But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he can persuade others to believe: yet at the same time he is a man of some parts, and I suspect that were you to attack him through his reason, were you to persuade him to abandon this self-defeating practice, with its anxiety, its probability of detection, and to seek only a more legitimate approval, then we should have no need for belladonna or any other anhidrotic.
by Patrick O'Brian
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The passage suggests that the patient holds a unique view of truth as something subjective, determined by his ability to convince others rather than an objective reality. Despite this perspective, the character is portrayed as intelligent and complex, showing potential for change if challenged intellectually. There is an implication that he may benefit from re-evaluating his approach to social acceptance and validation.

The narrator speculates that if the patient were to reassess his reliance on deceptive practices and the associated anxieties, he could achieve genuine approval without resorting to artificial means, such as medical interventions like belladonna. This reflects a broader commentary on the nature of truth and validation in social relationships, suggesting that a more straightforward path could lead to healthier outcomes for the individual.

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January 31, 2025

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