...but society called them professors, and professors they had to be. While all these brilliant men were greedy for companionship, all were famished for want of it. Society was a faculty-meeting without business. The elements were there; but society cannot be made up of elements - people who are expected to be silent unless they have observations to make - and all the elements are bound to remain apart if required to make observations. (Henry Adams)

...but society called them professors, and professors they had to be. While all these brilliant men were greedy for companionship, all were famished for want of it. Society was a faculty-meeting without business. The elements were there; but society cannot be made up of elements - people who are expected to be silent unless they have observations to make - and all the elements are bound to remain apart if required to make observations.

Henry Adams

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apart bound brilliant business companionship men people remain silent society while elements

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