Thomas Reed Bridges, D.D., says:
Macaulay tells the story of a young scientist in India who
became possest of a microscope. Beneath it he placed a drop
of water from the Ganges. This is, as you know, the sacred
river of India. He looked and beheld an infinite pollution.
Then in his rage he broke the microscope in pieces and threw
it from him. The Ganges ran on carrying its infection to the
sea, but he would not see it. Foolish, you say. But not more
foolish than the way in which many people close their eyes to
the facts of their own life. They have not the courage to look
at the truth. They prefer to live all their days in a fool’s
paradise. In their sincerest moments there is some insincerity.
Their self-examination is nothing more than self-defense. It is
possible to put a favorable construction upon almost any action
and this men do when dealing with themselves.
(1015)