--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men will consider deeply before they buy…" description: "\"“Men will consider deeply before they buy a tie or choose a meal; but when it comes to throwing aside their purpose in life, possibly life itself, they..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/elizabeth-jane-howard-13147_death_men-will-consider-deeply-before-they-buy_1219564.jpg" --- # Men will consider deeply before they buy a tie or choose a… ![“Men will consider deeply before they buy a tie or choose a meal; but when it comes to throwing aside their purpose in life, possibly life itself, they do not think at all. They consent to be marshalled, controlled, exposed to unimagined shock, mutilation and death, with barely a tremor, and their…” quote by Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/elizabeth-jane-howard-13147_death_men-will-consider-deeply-before-they-buy_1219564.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/elizabeth-jane-howard-13147_death_men-will-consider-deeply-before-they-buy_1219564.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/838/elizabeth-jane-howard-13147_death_men-will-consider-deeply-before-they-buy_1219564.jpg) > ““Men will consider deeply before they buy a tie or choose a meal; but when it comes to throwing aside their purpose in life, possibly life itself, they do not think at all. They consent to be marshalled, controlled, exposed to unimagined shock, mutilation and death, with barely a tremor, and their reasons for complying, if indeed they have any, would comparen most shamefully with their reasons for doing anything else.”” [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often overthink trivial choices but ignore existential threats, leading to blind compliance with harmful systems. **In simple terms:** We overthink small stuff, ignore big dangers. Key Takeaway Question the purpose behind your actions. Themes consumerism existential risk conformity obedience Mood cautionary reflective Type philosophical critical inspirational When to use this quote - political activism - personal decision‑making - media consumption - education - healthcare Key Concepts psychology political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - Why do we ignore major risks? - How can we become more aware of hidden dangers? A Different Perspective The quote may overgeneralize human behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-itself/) [Purpose In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-in-life/) ## Related quotes > [To think well and to consent to obey someone giving good advice are the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herodotus/to-think-well-and-to-consent-to-obey-someone-giving-good-advice-are/) [Herodotus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herodotus/) > [“If the idea of loving those whom you have been taught to recognize as your enemies is too overwhelming, consider more deeply the observation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aberjhani/if-the-idea-of-loving-those-whom-you-have-been-taught-to-recognize-as/) [Aberjhani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aberjhani/) > [I really don't think I could consent to go to Heaven if I thought there were no animals there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-really-don-t-think-i-could-consent-to-go-to-heaven-if-i-thought/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Indeed, I am sometimes inclined to doubt whether some men consider youth as rational and intelligent beings, with minds capable of expansion, and talents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-lancaster/indeed-i-am-sometimes-inclined-to-doubt-whether-some-men-consider/) [Joseph Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-lancaster/) > [Another real danger to young men is thoughtlessness and lack of consideration. Lack of thought is one simple reason why thousands of souls are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/another-real-danger-to-young-men-is-thoughtlessness-and-lack-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Did men but consider that the sun, moon, and stars, and every other object of the senses, are only so many sensations in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-berkeley/did-men-but-consider-that-the-sun-moon-and-stars-and-every-other/) [George Berkeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-berkeley/) > [“If men were to consider what they were at - if if they were to look around them, and reflect upon the cost of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/if-men-were-to-consider-what-they-were-at-if-if-they-were-to-look/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [“most men consider their rationally selected actions are in fact idiosyncratic responses that have grown strong enough, through repeated use, to overpower other urges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-carr/most-men-consider-their-rationally-selected-actions-are-in-fact/) [Caleb Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-carr/) > [It would be an unspeakable advantage, both to the public and private, if men would consider that great truth, that no man is wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-raleigh/it-would-be-an-unspeakable-advantage-both-to-the-public-and-private/) [Walter Raleigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-raleigh/) > [If men would consider not so much where they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/if-men-would-consider-not-so-much-where-they-differ-as-wherein-they/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“God created each of us with different traits and characteristics, but regardless of what they may be, know that He made you perfect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/god-created-each-of-us-with-different-traits-and-characteristics-but/) [Augusta DeJuan Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/) > [The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to-have-in-common-is-to-give/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore. I believe we are all given gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/i-used-to-believe-the-purpose-in-life-is-to-find-happiness-i-don-t/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings… Select something like music, dance, sculpture, or poetry. Being creative will help you enjoy life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/attempt-to-be-creative-for-the-joy-it-brings-select-something-like/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [When you find your purpose in life, nurture it and make it grow so that when you look back you will not regret living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-m/when-you-find-your-purpose-in-life-nurture-it-and-make-it-grow-so/) Pamela M ## More by Elizabeth Jane Howard > [“Why do these big old country houses always have family portraits in the dining room? Do you really want to eat with someone's gloomy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/why-do-these-big-old-country-houses-always-have-family-portraits-in/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [A rainy day is like a lovely gift -- you can sleep late and not feel guilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/a-rainy-day-is-like-a-lovely-gift-you-can-sleep-late-and-not-feel/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“Sex on a rainy afternoon is like getting all the gloom and wetness to go away for a while. And afterwards you don't even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/sex-on-a-rainy-afternoon-is-like-getting-all-the-gloom-and-wetness-to/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [I have lived my life in the slipstream of experience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/i-have-lived-my-life-in-the-slipstream-of-experience/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“It seemed awful that the only things she knew about him were those that made him miserable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/it-seemed-awful-that-the-only-things-she-knew-about-him-were-those/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“You can't oversleep if you don't make plans to wake up early.