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About this quote

What does it mean?
Shaw defines breeding as behavior during conflict rather than general manners.
In plain terms
A person's upbringing shows when they fight, not just when they are polite.
What can you take from it?
Look at how people argue to judge their character.

Where it applies

  • arguments
  • disputes
  • social evaluation

Putting it to work

  • observe conflict
  • judge character
  • maintain dignity

Questions to consider

  • What is real breeding?
  • How do you handle fights?

Another view

Some people lose control in arguments regardless of upbringing.

More from George Bernard Shaw

  1. The fickleness of the women I love is only equaled by the infernal constancy of the women who love me.

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  2. People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and …

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  3. It's well to be off with the Old Woman before you're on with the New.

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