# Epigraph explained — The Arrow of Gold

> Chapter companion for The Arrow of Gold by Joseph Conrad.

## What happens

The chapter opens with a French epigraph from 'Caractères', suggesting that those who have only known polite and reasonable men either do not know man at all, or know him only halfway.

## Themes in this chapter

### Illusion vs. Reality

The epigraph hints at the deceptive nature of outward civility, contrasting surface politeness with deeper, less rational truths about human nature.

## Key lines

> Celui qui n’a connu que des hommes polis et raisonnables, ou ne connait pas l’homme, ou ne le connait qu’a demi.

He who has only known polite and reasonable men either does not know man at all, or knows him only halfway.

_The epigraph sets a tone of skepticism about surface appearances, suggesting that true understanding requires encountering the irrational or uncivilized side of humanity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_arrow_of_gold_se/chapters