They were not bound to regard with affection a thing that…
““They were not bound to regard with affection a thing that could not sympathise with one amongst them; a heterogeneous thing, opposed to them in temperament, in capacity, in propensities; a useless thing, incapable of serving their interest, or adding to their pleasure; a noxious thing, cherishing the germs of indignation at their treatment, of contempt of their judgment. I know that had I been a sanguine, brilliant, careless, exacting, handsome, romping child—though equally dependent and friendless—Mrs. Reed would have endured my presence more complacently; her children would have entertained...””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People reject those who differ in temperament or ability, seeing them as useless or threatening.
In simple terms: Differences cause fear and exclusion.
Key Takeaway
Embrace diversity and seek common ground.
Themes
prejudice
exclusion
diversity
Mood
critical
empathetic
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- workplace
- education
- community building
Key Concepts
social dynamics
empathy
in-group bias
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we label differences as threats?
- How can we foster inclusion?
A Different Perspective
Fear of the unknown can dominate rational judgment.