August 19. 1832
English and German — Best State of Society
It may be doubted whether a composite language like the English is not a happier instrument of expression than a homogeneous one like the German. We possess a wonderful richness and variety of modified meanings in our Saxon and Latin quasi-synonymes, which the Germans have not. For “the pomp and prodigality of Heaven,” the Germans must have said “the spendthriftness.”1 Shakspeare is particularly happy in his use of the Latin synonymes, and in distinguishing between them and the Saxon.
That is the most excellent state of society in which the patriotism of the citizen ennobles, but does not merge, the individual energy of the man.
Notes
1 Verschwendung, I suppose.—ED.