Literary notes about Reject (AI summary)
In literature, “reject” functions as a versatile term denoting the act of dismissing or spurning that which is deemed unworthy, false, or harmful. Authors invoke it to disavow shallow values and false idols, as seen in the reference to hollow pretensions by Carlyle [1] and the dismissal of transient good by Sæmundur fróði [2]. It also appears as a powerful command within moral exhortations, urging one not to decline divine correction [3] or to spurn deceitful overtures [4, 5]. In philosophical and political discourses, “reject” underscores the importance of critical discernment—whether it is refuting flawed arguments [6, 7] or repudiating detrimental proposals in the public realm [8, 9]. This rich employment of “reject” illustrates its capacity to convey both personal judgment and broader societal repudiation.
- It is what the old Prophets called "Idolatry," worshipping of hollow shows ; what all earnest men do and will reject.
— from On Heroes, Hero-Worship, and the Heroic in History by Thomas Carlyle - That I can prevent; another course I see, easier by half: the good we oft reject.
— from The Elder Eddas of Saemund Sigfusson; and the Younger Eddas of Snorre Sturleson by Sæmundur fróði - My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do not faint when thou art chastised by him: 3:12.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Deny me not, and say not nay; reject not the suit I make unto you, I entreat you.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - “So I shall have to nail up that coffin?” “Yes.” “And we are to reject the undertaker’s coffin?”
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - If we reject it in favour of these reasonings, we subvert entirely the human understanding.
— from A Treatise of Human Nature by David Hume - But we cannot have reason to reject a belief except on the ground of some other belief.
— from The Problems of Philosophy by Bertrand Russell - The American sentiment here hopes that the Senate will reject the treaty because it virtually completes the turning over of China to Japan.
— from Letters from China and Japan by Harriet Alice Chipman Dewey and John Dewey - Diaeus, however, induced them to reject all offers; and Metellus was kept some time encamped before Corinth.
— from The Histories of Polybius, Vol. 1 (of 2) by Polybius
