Literary notes about diversion (AI summary)
Across literary works spanning centuries, the word "diversion" has been employed in a remarkably flexible manner. In some texts it denotes light-hearted entertainment or pastime—Montaigne ([1], [2], [3], [4]) and Verne ([5], [6]) describe diversion as a welcome escape from routine or hardship, while Dickens ([7], [8]) and Fielding ([9]) highlight its role in social interactions and personal amusements. Conversely, the term often connotes strategic misdirection and deliberate distraction in political and military contexts; for instance, Sunzi’s classic treatise ([10]) and military narratives in works by Napoleon and Jomini ([11], [12]) use diversion to imply tactical ploys on and off the battlefield. Even in satirical writings and social commentaries—such as those found in The Spectator ([13], [14], [15], [16])—diversion carries a dual meaning, sometimes embodying both a benign pleasure and a calculated departure from serious affairs.
- This story is worth a diversion.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - I the rather accept of any other sort of diversion, how light soever, because this can never fail me.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - I studied, when young, for ostentation; since, to make myself a little wiser; and now for my diversion, but never for any profit.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - I protect myself from such treasons in my own bosom, not by an unquiet and tumultuous curiosity, but rather by diversion and resolution.
— from Essays of Michel de Montaigne — Complete by Michel de Montaigne - is to me a relief, a diversion, a passion that could make me forget everything.
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne - To me, research is a relief, a potent diversion, an enticement, a passion that can make me forget everything else.
— from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World by Jules Verne - The fright and abhorrence that Mrs Betty Higden smoothed out of her strong face as she ended this diversion, showed how seriously she had meant it.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - 'Pray, Mr Headstone, what is the name,' he asked, again trying to make a diversion, 'of young Hexam's sister?'
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - I want to be nearer the places of diversion; so I am going to Pall-mall.”
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding - Li Ch`uan: "Facing the enemy is CHENG, making lateral diversion is CH`I. Chia Lin:
— from The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi - A diversion to save the army of Italy was now imperative.
— from Napoleon's Letters to Josephine, 1796-1812 by Emperor of the French Napoleon I - Here is a case where a diversion would have been not only very useful, but decisive.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - Here is the first 'little Diversion'; the germ of Tatlers and Spectators which in after years amused and edified the town.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - She teaches such as are design'd for the Diversion of the Publick, and to act in enchanted Woods on the Theatres, by the Great.
— from The Spectator, Volume 1 by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele - Not far from these was another Set of merry People engaged at a Diversion, in which the whole Jest was to mistake one Person for another.
— from The Spectator, Volume 1 by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele - Since I have raised to myself so great an Audience, I shall spare no Pains to make their Instruction agreeable, and their Diversion useful.
— from The Spectator, Volume 1 by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele
