Contempt Quote by Edith Wharton
““Well--there it was, and the fault was doubtless neither hers nor his, but that of the world they had grown up in, of their own moral contempt for it and physical dependence on it, of his half-talents and her half-principles, of the something in them both that was not stout enough to resist nor yet pliant enough to yield.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, 1905
The characters are trapped by societal expectations and their own moral failings, unable to fully resist or adapt to the world around them.
In simple terms: People are limited by society and personal flaws.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge limiting norms.
Themes
society
morality
conflict
identity
dependence
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- career decisions
- ethical dilemmas
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
social critique
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societal pressures shape your choices?
- Can you find strength despite moral contempt?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate determinism, ignoring personal agency.
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}
