"Sentimentalism is the working off on yourself of feelings you haven't really got"

In this quote, David Herbert Lawrence is suggesting that sentimentalism is a kind of self-deception. He thinks that individuals who are extremely nostalgic are attempting to encourage themselves that they have certain emotions or feelings that they actually do not possess. This could be due to social pressure or personal insecurities. Lawrence is indicating that sentimentalism is a way of coping with one's own lack of real emotions, instead of really experiencing and expressing them. He may also be criticizing the idea of being extremely sentimental, as it can cause a false sense of self and prevent individual growth. In general, this quote highlights the threats of sentimentalism and motivates people to be more genuine in their feelings.