But eccentricity unaccompanied by genius is mere uncorrected selfishness, or want of mental balance.

It is selfishness if it could be corrected and is not, because it makes exactions from others without return.

It will not adapt itself to them but insists on being taken as it is, whether acceptable or not.

At best, eccentricity is a morbid tendency liable to run into extremes when its habits are undisturbed.

An excuse sometimes made for eccentricity is that it is a security against any further mental aberration, perhaps on the same principle that inoculation producing a mild form of diseases is sometimes a safeguard against their attacks.