When an Englishman wants something, George Bernard Shaw…
““When an Englishman wants something, George Bernard Shaw observed, he never publicly admits to his wanting it; instead, his want is expressed as ‘a burning conviction that it is his moral and religious duty to conquer those who possess the thing he wants’. Durant is scathing about this pretence: ‘Hypocrisy was added to brutality, while the robbery went on.’ And””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how people mask selfish desires as moral duties, revealing hypocrisy and underlying aggression.
In simple terms: People hide selfish motives behind moral claims.
Key Takeaway
Question motives behind proclaimed duties.
Themes
hypocrisy
power
morality
politics
selfishness
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
sociopolitical
observational
When to use this quote
- political campaigns
- business negotiations
- personal ambitions
Key Concepts
social dynamics
ethical rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives people to disguise desires?
- How can we detect true intentions?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes genuine belief and self-interest coexist.