Decency Quote by John Kendrick Bangs
““Curious," it said. "What you call your decent self doesn't dare look me in the eye! What a mistake people make who say that the man who won't look you in the eye is not to be trusted! As if mere brazenness were a sign of honesty; really, the theory of decency is the most amusing thing in the world.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Curious Case of the Decent Self, 1905
The quote mocks the idea that avoiding eye contact signals dishonesty, suggesting that boldness isn’t synonymous with trustworthiness and that notions of decency are often absurd.
In simple terms: Avoiding eye contact isn’t proof of deceit; decency can be absurd.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about honesty and decency.
Themes
honesty
trust
social norms
perception
decency
Mood
skeptical
ironic
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- interpersonal interactions
- first impressions
- negotiations
- public speaking
Key Concepts
psychology
social behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you judge trustworthiness by eye contact?
- How can we assess honesty beyond superficial cues?
A Different Perspective
Some cultures view eye contact differently, so boldness may be misread.
![“as I [Eve] was the only cook in all Christendom at the time, the idea of not coming home to dinner never occurred to Adam... It is true that at times he criticised my cooking, but in view of certain ancestral limitations from which he suffered, I never had to sit quietly and listen to an…” quote by John Kendrick Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8e2/john-kendrick-bangs-25337_coming-home_as-i-eve-was-the-only-cook-in-all-christ_291313.jpg)
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