Word: despondency
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...that generality to the welter of the specific, to fundamentalism is one's own family, to mental astigmatism in the leaders of one's own country, to freedom of speech at a university, human fallibility is almost overwhelming; and all but the stoutest hearts wallow in a slough of despond. The transcendentalist had the happy faculty, which we unfortunately have not, of soaring over this mire from the cradle to the clouds...
...early to make any predictions as to the ability Coach Stevens and his assistants will show in rescuing the Harvard crew system from the slough of Despond and putting it on a winning basis. That they will have some difficulty at least in co-ordinating their methods with that of the other coaches and in establishing a thorough system resulting in immediate victories seems evident. But the undergraduate has no right to demand immediate and constant victories. Winning systems are not built...
...directors as soon as possible, together with the events they intend to enter, that an open eye may be kept on them and some system of training prepared. It is folly for us to expect to do much, but let us drag out of this slough of despond instantly. For the benefit of those who may be inclined to compete, we add a table of times that must be made before any person can hope to find his name on the list of fortunate aspirants: one-mile run, 5 minutes; one-half mile run, 2 minutes 10 seconds; one quarter...
...Plautus or the power of reaching a mathematical infinity, as his claim for admittance, is of small moment with respect to one matter. We can well afford to allow the future freshman to fret and terrify his soul over the classics, but we who have passed the slough of despond require none the less a recognition of our power to read the classics. It is very pleasant and profitable for us that the beauties of Chaucer should be held up for our admiration. But this is not enough. We miss the accustomed classical readings which have been given...
...consequence has followed that faulty methods have been rooted out, the standard of their appreciation everywhere raised, and rich fruits garnered in their advance in academic discipline. It was this religious regard for the spirit, rather than the letter of language that lifted Germany out of the slough of despond in which all linguistic study was sunk three-quarters of a century ago, and gave her such vantage ground over all other nations that they will probably never be able to overtake her in this work. Here, too, just in proportion as methods have been bettered, and the true spirit...