The duty of the inn-keeper,is to sell to the first comer…
““The duty of the inn-keeper,is to sell to the first comer, stews, repose, light, fire, dirty sheets, a servant, lice, and a smile; to stop passers-by, to empty small purses, and to honestly lighten heavy ones; to shelter travelling families respectfully: to shave the man, to pluck the woman, to pick the child clean; to quote the window open, the window shut, the chimney-corner,the arm-chair, the chair, the ottoman, the stool, the feather-bed, the mattress and the truss of straw; to know how much the shadow uses up the mirror, and to put a price on it; and, by five hundred thousand devils, to make the traveller pay for everything, even for the flies which his dog eats!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The innkeeper’s role is to exploit every possible demand of travelers, charging for even the smallest comforts and inconveniences.
In simple terms: Innkeeper exploits every need of traveler for profit.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hidden costs in services.
Themes
exploitation
greed
hospitality
transaction
ethics
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- travel
- budgeting
- small business
- customer service
- price transparency
Key Concepts
capitalism
moral hazard
service industry
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure fairness in pricing?
- What costs are justified in hospitality?
A Different Perspective
Not all services are exploitative; many aim to genuinely help.