The very phrase was first coined by Freud. He used it, I believe, to characterize national feelings, which in Europe at the time, prompted nations to want to find marks that distinguished them from the despicable neighbor on their borders. But it was perhaps most sharply "dramatized" in Swift (I think GULLIVER'S TRAVELS) where he talks about two nations going to war with terrible destruction and slaughter -- 30,000 dead -- in a dispute over the correct way to beak open an egg.
In a message dated 5/7/08 5:12:29 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > William writes: > > > > > Somewere I > > > saw the line "The narcissism of minute > > differences" > > I agree it's a great line and for the life of me I > can't recall where I read it -- recently, in the last > month, perhaps in the NY Review of Books, or somewhere > forever lost among the stacks I peruse so recklessly. > Maybe someone else here can help identify the genius > who said it. > > WC > > > ************** Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)
