“ What has being a gentleman ever done for me except make me less able to prey and more easy to be preyed upon? ”
Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh (1903). copy citation
| Author | Samuel Butler |
|---|---|
| Source | The Way of All Flesh |
| Topic | gentleman |
| Date | 1903 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2084/2084-h/2084-h.htm |
Context
“and now that he was well and rested he wanted to set up a shop again, but this, of course, I would not hear of.
“What care I,” said he to me one day, “about being what they call a gentleman?” And his manner was almost fierce.
“What has being a gentleman ever done for me except make me less able to prey and more easy to be preyed upon? It has changed the manner of my being swindled, that is all. But for your kindness to me I should be penniless. Thank heaven I have placed my children where I have.”
I begged him to keep quiet a little longer and not talk about taking a shop.”
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