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/you-can-t-oversleep-if-you-don-t-make-plans-to-wake-up-early/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“Charity couldn't bring herself to cry on Lady Beddington's shoulder -- not until after she'd mopped up a plate or two of spaghetti with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/charity-couldn-t-bring-herself-to-cry-on-lady-beddington-s-shoulder/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“Sir Humphrey looked like a sleepy old hippo -- and when he yawned in that big, big, hippopotamus way Charity couldn't help doing likewise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/sir-humphrey-looked-like-a-sleepy-old-hippo-and-when-he-yawned-in/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“Sir Humphrey's stories about Africa made Charity feel exactly like one of his stuffed trophy heads -- lifeless and glassy eyed. The only difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/sir-humphrey-s-stories-about-africa-made-charity-feel-exactly-like/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [Holidays were invented so single women could overeat without feeling guilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/holidays-were-invented-so-single-women-could-overeat-without-feeling/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [You can't run from feelings, Charity. You have to face them. Otherwise your future will look just like your past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/you-can-t-run-from-feelings-charity-you-have-to-face-them-otherwise/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [It's not a luxury if you can't do without it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/it-s-not-a-luxury-if-you-can-t-do-without-it/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“What I like about limousines is they have tinted windows, so no-one can see if you're snogging in the back seat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/what-i-like-about-limousines-is-they-have-tinted-windows-so-no-one/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [“She looked as though everything that she didn't like had happened to her.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/she-looked-as-though-everything-that-she-didn-t-like-had-happened-to/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) > [A massage is just like a movie, really relaxing and a total escape, except in a massage you're the star. And you don't miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-jane-howard/a-massage-is-just-like-a-movie-really-relaxing-and-a-total-escape/) [Elizabeth Jane Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) [Explore all 51 Elizabeth Jane Howard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-jane-howard/) ## More Consent quotes > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [“When a lady does consent to listen to an argument against her own opinions, she is always predetermined to withstand it - to listen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bronte/when-a-lady-does-consent-to-listen-to-an-argument-against-her-own/) [Anne Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bronte/) > [But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/but-a-most-pernicious-error-widely-prevails-that-scripture-has-only/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Well I think that what we're seeing now is that the people feel like they, the people in Congress don't have their consent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/well-i-think-that-what-we-re-seeing-now-is-that-the-people-feel-like/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Even if a civil society were to be dissolved by the consent of all its members (e.g., if a people inhabiting an island decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/even-if-a-civil-society-were-to-be-dissolved-by-the-consent-of-all/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [We live in an age rather skeptical of truth, of its existence." There is a "tendency to believe that nothing is definitive, and think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/we-live-in-an-age-rather-skeptical-of-truth-of-its-existence-there-is/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“Silence does not mean yes. No can be thought and felt but never said. It can be screamed silently on the inside. It can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-reed/silence-does-not-mean-yes-no-can-be-thought-and-felt-but-never-said/) [Amy Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-reed/) > [I can never consent to being dictated to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tyler/i-can-never-consent-to-being-dictated-to/) [John Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tyler/) > [When all moves equally (says Pascal), nothing seems to move as in a vessel under sail; and when all run by common consent into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/when-all-moves-equally-says-pascal-nothing-seems-to-move-as-in-a/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [“There are some wounds unreachable by words, some sins immune to apology.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hatvany/there-are-some-wounds-unreachable-by-words-some-sins-immune-to-apology/) [Amy Hatvany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hatvany/) > [Many people do not realize that where unions have bargaining rights employers cannot raise wages or improve benefit plans any more than they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-e-wilson/many-people-do-not-realize-that-where-unions-have-bargaining-rights/) [Charles E. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-e-wilson/) > [Fate does not seek our consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-goodkind/fate-does-not-seek-our-consent/) [Terry Goodkind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-goodkind/) > [That is a list of the Territories that yielded to Ebon Askavi. They now stand within the shadow of the Keep. They are mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bishop/that-is-a-list-of-the-territories-that-yielded-to-ebon-askavi-they/) [Anne Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bishop/) [Browse all 676 Consent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Men will consider deeply before they buy a tie or choose a meal; but when it comes to throwing aside their purpose in life, possibly life itself, they do not think at all. 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