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Chilvery and Foolery Hand in Hand-Ivanhoe


At a recent garage sale, I bought the book, "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott.  This very old book purchased for $.25 was stamped with an elementary school's mark from long ago.

A frustrating and challenging book to read.  Many new words and ideas and names that were outside my usual.  I was determined to have victory over it!  At first, it was a battle.  I fought with each paragraph and made the decision to not let it win.  

Line by line, I trudged through, until I began to feel connected to the characters.  I wanted to know what happened to the Black Knight and Rebecca or Rowana or Ivanhoe.

Some favorite quotes:

“For he that does good, having the unlimited power to do evil, deserves praise not only for the good which he performs, but for the evil which he forbears." Sir Walter Scott

 “Chivalry!---why, maiden, she is the nurse of pure and high affection---the stay of the oppressed, the redresser of grievances, the curb of the power of the tyrant ---Nobility were but an empty name without her, and liberty finds the best protection in her lance and her sword.” 

 “We are like the herb which flourisheth most when trampled upon” 

 “I have heard men talk about the blessings of freedom," he said to himself, "but I wish any wise man would teach me what use to make of it now that I have it.” Sir Walter Scott

This morning, I celebrated the victories within the book as well as my victory over reading it!

http://www.shelfari.com/books/36309115/Ivanhoe-(Waverley)


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