"A Peck Of Trouble"
. . . 'tis as plain as the nose in a man's face, that these same adventures which we hunt for up and down, are like to bring us at last into a peck of troubles, and such a plaguy deal of mischief, that we shan't be able to set one foot afore t'other.
In this passage from Don Quixote, Sancho Panza offers a dose of practical wisdom, highlighting the perils of their quixotic adventures. While Don Quixote remains entrapped in his fantastical delusions, Sancho recognizes the tangible consequences of their escapades. The imagery of being unable to "set one foot afore t'other" underscores the chaos and danger inherent in their journey. Sancho’s realistic perspective serves as a counterbalance to Don Quixote's idealism, representing the eternal struggle between dreams and reality. His suggestion to "jog home and look after our harvest" contrasts sharply with the knight's quest for glory, emphasizing a preference for stability and practicality over reckless pursuit. This quote encapsulates the novel's central theme of the tension between the noble aspirations of the imagination and the grounding force of everyday life.
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