Bastards Quote by Emile Zola
“Respectable people... What bastards!”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Germinal, 1885
The quote critiques the hypocrisy of respectable individuals who act immorally, highlighting the thin line between social status and ethical conduct.
In simple terms: Respectable people can be morally corrupt.
Key Takeaway
Question appearances, value integrity.
Themes
hypocrisy
social critique
morality
class tension
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
skeptical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- corporate ethics
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
ethical relativism
social façade
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true respectability?
- How do you confront hypocrisy?
A Different Perspective
Not all respectable people are corrupt; context matters.
