Criminals, even those hardened beings who, ordinarily, laugh
at everything, and show but little trace of what we call
conscience, rarely keep their secret. It seems to burn them.
They chalk it on the walls, and they betray it in their dreams.
Their security depends upon their silence, and this silence they
can not keep. At every moment their speech skirts the terrible
mystery, and takes on a hollow sound which recalls that of steps
upon tunneled earth. One guesses a gulf even when he does not
see it. Revelation is more than a need; it is a necessity. It
takes place sometimes in spite of ourselves and against our
will. (Text.)--CHARLES WAGNER, “The Gospel of Life.”
(3372)
V
=Vacation Philosophy=--See ROUTINE.
=Vacuity=--See ORATORY; SOCIAL VANITY.
=Valuation, Extravagant=--See MYSTERY, VALUE OF.