DiotimosReading Desk

Ethics

Inconsistent in a humane direction

inconséquent; sagesse

Brotteaux is called inconsistent when he breaks his prudent rule against opposing the crowd to defend Longuemare.

From the book

The Gods Are Athirst

Anatole France · Diotimos Editions · 2026

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Meaning

Adjective and related motif.

Brotteaux is called inconsistent when he breaks his prudent rule against opposing the crowd to defend Longuemare. Here inconsistency saves someone rather than discrediting the defender. The later contrast between Lucretius’ one wisdom and his disciple’s several wisdoms catches a different departure from doctrine: Brotteaux enjoys erotic attraction while reading its philosophical cure. These are two related narrative jokes, not interchangeable moral faults.

Places to read

  1. Chapter VI, paragraph 32FrenchBrotteaux était inconséquent: Brotteaux was inconsistent. The immediate contradiction is between his rule of prudence and humane intervention.
  2. Chapter VI, paragraph 57Frenchson disciple Brotteaux en avait plusieurs: His disciple Brotteaux had several. The implied noun is wisdoms; the disciple combines reading with sensual pleasure.