The Arcades Project - Operi

Talma, Talleyrand, Rossini, Balzac"-named as gamblers in Edouard Gourdon,
Les Faltcheltrs de mdt (Paris, 1860), p. 14. [02a,4]
I submit that the passion for gambling is the noblest of all passions, because it
comprehends all others. A series of lucky rolls gives me more pleasure than a man
who does not gamble can have over a period of several years. I play by intuition,
par l 'esprit-that is to say, in the most keenly felt and delicate manner. Do you
think I recognize gain only in terms of the gold that comes my way? You are
mistaken. I see it in terms of the joys which gold procures, and I savor them to the
full. These joys, vivid and scorching as lightning, are too rapid-fire to hecome
distasteful, and too diverse to beeome boring. I live a hundred lives in one. If it is
a voyage, it is like that of an electric spark . ... If I keep my fist shut tight, and if I
hold onto my banknotes, it is because I know the value of time too well to spend it
like other men. To give myself to one pleasure alone would cause me to lose a
thousand others . ... I have spiritual pleasures, and I want no others." Edouard
Gourdon, Les F'au,cheu,rs de twit (Paris, 1860), pp. 14 .... . 15. The passage cited from
La Bruycre!-Compare: " What? I no longer act as I might choose?" Wallenstein.;>
[02a,5]