Mr. Llewellyn paused. Mr. Trout had begun to float about the room like something out of Swan Lake, and Mr. Llewellyn disapproved of this. He was apt to be a martinet in his dealings with his legal advisers, demanding that lawyers should behave like lawyers and leave eccentric dancing to the professionals. A man, he held, is either Fred Astaire or he is not Fred Astaire, and if he is not Fred Astaire he should not carry on like him.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- People should stay within their professional roles rather than imitate experts.
- In plain terms
- Lawyers should act like lawyers, not dancers.
- What can you take from it?
- Know your role and don't pretend to be someone else.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who decides appropriate behavior?
- Can roles ever overlap?
Another view
Rigid role definitions can stifle creativity and individuality.
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