Charles Sumner: “Nature has placed the eye in the front, that man shall look forward…”

On the record

Nature has placed the eye in the front, that man shall look forward and upward; and it is only by contortion that he is able to look behind.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner uses the metaphor of the eye's position to illustrate the importance of looking forward rather than dwelling on the past.

More from Charles Sumner

Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.

Slave Power, necessity of political action against the, II. 207.

Disunion no remedy for grievances of, VII. 33.

Contrary to Christianity, but upheld by the Church, I. 54, 58.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “Nature has placed the eye in the front, that man shall look forward and upward; and it is only by contortion that he is…”