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I would prefer not to.
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“I would prefer not to.”

Herman Melville

Source
Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street
Date
1853
Meaning

Meaning of “I would prefer not to.”

Bartleby’s mild repeated refusal becomes the story’s central form of resistance, forcing the narrator to confront limits on authority, obligation and understanding.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Bartleby, the Scrivener, Project Gutenberg #11231. Bartleby speaks this line when the lawyer asks him to help examine copied documents; it is fictional character dialogue, not a general prescription to refuse work or obligations.

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Be YourselfBoundariesCommunicationDecisionIdentityIndependenceSelf RelianceSelf TrustSelf-Respect Quotes About Dignity & BoundariesShortThought-Provoking Quotes That Invite Reflection
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Source details

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Source details

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Source details

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Source details

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Source details

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Meaning & context

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Source details

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