"It is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss,But that ........

English translation: it is understandable people will be dishonest to get something they don't deserve. However, I will not help them be dishonest!

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:"It is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss,But that I should have to kiss him back!
Selected answer:it is understandable people will be dishonest to get something they don't deserve. However, I will not help them be dishonest!
Entered by: Michael Powers (PhD)

02:12 Nov 16, 2007
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
English term or phrase: "It is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss,But that ........
 Several pirates offered Lawrence a guarantee of royalty from the sale of their editions if he would simply agree to authorize them. While this would not have made their editions any more legal, it would have served to make stiff-necked booksellers more ready to carry the books. However,, Lawrence was as opposed to this idea as he was to the idea of expurgating Lady Chatterly's Lover to appease the censor-happy publishers. He said, "It is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss. But that I should have to kiss him back-!" (Lawrence 8).

I want to konw the meaning of the last sentence!Thank you very much!
Shirley Fan
Local time: 16:42
it is understandable that people will be dishonest to improve the sale of their books. However, how
Explanation:
dare I be expected to reciprocate with the same dishonesty!!

Mike :)

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Note added at 7 mins (2007-11-16 02:20:08 GMT)
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In other words, pirates are willing to get a meaningless authorization and even pay for it if this means a greater sale of their books; however, the idea that Lawrence would have to stoop down to the same level of corruption disgusts him to no end. This idea of Lawrence being corrupt is expressed by, "But that I should have to kiss him [that is Judas] back!" referring to the fact that he is not ready to play ball with these dishonest, treasonous people.

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Note added at 5 days (2007-11-22 01:44:44 GMT)
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Certainly. In the Bible there is a story about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. While pretending to be Jesus's friend, in reality he was turning Jesus in to the Romans for his eventual execution. So, in the first part of the sentence, "it is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss ..." , what is being stated is everyone knows that Judas or whoever the person is in this case, is a hypocrite So in this case, he is comparing the pirates to Judas given their dishonesty, since even if they get permission of the author to sell the books under their own edition, it will still be illegal; however, with the author's permission more booksellers will help the pirates illegally sell these books. In other words, they want to make it look like they are legitimate, even though they are not.

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Note added at 5 days (2007-11-22 02:06:34 GMT)
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The second portion of it, "But that I should have to kiss him back" refers to the protagonist going along with the ruse to pretend like what is being done is legitimate. Of course the protagonist knows this is illegal and is offended that they offered him money (royalties) from the sale of their editions along as he is willing to be just as dishonest as they are and help them sell these illegal editions. Metaphorically, his kissing them back would be reciprocating the same hypocrisy they exhibit when they ask for his permission to sell these illegal editions. And if he gives it to them, he is "kissing them back" - pretending like there is an amiable and legal relationship, when in reality no such relationship exists.

I hope its clearer now.

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Note added at 7 days (2007-11-23 06:02:02 GMT) Post-grading
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You're welcome.
Selected response from:

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 04:42
Grading comment
Thanks!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3it is understandable that people will be dishonest to improve the sale of their books. However, how
Michael Powers (PhD)
4"hypocrisy is an acceptable [understandable] human failing but, that I...
Terry Burgess


Discussion entries: 1





  

Answers


4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
"it is understood that judas always stands ready with a kiss,but that ........
"hypocrisy is an acceptable [understandable] human failing but, that I...


Explanation:
should have to display gratitude for it!!! [is entirely unacceptable] This last part in parenthesis isn't included...I simply made it up:-)

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Note added at 4 hrs (2007-11-16 06:51:46 GMT)
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Forgot to include "common":
Should read: "hypocrisy is a common and acceptable human failing"....etc.

Terry Burgess
Mexico
Local time: 02:42
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 20
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
"it is understood that judas always stands ready with a kiss,but that ........
it is understandable that people will be dishonest to improve the sale of their books. However, how


Explanation:
dare I be expected to reciprocate with the same dishonesty!!

Mike :)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 mins (2007-11-16 02:20:08 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In other words, pirates are willing to get a meaningless authorization and even pay for it if this means a greater sale of their books; however, the idea that Lawrence would have to stoop down to the same level of corruption disgusts him to no end. This idea of Lawrence being corrupt is expressed by, "But that I should have to kiss him [that is Judas] back!" referring to the fact that he is not ready to play ball with these dishonest, treasonous people.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 days (2007-11-22 01:44:44 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Certainly. In the Bible there is a story about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. While pretending to be Jesus's friend, in reality he was turning Jesus in to the Romans for his eventual execution. So, in the first part of the sentence, "it is understood that Judas always stands ready with a kiss ..." , what is being stated is everyone knows that Judas or whoever the person is in this case, is a hypocrite So in this case, he is comparing the pirates to Judas given their dishonesty, since even if they get permission of the author to sell the books under their own edition, it will still be illegal; however, with the author's permission more booksellers will help the pirates illegally sell these books. In other words, they want to make it look like they are legitimate, even though they are not.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 days (2007-11-22 02:06:34 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The second portion of it, "But that I should have to kiss him back" refers to the protagonist going along with the ruse to pretend like what is being done is legitimate. Of course the protagonist knows this is illegal and is offended that they offered him money (royalties) from the sale of their editions along as he is willing to be just as dishonest as they are and help them sell these illegal editions. Metaphorically, his kissing them back would be reciprocating the same hypocrisy they exhibit when they ask for his permission to sell these illegal editions. And if he gives it to them, he is "kissing them back" - pretending like there is an amiable and legal relationship, when in reality no such relationship exists.

I hope its clearer now.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 7 days (2007-11-23 06:02:02 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

You're welcome.

Michael Powers (PhD)
United States
Local time: 04:42
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 120
Grading comment
Thanks!
Notes to answerer
Asker: sorry but I still can't understand "I should have to kiss him back" .Would you please explain more?


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mark Berelekhis
5 mins
  -> Thank you, Mark - Mike :)

agree  orientalhorizon
4 hrs
  -> Thank you, oreintalhorizon - Mike :)

agree  V_Nedkov
1 day 16 hrs
  -> Thank you, V. - Mike :)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



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