Read the excerpt from the riddle of the rosetta stone. he wrote to a friend: "you tell me that i shall astonish the world if i make out the demotic inscription on the rosetta stone. on the contrary, i think it astonishing that it should not have been made out already, and that i should find the task so difficult.” in this excerpt, the author includes thomas young’s words to show that young has very little confidence in the ability of others. places a great deal of pressure on himself. feels that figuring out the inscription is useless. seeks public praise for his accomplishments.