If a man's character is to be abused, say what you will, there's nobody like a relation to do the business.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Family members often know the most damaging secrets and are most likely to expose them.
- In plain terms
- Relatives are the best at abusing a person's character.
- What can you take from it?
- Family closeness enables character assassination.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do family members always have the most power to hurt?
Another view
Not all family members are inclined to abuse character.
More from William Makepeace Thackeray
Whenever he met a great man he grovelled before him, and my-lorded him as only a free-born Briton can do.
Permalink to quote #24 Them's my sentiments.
Permalink to quote #26 Some cynical Frenchman has said that there are two parties to a love-transaction: the one who loves and the other who condescends to be so treated.
Permalink to quote #23
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