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Sancho has again chosen his example with his usual lack of skill. If all his nonsense about born poets, musicians, and philosophers is accepted, then this example only proves, on the one hand, that a born poet, etc., remains what he is from birth—namely a poet, etc.; and, on the other hand, that the born poet, etc., in so far as he becomes, develops, may, “owing to unfavorable circumstances”, not become what he could become. His example, therefore, on the one hand, proves nothing at all and, on the other hand, proves the opposite of what it was intended to prove; and taking both aspects together it proves that either from birth or owing to circumstances, Sancho belongs to “the most numerous class of mankind”. However, he shares the consolation of being a unique “blockhead” with this class and with his own blockheadedness.

Explanation and Analysis:

This passage finds Marx and Engels closely reading a passage from Stirner’s book to both locate the source of its warped conclusions and to mock its author with literary flair. Immediately preceding this passage is an extended quote of Stirner’...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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