Quote of the Day: No Apologies

 

“I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.” – Elizabeth Bennet to Lady Catherine de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

Jane Austen not only anticipated the “me too” movement in Pride and Prejudice, but also a “cancel culture” of a sort. Surely Lady Catherine assumed she had within her power the capacity to destroy Elizabeth Bennet’s hopes for marrying her nephew, perhaps as well as her reputation. And she might have if Elizabeth had apologized and deferred to her demands. Yet she held herself as an equal to her opponent and refused to acquiesce to a lady who believed herself to be the very embodiment of wealth, establishment, and propriety. It seems to me that this response, or the modern equivalent, should be the statement of anyone faced with unjust demands for an apology.

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    • #1
  2. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    • #2
  3. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    John Cena just grovelled to China for the offense of implying that Taiwan is a country. His apology was not accepted. In addition, his tough-guy image is shattered everywhere else. 

    So much for the Fast and Furious franchise.

    • #3
  4. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    “The mob always needs fresh bodies.”

    • #4
  5. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Does John Cena’s livelihood so depend? That is the question. I know nothing about him but it sounds as if his livelihood is not at risk. Maybe the continued growth of his wealth would be at risk but isn’t that exactly the issue here. This is why America’s founders are so admired.

    • #5
  6. She Member
    She
    @She

    Good on you, Lizzie Bennet, for telling the old bat to go to hell!  

    ***

    This is the Quote of the Day. June’s sign-up sheet is here, and the days are going fast.  Get ’em while they’re hot!

    If you’re new at this game, it’s a easy way to get your feet wet and start a conversation; if you’re an old-timer, you already know the ropes.  Either way, please sign up to speak up.

    Another ongoing project to encourage new voices is our Group Writing Project. May’s theme is “May Day, Mayday, May Days.” And today, May 29 is still available.  If you’d like to weigh in, please sign up for Group Writing too!

    • #6
  7. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Is it sexist to assume that you haven’t read P&P? The central problem in the story is that the family estate is entailed to the detestable Mr. Collins. The five daughters have very little hope of marrying well or at all and they face destitution when their father dies. At the point when Lizzie utters the quote above, only her youngest sister has been married. The circumstances of that marriage are less than reputable, and it is not looking promising for the rest of the Bennet girls. They’ll have no means or way of earning a living. Sucking up to Lady Catherine would seem a smart move, much like apologizing to China in Mandarin. But she doesn’t do it. And it turns out that her defiance is what ultimately seals the deal for Mr. Darcy, thus securing a very promising marriage for her sister and herself. Yes, it’s fiction, but it’s a time-tested great novel because it reveals the truth of character as destiny. 

    • #7
  8. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Is it sexist to assume that you haven’t read P&P? The central problem in the story is that the family estate is entailed to the detestable Mr. Collins. The five daughters have very little hope of marrying well or at all and they face destitution when their father dies. At the point when Lizzie utters the quote above, only her youngest sister has been married. The circumstances of that marriage are less than reputable, and it is not looking promising for the rest of the Bennet girls. They’ll have no means or way of earning a living. Sucking up to Lady Catherine would seem a smart move, much like apologizing to China in Mandarin. But she doesn’t do it. And it turns out that her defiance is what ultimately seals the deal for Mr. Darcy, thus securing a very promising marriage for her sister and herself. Yes, it’s fiction, but it’s a time-tested great novel because it reveals the truth of character as destiny.

    Not sexist, but wrong.  I’ve read it a couple of times, listened to it several times, and watched the BBC production of it several times.  I personally can be as indifferent or defiant as I want.  There will be no consequences.  Others are perhaps not so fortunate.

    • #8
  9. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Is it sexist to assume that you haven’t read P&P?

    Not sexist, but wrong. I’ve read it a couple of times, listened to it several times, and watched the BBC production of it several times. I personally can be as indifferent or defiant as I want. There will be no consequences. Others are perhaps not so fortunate.

    Fantastic! I agree, it’s not so easy to be like Lizzie. Just hoping to point out her example for others who might need the encouragement.

    I am looking for a good audio version for my upcoming road trip. Any recommendations? Audible offers a version read by Rosamund Pike, and it seems fine but I have only listened to the beginning so far. 

    • #9
  10. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    My particular version is read by Lindsey Duncan.  I’m not sure how I came by it.

    • #10
  11. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Is it sexist to assume that you haven’t read P&P?

    Not sexist, but wrong. I’ve read it a couple of times, listened to it several times, and watched the BBC production of it several times. I personally can be as indifferent or defiant as I want. There will be no consequences. Others are perhaps not so fortunate.

    Fantastic! I agree, it’s not so easy to be like Lizzie. Just hoping to point out her example for others who might need the encouragement.

    I am looking for a good audio version for my upcoming road trip. Any recommendations? Audible offers a version read by Rosamund Pike, and it seems fine but I have only listened to the beginning so far.

    Try your library and get it for free. My library has six audio versions.

    • #11
  12. Lilly B Coolidge
    Lilly B
    @LillyB

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Lilly B (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    I think that you are right. There is no forgiveness from the online mob. Either indifference or defiance would be better.

    I agree in principle, but there are people whose livelihoods prohibit either indifference or defiance.

    Is it sexist to assume that you haven’t read P&P?

    Not sexist, but wrong. I’ve read it a couple of times, listened to it several times, and watched the BBC production of it several times. I personally can be as indifferent or defiant as I want. There will be no consequences. Others are perhaps not so fortunate.

    Fantastic! I agree, it’s not so easy to be like Lizzie. Just hoping to point out her example for others who might need the encouragement.

    I am looking for a good audio version for my upcoming road trip. Any recommendations? Audible offers a version read by Rosamund Pike, and it seems fine but I have only listened to the beginning so far.

    Try your library and get it for free. My library has six audio versions.

    Thanks! The Rosamund Pike version comes with my audible membership. I have used library audio books before, but I moved during the pandemic and the library has not been welcoming. Maybe they are now. 

    • #12
  13. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    It’s interesting how the two posts–yours and that of @omegapaladin –fit together today. I’ve been reading the Acts of the Apostles slowly, a few verses a day, for the past month through the YouTube-presented interpretation of Matt Whitman and his Ten Minute Bible Hour. The tyrants are part of our human existence, whether we are working in a lab handling dangerous chemicals and pathogens or we are afraid of financial destitution or we are facing angry hordes who are trying to kill us because we believe something they don’t. 

    I’m thinking of Jordan Peterson too. His message to the world is to bravely tell the truth no matter what. That is the most important thing we can do as human beings. 

    I think what pulls all of these circumstances together is that faith in God should help us through them and strengthen our resolve. 

    • #13
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