Feb 24, 2012
An honest and extremely self-deprecating marriage proposal
In 1936, Evelyn Waugh wrote to Laura Herbert asking if she’d marry him…
I can’t advise you in my favour because I think it would be beastly for you, but think how nice it would be for me. I am restless & moody and misanthropic & lazy & have no money except what I earn and if I got ill you would starve. In fact it’s a lousy proposition.
On the other hand I think I could…reform & become quite strict about not getting drunk and I am pretty sure I should be faithful. Also there is always a fair chance that there will be another bigger economic crash in which case if you had married a nobleman with a great house you might find yourself starving, while I am very clever and could probably earn a living of some sort somewhere…
All these are very small advantages compared with the awfulness of my character. I have always tried to be nice to you and you may have got it into your head that I am nice really, but that is all rot. It is only to you & for you. I am jealous & impatient — but there is no point in going into a whole list of my vices. You are a critical girl and I’ve no doubt that you know them all and a great many I don’t know myself.
They were married a year later.
via Futility Closet and The Life of Evelyn Waugh)
* * * * *
Self-deprecating, but not so honest.
The jacket swung it.
Okay, I’ll bite: what was dishonest, Juanny?
Take a peek at his wikipedia entry. I have a hard time believing a lazy, broke goon could be as prolific as this guy.
Prolific doesn’t necessarily mean non-lazy. Imagine what he could’ve accomplished if he wasn’t as lazy as he thought he was. ;o)
Not the guy for my daughter, but perfect for my aunt. Too bad she has passed.