--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Kate is an avid reader of fiction and…" description: "\"“Kate is an avid reader of fiction and came across a quote from Anthony Trollope’s novel Barchester Towers. I believe it explains why I did not kill Sh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/537/david-bagby-30443_books_kate-is-an-avid-reader-of-fiction-and-ca_1890949.jpg" --- # Kate is an avid reader of fiction and came across a quote… ![“Kate is an avid reader of fiction and came across a quote from Anthony Trollope’s novel Barchester Towers. I believe it explains why I did not kill Shirley: “A man in the right relies easily on his rectitude and therefore goes about unarmed. His very strength is his weakness. A man in the wrong…” quote by David Bagby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/537/david-bagby-30443_books_kate-is-an-avid-reader-of-fiction-and-ca_1890949.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/537/david-bagby-30443_books_kate-is-an-avid-reader-of-fiction-and-ca_1890949.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/537/david-bagby-30443_books_kate-is-an-avid-reader-of-fiction-and-ca_1890949.jpg) > ““Kate is an avid reader of fiction and came across a quote from Anthony Trollope’s novel Barchester Towers. I believe it explains why I did not kill Shirley: “A man in the right relies easily on his rectitude and therefore goes about unarmed. His very strength is his weakness. A man in the wrong knows that he must look to his weapons; his very weakness is his strength. The one is never prepared for combat, the other is always ready. Therefore it is that in this world the man that is in the wrong almost invariably conquers the man that is in the right, and invariably despises him.” Responses”” [David Bagby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bagby/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contrasts the complacency of moral righteousness with the preparedness of those who recognize their own flaws, suggesting the latter often prevail. **In simple terms:** Right‑handed complacency is a weakness; left‑handed vigilance is strength. Key Takeaway Stay aware of your limits. Themes power ethics vigilance Mood cautious critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - negotiation - personal development - ethical decision‑making - risk management Key Concepts moral philosophy conflict self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - When does confidence become complacency? - How can you balance integrity with preparedness? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on moral confidence can blind one to real threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Kill Shirley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-shirley-2730798/) [Novel Barchester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-barchester-2730799/) [Unarmed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unarmed/) [Unarmed Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unarmed-strength-2730800/) [Weakness Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness-man-1379630/) ## Related quotes > [“When a nation which has long groaned under the intolerable yoke of a tyrant rises at last and throws off its chains, do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/when-a-nation-which-has-long-groaned-under-the-intolerable-yoke-of-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“The Savior ‘knoweth the weakness of man’ (D&C 62:1). 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A man in the wrong knows that he must look to his weapons; his very weakness is his strength. The one is never prepared for combat, the other is always ready. 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