Trespassing Quote by Jerome K. Jerome
““We had just commenced the third course—the bread and jam—when a gentleman in shirt-sleeves and a short pipe came along, and wanted to know if we knew that we were trespassing. We said we hadn’t given the matter sufficient consideration as yet to enable us to arrive at a definite conclusion on that point, but that, if he assured us on his word as a gentleman that we were trespassing, we would, without further hesitation, believe it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome, 1889
A humorous scene where characters dodge a vague accusation by deferring judgment until a gentleman confirms it.
In simple terms: They avoid deciding until someone else tells them.
Key Takeaway
Seek clarification before acting.
Themes
humor
social etiquette
miscommunication
Mood
lighthearted
playful
Type
anecdotal
humorous
When to use this quote
- travel
- friendship
- encounters
- legal disputes
Key Concepts
absurdity
deference
authority
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you handle vague accusations?
- When is it wise to wait for authority?
A Different Perspective
The humor relies on absurd bureaucracy, which may not translate to serious contexts.
![“They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” quote by Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c0/jerome-k-jerome-1155_about-yourself_they-dogs-never-talk-about-themselves-bu_76454.jpg)
