Sonia
paraprhasing “The man who first took advantage of the general curiosity that was excited by a siege or battle to betray the readers of news into the knowledge of the shop, where the best puffs and powder were to be sold, was undoubtedly a man of great sagacity, and profound skill in the nature of man. But when he had once shown the way, it was easy to follow him” - Dr. Johnson, The Idler No. 40 hey could you paraphrase this text to me ? because i dont undertsand the meaning
Nov 22, 2014 9:56 PM
Corrections · 2
This is definitely an advanced text, and probably an old one. The way some words are used (such as the way the word "betray" is being used), is unfamiliar to me. As such, some of my paraphrase is an educated guess as to the full meaning (though it should be pretty close). "Battles and sieges tend to arouse a sense of curiosity in people. The man who first applied this principle likely did so by selling information about such events in the local shops. He was certainly a wise man with a great deal of insight into human nature. But once he took advantage of this principle of human curiosity, it went from being an idea nobody had thought of to something that seemed totally obvious."
April 22, 2015

“The man who first took advantage of the general curiosity that was excited by 

a siege or battle to betray the readers of news into the knowledge of the shop,
where the best puffs and powder were to be sold, was undoubtedly a man of
great sagacity, and profound skill in the nature of man. But when he had once
shown the way, it was easy to follow him” - Dr. Johnson, The Idler No. 40

hey could you paraphrase this text to me ? because i dont undertsand the meaning

 

This man is very in tune with human nature and uses his abilities to sell things.  He is very wise (sagacity - from sage), and skillful with people.  It is easy to listen to and follow him because of his success.

November 22, 2014
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