How convenient it would be to many of our great men and great families of doubtful origin, could they have the privilege of the heroes of yore, who, whenever their origin was involved in obscurity, modestly announced themselves descended from a god.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The quote satirizes those with doubtful origins who might wish to claim noble or divine ancestry to legitimize themselves.
- In plain terms
- People with unclear backgrounds might wish they could claim to be descendants of gods.
- What can you take from it?
- Claiming noble ancestry can legitimize questionable origins.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people claim noble roots?
- Does origin define worth?
Another view
Many people have no way to verify their ancestry.
More from Washington Irving
There is an eloquence in true enthusiasm that is not to be doubted.
Permalink to quote #6 Who ever hears of fat men heading a riot, or herding together in turbulent mobs? - No - no, 'tis your lean, hungry men who are continually worrying society, an…
Permalink to quote #8 Free-livers on a small scale, who are prodigal within the compass of a guinea.
Permalink to quote #5
Related quotes
'Naturally,' observed Nikolai Petrovich, 'you were born here, so everything is bound to strike you with a special -' 'Really, Daddy, it makes absolutely no dif…
Ivan TurgenevIvan Turgenev quote #1 I know Not these my hands And yet I think there was A woman like me once had hands Like these.
Adelaide CrapseyAdelaide Crapsey quote #4 I can't see the sense in it [his honorary CBE] really. It makes me a Commander of the British Empire. They might as well make me a Commander of Milton Keynes -…
Spike MilliganSpike Milligan quote #10