May not the complaint, that common people are above their station, often take its rise in the fact of uncommon people being below theirs?
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Complaints about common people exceeding their station may stem from exceptional people staying below theirs.
- In plain terms
- Maybe people are unhappy because talented ones are stuck.
- What can you take from it?
- Look at systemic barriers, not just individual failure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do talent and position sometimes mismatch?
- Who benefits from fixed stations?
Another view
It shifts blame from common people to exceptions.
More from Charles Dickens
A man in public life expects to be sneered at-it is the fault of his elevated sitiwation, and not of himself.
Permalink to quote #35 That sort of half sigh, which, accompanied by two or three slight nods of the head, is pity's small change in general society.
Permalink to quote #37 The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.
Permalink to quote #34
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