Nobody's wrong but England - and England's always wrong, Too late - or else too early - too soft - or else too strong. And when for once the wide world begins to praise her name Her own sons crowd and hurry to shout her back to shame.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- England is depicted as chronically inconsistent and quick to shame itself even when praised.
- In plain terms
- England is always wrong or too late, and its own people criticize it harshly.
- What can you take from it?
- National self-criticism can be relentless even in success.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is self-criticism healthy?
- When does praise feel undeserved?
Another view
Healthy self-criticism can be a strength not a flaw.
More from A. P. Herbert
Let's stop somebody from doing something! Everybody does too much.
Permalink to quote #5 There's alcohol in plant and tree. It must be Nature's plan That there should be in fair degree Some alcohol in Man.
Permalink to quote #7 As my poor father used to say In 1863, Once people start on all this Art Goodbye, moralitee!
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
England is perhaps the only great country whose intellectuals are ashamed of their own nationality. In left-wing circles it is always felt that there is someth…
George OrwellGeorge Orwell quote #12 We're ashamed of what we are. That's why we feel that we have to get rid of the values of our glorious history and run to learn from other, new nations. Don't …
Lev LevievLev Leviev quote #1 The America of Moctezuma and Atahualpa, the aromatic America of Columbus, Catholic America, Spanish America, the America where noble Cuauhtemoc said: 'I am not…
Ruben DarioRuben Dario quote #2