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Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little): 'Mornin', ma'am! And isn't it a lovely mornin'?' Old Woman: 'Up yours, nigger!' Jim 'The Waco Kid' (Gene Wilder) [consoling Bart afterwards]: 'What did you expect? 'Welcome, sonny'? 'Make yourself at home'? 'Marry my daughter'? You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers... these are people of the land... the common clay of the New West. You know - morons.'

Mel Brooks#3

WarInsultAcceptanceExpectationsPrejudiceReality

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About this quote

What does it mean?
Bart expects kindness but gets hostility; his friend comforts him by calling the townsfolk simpletons.
In plain terms
The sheriff is insulted, and his friend says the locals are just simple people.
What can you take from it?
Understanding your audience's background helps manage expectations.

Where it applies

  • traveling
  • social encounters
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • managing disappointment
  • dealing with hostility
  • understanding context

Questions to consider

  • What should you expect from strangers?
  • How do you handle rejection?

Another view

Calling people morons to just another form of disrespect.

More from Mel Brooks

  1. Jim 'The Waco Kid' (Gene Wilder): 'My name is Jim, most people call me... Jim.'

    Permalink to quote #2

  2. Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little): 'Excuse me while I whip this out.'

    Permalink to quote #4

  3. Chorus: 'Hope for the best. Expect the worst. / Life is a play. We're unrehearsed.'

    Permalink to quote #1

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