Break down! Oh! Lord! Did you ever see such a little…
““Break down! Oh! Lord! Did you ever see such a little tittuppy thing in your life? There is not a sound piece of iron about it. The wheels have been fairly worn out these ten years at least—and as for the body! Upon my soul, you might shake it to pieces yourself with a touch. It is the most devilish little rickety business I ever beheld! Thank God! we have got a better. I would not be bound to go two miles in it for fifty thousand pounds." "Good heavens!" cried Catherine, quite frightened. "Then pray let us turn back; they will certainly meet with an accident if we go on. Do let us turn back, Mr. Thorpe; stop and speak to my brother, and tell him how very unsafe it is." "Unsafe! Oh, lord! What is there in that? They will only get a roll if it does break down; and there is plenty of dirt; it will be excellent falling. Oh, curse it! The carriage is safe enough, if a man knows how to drive it; a thing of that sort in good hands will last above twenty years after it is fairly worn out. Lord bless you! I would undertake for five pounds to drive it to York and back again, without losing a nail.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A character’s reckless enthusiasm for a faulty carriage illustrates the danger of valuing novelty over safety and practical judgment.
In simple terms: Blind excitement can ignore real risks.
Key Takeaway
Balance enthusiasm with practical assessment.
Themes
risk
novelty
judgment
safety
humor
Mood
wry
satirical
humorous
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- travel planning
- product testing
- risk assessment
- consumer advice
Key Concepts
human folly
overconfidence
technology critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the carriage symbolize in broader society?
- How can excitement be tempered with caution?
A Different Perspective
May overstate the humor, missing deeper social critique.