Attitude Quote by Edith Wharton
“There is too much sour grapes for my taste in the present American attitude. The time to denounce the bankers was when we were all feeding off their gold plate; not now! At present they have not only my sympathy but my preference. They are the last representatives of our native industries.”
About This Quote
The speaker criticizes contemporary American sentiment toward bankers, suggesting that earlier criticism would have been more justified, and now sees them as the remaining bastion of domestic industry.
In simple terms: Critique of shifting public opinion on bankers.
Key Takeaway
Timing of criticism matters.
Themes
politics
economics
nationalism
public opinion
history
Mood
skeptical
critical
reflective
Type
political
economic
cultural
When to use this quote
- discussing financial policy
- analyzing historical attitudes
- debating economic nationalism
Key Concepts
banking
American identity
economic power
social critique
Practical Applications
- historical analysis
- policy recommendation
Questions to Reflect On
- Why does the timing of criticism affect its legitimacy?
- What does the speaker imply about domestic industry?
