Improper

Examples

• Thus it appears, that the principle, which opposes our passion, cannot be the same with reason, and is only called so in an improper sense. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
• The higher his deserts, the more improper for me ever to have thought of him. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
• It was dreadfully improper, I know, but I couldn't resist the temptation, and lifting one end of the curtain before the glass door, I peeped in. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
• The affected anxiety of the lawgiver, lest they should employ an improper person, is evidently as impertinent as it is oppressive. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
• Nothing could be more improper than the whole business. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
• She must have felt the improper and dangerous distinction. Jane Austen. Emma.
• He was of opinion that it was improper, and that they were naturally unequal to it. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• Improper influence! Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
• Nothing was more improper for them. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
• Why are you tearing about the streets,' said Mr. Gradgrind, 'in this improper manner? Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
• Forming an opinion of our people and their manners by what is seen among the inhabitants of the seaports, is judging from an improper sample. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
• I call it improper pride to let fools' notions hinder you from doing a good action. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
• But let me tell you one thing, Aunt: Mr. Wildeve is not a profligate man, any more than I am an improper woman. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
• Secondly, it seems, on this account, altogether improper to consider artificers, manufacturers, and merchants, in the same light as menial servants. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
• In the last chapter of the fourth book, I shall endeavour to shew that their sense is an improper one. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
• If bounties are as improper as I have endeavoured to prove them to be, the sooner they cease, and the lower they are, so much the better. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
• As this opinion may appear somewhat extraordinary, it may not be improper to confirm it by some other considerations. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
• Her own behaviour had been so very improper! Jane Austen. Emma.
• Such obstinacy could not be unless you were under improper influence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
• You have shewn that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper. Jane Austen. Emma.
• And away went Meg to help 'that man' in his highly improper employment. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
• Do not act anything improper, my dear, said Lady Bertram. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
• Men were brought to feel that they were as improper without a nationality as without their clothes in a crowded assembly. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
• The company had been suspected of restraining the trade and of establishing some sort of improper monopoly. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
• This was highly improper and very ungentlemanlike on your part! Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
• What was _strange_ must be _wrong_; what was _unusual_ must be _improper_. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
• Indeed he has no improper pride. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
• Possibly it may be thought that our party tarried too long, or did other improper things, but such was not the case. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
• It is highly improper. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.

Editor: Miles