--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your master is surly, from getting up…" description: "\"If your master is surly, from getting up early (And tempers are short in the morning), An inopportune joke is enough to provoke Him to give you, at onc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/w-s-gilbert-8102_enough_if-your-master-is-surly-from-getting-up_893204.jpg" --- # If your master is surly, from getting up early (And… ![“If your master is surly, from getting up early (And tempers are short in the morning), An inopportune joke is enough to provoke Him to give you, at once, a month's warning.” quote by W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/w-s-gilbert-8102_enough_if-your-master-is-surly-from-getting-up_893204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/w-s-gilbert-8102_enough_if-your-master-is-surly-from-getting-up_893204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/w-s-gilbert-8102_enough_if-your-master-is-surly-from-getting-up_893204.jpg) > “If your master is surly, from getting up early (And tempers are short in the morning), An inopportune joke is enough to provoke Him to give you, at once, a month's warning.” [W. S. Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A grumpy superior can be easily irritated by a minor joke, prompting an immediate harsh reprimand. **In simple terms:** A bad mood makes small jokes cause big trouble. Key Takeaway Avoid jokes when someone is already upset. Themes authority communication temperament Mood cautious reflective Type advice observational When to use this quote - workplace - family gatherings - morning meetings - customer service Key Concepts hierarchy emotional triggers Questions to Reflect On - Is your timing respectful of others’ moods? - How can you gauge someone’s temper before speaking? A Different Perspective If the superior’s mood improves, the joke may be harmless. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inopportune Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inopportune-joke-1169053/) [Joke Provoke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke-provoke-1169051/) [Jokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jokes/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Month Warning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/month-warning-1169054/) [Months](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/months/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Provoke Month](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provoke-month-1169052/) [Provoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provoking/) [Surly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surly/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Tempers Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tempers-short-1169055/) [Up early](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up-early/) [Warning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warning/) ## Related quotes > [It's a dirty little secret that most New Yorkers are pleasant, thoughtful, patient, and polite. 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