"But reasoning with a man under the influence of any passion is like endeavouring to stop a wild horse, who becomes more violent from being pursued."

— Graves, Richard (1715-1804)


Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for J. Dodsley
Date
1773
Metaphor
"But reasoning with a man under the influence of any passion is like endeavouring to stop a wild horse, who becomes more violent from being pursued."
Metaphor in Context
Before they parted, Rivers took the liberty, in his turn, to expostulate with his friend on his present romantic undertaking; and said, "that although he did not doubt his intention was good, and that the world stood in need of some reformation; yet he could not think that any private person could be justified in disturbing the peace of society, without some divine commission for that purpose." But reasoning with a man under the influence of any passion is like endeavouring to stop a wild horse, who becomes more violent from being pursued. The two friends, however, took leave with mutual good wishes. Wildgoose said, "he should pray for Mr. River's conversion:" --and Rivers, "that it would be a great pleasure to him, to hear that Mr. Wildgoose was returned to his disconsolate mother."
(pp. 96-7)
Categories
Provenance
Searching "passion" and "horse" in HDIS (Prose)
Citation
At least 5 entries in the ESTC (1755, 1773, 1774, 1783)

The Spiritual Quixote: or, the Summer's Ramble of Mr. Geoffry Wildgoose. A Comic Romance. 3 vols. (London: Printed for J. Dodsley, 1773). <Link to ECCO>
Date of Entry
07/05/2012

The Mind is a Metaphor is authored by Brad Pasanek, Assistant Professor of English, University of Virginia.