Index of Popular Fallacies
POPULAR FALLACIES
A speech from the poorer
sort of people, which always indicates that the party vituperated
is a gentleman. The very fact which they deny, is that which galls
and exasperates them to use this language. The forbearance with
which it is usually received, is a proof what interpretation the
bystander sets upon it. Of a kin to this, and still less politic,
are the phrases with which, in their street rhetoric, they ply
one another more grossly -- He is a poor creature. -- He as not
a rag to cover -- -- &c.; though this last, we confess, is
more frequently applied by females to females. They do not perceive
that the satire glances upon themselves. A poor man, of all things
in the world, should not upbraid an antagonist with poverty. Are
there no other topics -- as, to tell him his father was hanged
-- his sister, &c. -- , without exposing a secret, which should
be kept snug between them; and doing an affront to the order to
which they have the honour equally to belong? All this while they
do not see how the wealthier man stands by and laughs in his sleeve
at both.