I paid the cabman exactly his fare. He received it with an…
““I paid the cabman exactly his fare. He received it with an oath; upon which I instantly gave him a tract. If I had presented a pistol at his head, this abandoned wretch could hardly have exhibited greater consternation. He jumped up on his box, and, with profane exclamations of dismay, drove off furiously. Quite useless, I am happy to say! I sowed the good seed, in spite of him, by throwing a second tract in at the window of the cab.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A man tries to spread a moral message, but the recipient reacts violently, showing that good intentions can be met with hostility.
In simple terms: Trying to help can provoke anger.
Key Takeaway
Expect resistance when sharing ideas.
Themes
morality
communication
conflict
intentions
Mood
frustrated
determined
reflective
Type
advice
cautionary
literary
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- door‑to‑door outreach
- activism
- teaching
- counseling
Key Concepts
social influence
rejection
persistence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle hostility when sharing your values?
- What strategies can reduce defensive reactions?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone will receive your message positively, and aggression may arise.