But to radiate the heat of the affections into a clod, which absorbs all that is poured into it, but never warms beneath the sunshine of smiles or the pressure of hand or lip,-this is the great martyrdom of sensitive beings,-most of all in that perpetual auto da fé where young womanhood is the sacrifice. (Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.)

But to radiate the heat of the affections into a clod, which absorbs all that is poured into it, but never warms beneath the sunshine of smiles or the pressure of hand or lip,-this is the great martyrdom of sensitive beings,-most of all in that perpetual auto da fé where young womanhood is the sacrifice.

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

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clod great hand heat lip martyrdom perpetual pressure radiate sacrifice sensitive sunshine womanhood young auto smiles

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