Brown hair Quote by H. M. Hoover
““The two eyed each other, each through her own prejudices. The woman was tall and powerfully built, although her dark uniform made her look smaller. Her brown hair had gone fuzzy in the sea wind, bushing out and making her face look even more like a bright-eyed potato. She outweighed Merry by a hundred pounds, and her strong hands could have crushed a throat with ease. There were tales of mad bodyguards who’d turned on their employers. Merry sometimes thought of those stories when she looked at Worth. The woman saw just another child, featureless—her job. At least this one was polite, but then quite often her type used manners to mask contempt, as this one’s parents did. But that was part of the job, putting up with their attitude. At least the pay was good and the living quarters better than most. For that she could put up with listening to this kid whose idea of casual conversation was telling you about some stupid old book she’d read or some boring fact she’d learned. But then most members of the ruling class were a little crazy.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Untitled manuscript, 2023
Powerful individuals often mask contempt with politeness, while their subordinates endure harsh realities and strange hierarchies.
In simple terms: Authority hides disdain behind courtesy.
Question appearances and power dynamics.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace
- military
- political regimes
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize hidden contempt?
- What can you do when faced with abusive authority?
Politeness can be a tool for manipulation, not genuine respect.