“ The test of a man or woman's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel. ”
George Bernard Shaw, The Philanderer (1893). copy citation
| Author | George Bernard Shaw |
|---|---|
| Source | The Philanderer |
| Topic | fight argument breeding |
| Date | 1893 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/5071/5071-h/5071-h.htm |
Context
“(He turns commandingly to Julia.) Now look here, Julia.
CHARTERIS. Hallo! A revolt of the fathers!
CRAVEN. Silence, Charteris. (To Julia, unanswerably.) The test of a man or woman's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel. Anybody can behave well when things are going smoothly. Now you said to-day, at that iniquitous club, that you were not a womanly woman. Very well: I don't mind. But if you are not going to behave like a lady when Mrs. Tranfield comes into this room, you've got to behave like a gentleman; or fond as I am of you, I'll cut you dead exactly as I would if you were my son.” source
CHARTERIS. Hallo! A revolt of the fathers!
CRAVEN. Silence, Charteris. (To Julia, unanswerably.) The test of a man or woman's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel. Anybody can behave well when things are going smoothly. Now you said to-day, at that iniquitous club, that you were not a womanly woman. Very well: I don't mind. But if you are not going to behave like a lady when Mrs. Tranfield comes into this room, you've got to behave like a gentleman; or fond as I am of you, I'll cut you dead exactly as I would if you were my son.” source
Meaning and analysis
