Business Quote by Amor Towles
““He had that certain confidence in his bearing, that democratic interest in his surroundings, and that understated presumption of friendliness that are only found in young men who have been raised in the company of money and manners. It didn't occur to people liek this that they might be unwelcome in a new environment - and as a result they rarely were.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, Amor Towles, 2015
Wealthy upbringing can create an unearned sense of entitlement, making newcomers feel unwelcome.
In simple terms: Privilege can blind empathy.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and awareness.
Themes
privilege
social class
empathy
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- networking events
- workplace onboarding
- college dorms
Key Concepts
psychology
social behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you check your assumptions about others?
- What steps foster inclusive environments?
A Different Perspective
Not all privileged people act this way; context matters.
![“There's probably a certain confidence in your voice, or something, that is validated. You know what I mean? I'm just imagining if people didn't already say that you were cool, that you'd [have] more doubt in what you're doing. That's not so conscious, but that's part of my cosmology now.” quote by Stephen Malkmus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3de/stephen-malkmus-2984_certain_there-s-probably-a-certain-confidence-in_1712434.jpg)
![“[S]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once, for example, when I was just starting out in the food business, I was hired by the caper people to develop a lot of recipes using capers, and it was weeks of…” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d79/nora-ephron-1217_business_s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-th_980.jpg)
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)