The time be gone forever when the like of me's to suck thy arse 'cause of a poxy title which like as not were gifted first to a king's whore, a king's bastard, or buyed by knife in a king's back.
In James Clavell's novel "Tai-Pan," the quote reflects a character's disdain for titles and the social hierarchies associated with them. The speaker expresses a deep-seated frustration with the idea that a title can grant superiority, especially when such titles are often inherited from disreputable sources, including questionable relationships or violent means.
This sentiment reveals a broader critique of aristocratic privileges, suggesting that respect and honor should not be conferred through mere titles but should be earned through merit and character. The quote encapsulates a longing for a more egalitarian society, one where worth is determined by individual actions rather than ancestral lineage.
