Bears Quote by William Shenstone
“I have been formerly so silly as to hope that every servant I had might be made a friend; I am now convinced that the nature of servitude generally bears a contrary tendency. People's characters are to be chiefly collected from their education and place in life; birth itself does but little.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Nature of Servitude” by William Shenstone, 1744
People’s roles and education shape character more than birth, making true friendship with servants unlikely.
In simple terms: Social status influences character more than birth.
Key Takeaway
Judge people by actions, not origins.
Themes
class
friendship
education
character
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- workplace
- family
- political alliances
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you form genuine bonds across social divides?
- What role does education play in shaping character?
A Different Perspective
Friendship can cross class lines despite tendencies.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)
