Assholery Quote by Geoffrey Nunberg
““Culpable obtuseness. He should know better. That's one reason why we don't use the a-word, for example, of little children. They can merit the s-word, because there's a malignity that's innate in little kids sometimes, but you can't merit the a-word until you're old enough so that you ought to know better.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Language and Ethics Podcast, 2015
People are judged by actions appropriate to age; children can be blamed for innate mischief, but adults are expected to know better and thus bear harsher moral labels.
In simple terms: Adults are held to higher moral standards than children.
Key Takeaway
Recognize age‑based moral expectations.
Themes
responsibility
ethics
age
language
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- legal responsibility
- media commentary
- education
Key Concepts
moral development
social judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance empathy with accountability?
- When should moral language shift with age?
A Different Perspective
Adults may lack awareness of societal expectations, making judgment unfair.
