Commonplace Book

'Perhaps the inherent force of a nature is shown even more in its passive and negative than in its active and positive self-expressions. In its power of voluntarily limiting its own horizon; of setting itself arbitrary boundaries; of saying, "Thus far will I go, see, admit, and no further." For it takes a lot of latent strength to sit, either mentally or physically, really still. Not to fidget. To "stay put," in short.'

from The Wages of Sin by Lucas Malet (Book IV, Chapter V)