Bullying Quote by Guy de Maupassant
““Her husband was not malicious, but he did bully, though without anger or animosity, as do petty tyrants who think that giving orders means swearing. In front of any stranger he behaved himself, but in his family he let himself go and pretended to be terrible although he was really scared of everybody.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Husband” by Guy de Maupassant, 1885
A man appears calm outwardly but becomes abusive at home, using intimidation to mask his own fear.
In simple terms: He bullies his family while pretending confidence, hiding his insecurity.
Recognize that aggression often hides personal insecurity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage
- parenting
- workplace
- social gatherings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people act differently when unobserved?
- How can victims safely address hidden abuse?
Aggression may stem from deeper fear, not true dominance.