A Tale of Two Cities

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-- in short, the period was so far like the present period, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." -Charles Dickens (opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities)

How many times have you heard (or said) that first line?  Now be honest, have you actually read the entire book?  I just started reading it and have been astounded by the writing.  The brevity of every sentence clings to the soul.  I am almost a third of the way through the book and almost nothing has happened, but I didn't even notice because his commentary about general life is so thought-provoking.  Even though Dickens wrote this in the late 1850's I think this opening line holds profoundly true in today's society as well.  Boulder is especially indicative of this -- I mean people think we are so progressive here and environmentally concious and friendly and open-minded, but open-mindedness doesn't necessarily just mean wisdom, it can also mean that you don't actually have anything to stand on, that you just go with whatever everyone else is doing.  I could go on and on, but maybe I'll just leave it at that.  If you all have any thoughts on the quote or my comments then let me know.