You Never Can Tell : Quotations

Quotations

 It’s the unexpected that always happens, isn’t it? You never can tell, sir: you never can tell.

This quote means that life is full of surprises, and things don’t always go as expected. People often try to predict what will happen, but the future is uncertain. The phrase “You never can tell” shows that events in life are unpredictable. It’s a reminder that no one can fully control what happens. This idea fits well with the characters’ unexpected discoveries and changing relationships in the play You Never Can Tell. The quote highlights the theme of uncertainty in life.

It’s unwise to be born; it’s unwise to be married; it’s unwise to live; and it’s unwise to die.

This quote reflects a pessimistic view of life, where every major life event is seen as risky or harmful. The speaker suggests that existence—being born, getting married, living, and dying—comes with challenges and difficulties. It expresses a deep cynicism about the inevitability of pain and hardship. Shaw uses this line to humorously criticize how people always face problems, no matter what they do. It reflects a cynical attitude toward life and its struggles.

We don’t bother much about dress and manners in England, because as a nation we don’t dress well and we’ve no manners.

This quote humorously criticizes England’s lack of concern for fashion and etiquette. It suggests that, as a country, the English do not care about dressing well or showing proper manners. Shaw uses this line to poke fun at British society’s relaxed and informal attitude. It’s a playful jab at how the English are often seen as ignoring social rules regarding appearance and behavior.

How many times he has laid the trap in which he has caught you; how often he has baited it with the same speeches; how much practice it has taken to make him perfect in his chosen part in life as the Duelist of Sex.

This quote describes how someone repeatedly uses the same tactics to manipulate others in romantic relationships. The speaker refers to these tactics as a “trap,” baited with familiar speeches, showing how practiced the person is at playing the “Duelist of Sex.” It emphasizes how some individuals become skilled at using charm and rehearsed lines to win over others. Shaw critiques the performative nature of love, showing how relationships can often feel like a rehearsed game where people try to outsmart each other.

Nature was in deadly earnest with me when I was in jest with her.

This quote shows how nature was serious while the speaker was taking things lightly. It means that the speaker underestimated nature’s power or consequences. The speaker was playful, but nature acted with real force or intention. Shaw uses this to highlight how humans sometimes overlook the seriousness of natural forces, thinking they can play with them without consequences. It reflects that nature always has the upper hand, even when people take it casually.

No, no, no. Not love: we know better than that. Let’s call it Chemistry.

This quote humorously downplays the idea of romantic love by reducing it to mere “chemistry,” or biological attraction. The speaker mocks the traditional, emotional view of love, suggesting instead that it’s simply a natural reaction between two people, like a scientific process. Shaw uses this line to challenge the romanticized concept of love, implying that what people often call love is, in fact, just a physical or instinctual connection. It reflects a more logical and detached view of human relationships.

We don’t bother much about dress and manners in England, because as a nation we don’t dress well and we’ve no manners.

This quote humorously critiques the English for their casual attitude towards dressing and manners. The speaker suggests that the English don’t prioritize style or etiquette because, as a nation, they generally don’t dress well and lack proper manners. Shaw uses this line to poke fun at British society’s informal nature, implying that it doesn’t care much about outward appearances or social graces. It reflects a playful criticism of national character, highlighting how certain social expectations are overlooked.