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Literary notes about Contemn (AI summary)

Writers employ "contemn" to convey a deliberate act of dismissing or holding something or someone in disdain, often highlighting a moral or intellectual high ground. In many works, the term underscores an attitude of scorn toward established ideas or social norms, as when critics reject certain linguistic forms or cultural practices ([1], [2]), and is also used to illustrate personal or philosophical repudiation, such as in moral meditations and classical writings ([3], [4]). The word's usage spans a variety of contexts—from the subtle onslaught of pride and rejection in political discourse ([5], [6]) to the more direct declaration of contempt in poetic and dramatic lines ([7], [8])—revealing its enduring capacity to encapsulate both individual defiance and broader societal criticism.
  1. I contemn, absolutely, this altering our fine old language into that jargon of Anglo-Saxon, Danish, Norman, and French, now yclept English.
    — from Gladys, the Reaper by Anne Beale
  2. If you despise my laws, and contemn my judgments so as not to do those things which are appointed by me, and to make void my covenant: 26:16.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  3. Learn now to contemn all earthly things, and then mayest thou freely go unto Christ.
    — from The Imitation of Christ by à Kempis Thomas
  4. Do, soul, do; abuse and contemn thyself; yet a while and the time IV.
    — from Meditations by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius
  5. Let others, my lovely Charmer, talk of a blind Being that disposes their Hearts, I contemn their low Images of Love.
    — from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
  6. one place long, [2189] Romae Tibur amo, ventosus Tybure Romam , that which we earnestly sought, we now contemn.
    — from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
  7. Had nature any outcast face, Could she a son contemn, Had nature an Iscariot, That mushroom, — it is him.
    — from Poems by Emily Dickinson, Three Series, Complete by Emily Dickinson
  8. 204 “What am I that thou shouldst contemn me this?
    — from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare

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