Word: inborn
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...beware how he ventures to assume this character, if it is not inborn. It is not an easy part to assume, and all labor will be in vain unless there exist a priori some natural adaptation for it. One must learn to have perfect control of himself, his watchfulness must never relax; for one little word, one involuntary smile, may destroy a reputation which it has taken years to acquire. The world does not ask for truth, does not ask if a character be genuine; but it does ask that it be consistent with itself...