from Wuthering Heights, the character Isabella Linton (Ch. XVII).

    (h/t Wikiquote)

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