I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.
 Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (16 October 1847). copy citation

edit
Author Charlotte Brontë
Source Jane Eyre
Topic experience age equality superiority submission
Date 16 October 1847
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1260/1260-h/1260-h.htm

Context

“«Then, in the first place, do you agree with me that I have a right to be a little masterful, abrupt, perhaps exacting, sometimes, on the grounds I stated, namely, that I am old enough to be your father, and that I have battled through a varied experience with many men of many nations, and roamed over half the globe, while you have lived quietly with one set of people in one house?»
«Do as you please, sir.»
«That is no answer; or rather it is a very irritating, because a very evasive one. Reply clearly.»
«I don't think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.»
«Humph! Promptly spoken. But I won't allow that, seeing that it would never suit my case, as I have made an indifferent, not to say a bad, use of both advantages. Leaving superiority out of the question, then, you must still agree to receive my orders now and then, without being piqued or hurt by the tone of command.” source

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report