Association Quote by William James
“Hardly ever can a youth transferred to the society of his betters unlearn the nasality and other vices of speech bred in him by the associations of his growing years. Hardly ever, indeed, no matter how much money there be in his pocket, can he ever learn to dress like a gentleman-born. The merchants offer their wares as eagerly to him as to the veriest swell, but he simply cannot buy the right things.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, William James, 1890
Social class and speech habits are hard to change despite wealth or effort.
In simple terms: Changing speech and style is difficult for those raised in lower classes.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of social mobility.
Themes
class
speech
social mobility
education
identity
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- social integration
- personal branding
Key Concepts
sociology
linguistics
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you change deep habits without environment change?
- What role does community play in personal transformation?
A Different Perspective
Wealth cannot instantly change ingrained habits.
![“[T]here are, at bottom, basically two ways to order social affairs, Coercively, through the mechanisms of the state - what we can call political society. And voluntarily, through the private interaction of individuals and associations - what we can call civil society. ... In a civil society, you…” quote by Ed Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b8b/ed-crane-39299_affair_t-here-are-at-bottom-basically-two-ways_34431.jpg)
