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Cold water Quote by George du Maurier

“But you are not listening, sapperment! great big she-fool that you are—sheep’s-head! Dummkopf! Donnerwetter! you are looking at the chimney-pots when Svengali talks! Look a little lower down between the houses, on the other side of the river! There is a little ugly grey building there, and inside…” quote by George du Maurier
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““But you are not listening, sapperment! great big she-fool that you are—sheep’s-head! Dummkopf! Donnerwetter! you are looking at the chimney-pots when Svengali talks! Look a little lower down between the houses, on the other side of the river! There is a little ugly grey building there, and inside are eight slanting slabs of brass, all of a row, like beds in a school dormitory, and one fine day you shall lie asleep on one of those slabs—you, Drilpy, who would not listen to Svengali, and therefore lost him! … And over the middle of you will be a little leather apron, and over your head a little brass tap, and all day long and all night the cold water shall trickle, trickle, trickle all the way down your beautiful white body to your beautiful white feet till they turn green, and your poor, damp, draggled, muddy rags will hang above you from the ceiling for your friends to know you by; drip, drip, drip! But you will have no friends…. ‘And people of all sorts, strangers, will stare at you through the big plate-glass window—Englanders,””

George du Maurier

About This Quote

Source Literature: Satirical short story, 1890s (null)

A chaotic, vivid warning about ignoring warnings, leading to absurd, self‑inflicted punishment.

In simple terms: Ignoring advice leads to bizarre consequences.

Key Takeaway

Listen before acting rashly.

Themes

caution absurdity warning

Mood

sarcastic darkly humorous

Type

satirical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • personal decision making
  • risk assessment
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

satire social critique consequences

Questions to Reflect On

  • What warnings are you dismissing?
  • How could you respond more wisely?
A Different Perspective

May overstate danger, lacking constructive guidance.

3.0 out of 5 (4 ratings)

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