Presently I shall be introduced as 'this venerable old gentleman' and the axe will fall when they raise me to the degree of 'grand old man'. That means on our continent any one with snow-white hair who has kept out of jail till eighty.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Reaching the status of a 'grand old man' means you are old and lucky enough to have avoided prison.
- In plain terms
- Being old and out of jail makes you respectable.
- What can you take from it?
- Reputation depends on avoiding trouble.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes someone respectable?
Another view
It equates freedom from jail with moral virtue.
More from Stephen Leacock
My parents migrated to Canada in 1876, and I decided to go with them.
Permalink to quote #4 The Lord said 'Let there be wheat' and Saskatchewan was born.
Permalink to quote #6 The rushing of his spirit from its prison-house was as rapid as a hunted cat passing over a garden fence.
Permalink to quote #3
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