Original artwork, not a still
Persuasion · 1817
Here and there, human nature may be great in times of trial, but generally speaking it is its weakness and not its strength that appears in a sick chamber.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
The speaker allows that difficult circumstances sometimes reveal greatness, then contrasts that hope with what appears in a sickroom. Weakness, rather than strength, is said to be the more usual sight. The qualification resists an uncomplicated picture of adversity bringing out the best in people.
Context reviewed
