I know at least what I am,’ he simply went on; ‘the other side of the medal’s clear enough. I’ve not been edifying–I believe I’m thought in a hundred quarters to have been barely decent. I’ve followed strange paths and worshipped strange gods; it must have come to you again and again–in fact you’ve admitted to me as much–that I was leading, at any time these thirty years, a selfish frivolous scandalous life. And you see what it has made of me.

I know at least what I am,’ he simply went on; ‘the other side of the medal’s clear enough. I’ve not been edifying–I believe I’m thought in a hundred quarters to have been barely decent. I’ve followed strange paths and worshipped strange gods; it must have come to you again and again–in fact you’ve admitted to me as much–that I was leading, at any time these thirty years, a selfish frivolous scandalous life. And you see what it has made of me.

– Henry James –

The Jolly Corner

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