All 13 Uses of
meddle
in
Don Quixote
- "I know nothing about omecils," answered Sancho, "nor in my life have had anything to do with one; I only know that the Holy Brotherhood looks after those who fight in the fields, and in that other matter I do not meddle."†
Chpt 1.9-10 *meddle = interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
- for God's sake hold thy tongue, Sancho, and henceforward keep to prodding thy ass and don't meddle in what does not concern thee; and understand with all thy five senses that everything I have done, am doing, or shall do, is well founded on reason and in conformity with the rules of chivalry, for I understand them better than all the world that profess them.†
Chpt 1.25-26
- In short he left me in such a condition that I have been until now in a hospital getting cured of the injuries which that rascally clown inflicted on me then; for all which your worship is to blame; for if you had gone your own way and not come where there was no call for you, nor meddled in other people's affairs, my master would have been content with giving me one or two dozen lashes, and would have then loosed me and paid me what he owed me; but when your worship abused him so out of measure, and gave him so many hard words, his anger was kindled; and as he could not revenge himself on you, as soon as he saw you had left hi†
Chpt 1.31-32meddled = interfered (in another's affairs or business); or handled (something that shouldn't be handled)
- Some say, 'mad but droll;' others, 'valiant but unlucky;' others, 'courteous but meddling,' and then they go into such a number of things that they don't leave a whole bone either in your worship or in myself.†
Chpt 2.1-2meddling = interfering (in another's affairs or business); or handling (something that shouldn't be handled)
- It ought to have been enough for you, ye scoundrels, to have changed the pearls of my lady's eyes into oak galls, and her hair of purest gold into the bristles of a red ox's tail, and in short, all her features from fair to foul, without meddling with her smell; for by that we might somehow have found out what was hidden underneath that ugly rind; though, to tell the truth, I never perceived her ugliness, but only her beauty, which was raised to the highest pitch of perfection by a mole she had on her right lip, like a moustache, with seven or eight red hairs like threads of gold, and more than a palm long.†
Chpt 2.9-10
- "Don't think of it, your worship," returned Sancho; "take my advice and never meddle with actors, for they are a favoured class; I myself have known an actor taken up for two murders, and yet come off scot-free; remember that, as they are merry folk who give pleasure, everyone favours and protects them, and helps and makes much of them, above all when they are those of the royal companies and under patent, all or most of whom in dress and appearance look like princes."†
Chpt 2.11-12meddle = interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
- Oh that I could see burnt and turned to ashes the first man that meddled with knight-errantry or at any rate the first who chose to be squire to such fools as all the knights-errant of past times must have been!†
Chpt 2.27-28meddled = interfered (in another's affairs or business); or handled (something that shouldn't be handled)
- "Who bade thee meddle in this, Sancho?" said Don Quixote.†
Chpt 2.37-38meddle = interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
- "Who, señor?" said Sancho; "I meddle for I have a right to meddle, as a squire who has learned the rules of courtesy in the school of your worship, the most courteous and best-bred knight in the whole world of courtliness; and in these things, as I have heard your worship say, as much is lost by a card too many as by a card too few, and to one who has his ears open, few words."†
Chpt 2.37-38
- "Who, señor?" said Sancho; "I meddle for I have a right to meddle, as a squire who has learned the rules of courtesy in the school of your worship, the most courteous and best-bred knight in the whole world of courtliness; and in these things, as I have heard your worship say, as much is lost by a card too many as by a card too few, and to one who has his ears open, few words."†
Chpt 2.37-38
- A reaping-hook fits my hand better than a governor's sceptre; I'd rather have my fill of gazpacho' than be subject to the misery of a meddling doctor who me with hunger, and I'd rather lie in summer under the shade of an oak, and in winter wrap myself in a double sheepskin jacket in freedom, than go to bed between holland sheets and dress in sables under the restraint of a government.†
Chpt 2.53-54meddling = interfering (in another's affairs or business); or handling (something that shouldn't be handled)
- Who asked thee to meddle in my affairs, or to inquire whether I am a wise man or a blockhead?†
Chpt 2.57-58meddle = interfere (in another's affairs or business); or handle (something that shouldn't be handled)
- Señor Don Quixote is in his full senses, and we who bear him company are not fools; virtue is to be honoured wherever it may be found; go, and bad luck to you, and don't meddle where you are not wanted.†
Chpt 2.61-62
Definition:
interfere (in another's affairs or business)
or:
get involved with something where involvement isn't warranted
or:
get involved with something where involvement isn't warranted