Affected Quote by Elizabeth Montagu
“Our collection of men is very antique, they stand in my list thus: A man of sense, a little rusty, a beau a good deal the worse for wearing, a coxcomb extremely shattered, a pretty gentleman very insipid, a baronet very solemn, a squire very fat, a fop much affected, a barrister learned in Coke upon Littleton, but who knows nothing of 'long ways for marry as will', an heir apparent, very awkward; which of these will cast a favourable eye upon me I don't know.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with a friend, 1775
A satirical list of men highlights their flaws and the uncertainty of gaining favor.
In simple terms: Mocking men’s flaws reveals social anxieties about approval.
Key Takeaway
Seek authentic connections over superficial approval.
Themes
social satire
self‑deprecation
courtship
Mood
wry
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- courtship negotiations
- social gatherings
- personal branding
- networking events
Key Concepts
human folly
status
appearance
Questions to Reflect On
- What qualities truly earn respect?
- How does humor affect social dynamics?
A Different Perspective
Satire may alienate rather than persuade.
![“[On an actor who'd broken her leg in London:] Oh, how terrible. She must have done it sliding down a barrister.” quote by Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/643/dorothy-parker-700_actors_on-an-actor-who-d-broken-her-leg-in-lond_1167451.jpg)
