But this is unsatisfactory and may well set us on a
search for supplementary meanings.
V
When we ask if the Venus of Milo is a good statue, we have to confess
that it is good beyond almost any object on which our eyes have ever
rested. And yet it is not good _for_ anything; it is no means for
an outside end. Rather, it is good in itself. This possibility that
things may be good in themselves was once brought forcibly to my
attention by a trivial incident. Wandering over my fields with my
farmer in autumn, we were surveying the wrecks of summer. There on the
ploughed ground lay a great golden object. He pointed to it, saying,
"That is a good big pumpkin." I said, "Yes, but I don't care about
pumpkins." "No," he said, "nor do I." I said, "You care for them,
though, as they grow large. You called this a good big one." "No! On
the contrary, a pumpkin that is large is worth less. Growing makes it
coarser. But that is a good big pumpkin." I saw there was some meaning
in his mind, but I could not make out what it was. Soon after I heard
a schoolboy telling about having had a "good big thrashing." I knew
that he did not like such things. His phrase could not indicate
approval, and what did it signify? He coupled the two words _good_ and
_big_; and I asked myself if there was between them any natural
connection? On reflection I thought there was.
Pages:
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27