--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Now, this pair,\" he waved the shoes he…" description: "\"“Now, this pair,\" he waved the shoes he held, \"are new. They haven't been walked a mile, and for new shoes like these I charge a talent, maybe a talent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/930/patrick-rothfuss-145_fashion_now-this-pair-he-waved-the-shoes-he-held_3193124.jpg" --- # Now, this pair," he waved the shoes he held, "are new… ![“Now, this pair," he waved the shoes he held, "are new. They haven't been walked a mile, and for new shoes like these I charge a talent, maybe a talent and two." He pointed at my feet. "Those shoes, on the other hand, are used, and I don't sell used shoes." He turned his back on me and started to…” quote by Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/930/patrick-rothfuss-145_fashion_now-this-pair-he-waved-the-shoes-he-held_3193124.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/930/patrick-rothfuss-145_fashion_now-this-pair-he-waved-the-shoes-he-held_3193124.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/930/patrick-rothfuss-145_fashion_now-this-pair-he-waved-the-shoes-he-held_3193124.jpg) > ““Now, this pair," he waved the shoes he held, "are new. They haven't been walked a mile, and for new shoes like these I charge a talent, maybe a talent and two." He pointed at my feet. "Those shoes, on the other hand, are used, and I don't sell used shoes." He turned his back on me and started to tidy his workbench rather aimlessly, humming to himself... I knew that he was trying to do me a favor, and a week ago I would have jumped at the opportunity for free shoes. But for some reason I didn't feel right about it. I quietly gathered up my things and left a pair of copper jots on his stool before I left. Why? Because pride is a strange thing, and because generosity deserves generosity in return. But mostly because it felt like the right thing to do, and that is reason enough.”” [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator refuses to accept free shoes, valuing pride and reciprocal generosity over easy gain. **In simple terms:** He chooses pride and fair exchange over free benefits. Key Takeaway Uphold personal integrity and reciprocity. Themes pride generosity ethics reciprocity Mood thoughtful contemplative Type philosophical narrative When to use this quote - business negotiations - gift-giving occasions - personal boundaries - community support Key Concepts moral philosophy personal values social exchange Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to accept help without feeling indebted? - How does pride influence ethical decisions? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence to pride may miss genuine help; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) ## Related quotes > [“This is nice,” she said. “They’re not very high, but I hate walking in them.” “What are?” “My shoes.” She held up a foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-tey/this-is-nice-she-said-they-re-not-very-high-but-i-hate-walking-in/) [Josephine Tey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-tey/) > [“Why? 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I knew that he was trying to do me a favor, and a week ago I would have jumped at the opportunity for free shoes. But for some reason I didn't feel right about it. I quietly gathered up my things and left a pair of copper jots on his stool before I left. Why? Because pride is a strange thing, and because generosity deserves generosity in return. 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