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Though liberal in his praise and always courteous and…

“Though liberal in his praise and always courteous and condescending to the shop-people, he was scarcely ever known to pay a bill and when he died, the amount of money owing to Brandy's was considerable. Mr. Brandy, a short-tempered, pinched-faced, cross little old man, was beside himself with rage…” quote by Susanna Clarke
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““Though liberal in his praise and always courteous and condescending to the shop-people, he was scarcely ever known to pay a bill and when he died, the amount of money owing to Brandy's was considerable. Mr. Brandy, a short-tempered, pinched-faced, cross little old man, was beside himself with rage about it. He died shortly afterwards, and was presumed by many people to have done so on purpose and to have gone in pursuit of his noble debtor.””

Susanna Clarke

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A wealthy, polite man avoids paying debts, causing anger and suspicion after his death.

In simple terms: Avoiding debts leads to conflict and mistrust.

Key Takeaway

Pay what you owe promptly.

Themes

responsibility trust social norms

Mood

irious reflective

Type

moral social

When to use this quote

  • business dealings
  • personal relationships
  • inheritance disputes

Key Concepts

debt honor reputation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do unpaid debts affect community trust?
  • What mechanisms can ensure fairness?
A Different Perspective

Legal enforcement may be limited; personal grudges can persist.

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