Cheating

 

cheat (v.)

mid-15c., "to escheat, to seize as an escheat," a shortening of Old French escheat, legal term for revision of property to The State when The Owner dies without heirs, literally "that which falls to one," past participle of escheoir "happen, befall, occur, take place; fall due; lapse (legally)," from Late Latin *excadere "fall away, fall out," from Latin ex- "out" (see ex-) + cadere "to fall" (from PIE root *kad- "to fall").

Also compare escheat. The royal officers who had charge of  escheats evidently had a reputation for unscrupulousness, and the meaning of the verb evolved through "confiscate" (mid-15c.) to "deprive unfairly" (1580s), to "deceive, impose upon, trick" (1630s). 

Intransitive sense "act dishonestly, practice fraud or trickery" is from 1630s. To cheat on (someone) "be sexually unfaithful" is attested by 1934. 

Related: Cheated; cheating.

cheat (n.)

late 14c., "forfeited property, reversion of property to a lord," from cheat (v.) or from escheat (n.). 

Meaning "a fraud committed by deception, a deceptive act" is from 1640s; earlier, in thieves' jargon, it meant "a stolen thing" (late 16c.), and earlier still "dice" (1530s). 

It also was used in canting slang generally, as an affix, for any "thing" (e.g. cackling-chete "a fowl," crashing-chetes "the teeth"). 

Meaning "a swindler, a person who cheats" is from 1660s; from 1680s as "anything which deceives or is intended to deceive."

Entries linking to cheat

ex- 

word-forming element, in English meaning usually "out of, from," but also "upwards, completely, deprive of, without," and "former;" from Latin ex "out of, from within; from which time, since; according to; in regard to," from PIE *eghs "out" (source also of Gaulish ex-, Old Irish ess-, Old Church Slavonic izu, Russian iz). In some cases also from Greek cognate ex, ek. PIE *eghs had comparative form *eks-tero and superlative *eks-t(e)r-emo-. Often reduced to e- before -b-, -d-, -g-, consonantal -i-, -l-, -m-, -n-, -v- (as in elude, emerge, evaporate, etc.).

*kad- 

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to fall." 

It forms all or part of : accident; cadaver; cadence; caducous; cascade; case (n.1); casual; casualty; casuist; casus belli; chance; cheat; chute (n.1); coincide; decadence; decay; deciduous; escheat; incident; occasion; occident; recidivist. 

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by : Sanskrit sad- "to fall down;" Latin casus "a chance, occasion, opportunity; accident, mishap," literally "a falling," cadere "to fall, sink, settle down, decline, perish;" Armenian chacnum "to fall, become low;" perhaps also Middle Irish casar "hail, lightning."

escheat

cheating

cheater

escheat (n.)

the reverting of land to a King or Lord in certain cases, early 14c., from Anglo-French eschete (late 13c.), Old French eschete "succession, inheritance," literally "that which FALLS to one," noun use of fem. past participle of escheoir "happen, befall, occur, take place; fall due; lapse (legally)," from Late Latin *excadere "to fall out," from Latin ex "out, away" (see ex-) + cadere "to fall" (from PIE root *kad- "to fall"). As a verb, from late 14c. 

Related : Escheated; escheating. 

Late Latin *excadere represents a restored form of excidere, which yielded excise.

During five years of war 

the illustrious Frederick 

had so exhausted the males of His Kingdom 

that he had to employ recruiters who would 

commit any crime, including 

kidnapping to keep 

supplied those brilliant regiments 

of his with cannon fodder. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Good evening, sir. I'm Captain Potzdorf. 

To whom have I the honour of speaking? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Good evening. I'm Lieutenant Fakenham, 

Gale's Regiment of Foot. 

Pleased to meet you. Can we be of assistance to you? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Thank you, but I am carrying urgent despatches 

and must continue on my way. 

Captain Potzdorf :

And your destination? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Bremen. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Then you're obviously lost, Lieutenant. 

Bremen is in the opposite direction. 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Are you sure? 

Captain Potzdorf :

Yes. 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Wouldn't you know it! My departure was so hasty that my orderly forgot to prepare proper maps. 

Captain Potzdorf :

I understand. Please, do not be offended, Lieutenant,

but are you carrying your identity papers? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Yes, of course. 

Captain Potzdorf :

May I see them? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Of course. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Thank you. 

Thank you, Lieutenant, I hope 

I haven't inconvenienced you. 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Not at all. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Now that we are riding in the same direction,

may I offer you a meal and a bed for the night 

and a proper map for the journey? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

That's kind of you, Captain. 

I'd be honoured to accept. 

Barry was treated with great civility 

and was asked questions about England. 

He answered as best he could, 

inventing many stories. 

He described the King and Ministers,

boasted that the British Ambassador 

in Berlin was his uncle and even offered 

Potzdorf a letter of introduction. 

His host seemed satisfied with these stories. 

But, he led Barry on with a skillful combination 

of questions and flattery. 

Captain Potzdorf :

I know so little of your country of England -- 

except that you are the bravest nation in the world

and that we are fortunate to have such allies. 

Lieutenant Fakenham, let us drink to the friendship of our two great nations. 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

To our two great nations. 

Aren't you lucky, going to Bremen tomorrow? 

I know one of the loveliest women in Europe there. Would you take a letter to her? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

Certainly. 

Captain Potzdorf :

By the way, to whom are you carrying your despatches? 

Lieutenant Fakenham :

General Williamson. 

Captain Potzdorf :

General Williamson? General Percival Williamson? 

Barry :

Yes, the same. 

Captain Potzdorf :

This man is under arrest. 

Barry :

Under arrest? Captain Potzdorf, sir... 

I'm a British Officer. 

Captain Potzdorf :

You're A Liar and 

An Imposter. You're A Deserter. 

I suspected you this morning. 

Your lies and folly have confirmed this. 

You pretend to carry despatches to 

a General, dead these ten months. 

You say The British Ambassador in Berlin 

is Your Uncle, with the ridiculous name of O'Grady. 

Now, will you Join and take The Bounty, or be given up? 

Barry :

I volunteer. 

The Prussian Service was worse than the English. 

The life of a Private Soldier was frightful. 

Punishment was incessant. 

Every Officer had the right to inflict it. 

The gauntlet was a common penalty for minor offences. 

More serious ones were punishable by mutilation or death. 

At the close of the Seven Years' War The Army, 

renowned for its disciplined valour, 

was officered by native Prussians. 

But it was mostly composed of men from the lowest levels of humanity hired or stolen from every nation in Europe. 

Thus, Barry fell into the worst company and 

was soon far advanced in the science 

of every kind of misconduct. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Help. Get me out of here. 

The Colonel's speech declared The King's satisfaction 

with the conduct of the Regiment at the Battle of Audorf,

and with Corporal Barry's bravery 

in rescuing Captain Potzdorf which was 

to be rewarded with the sum of two frederick d'or. 

The Colonel :

Corporal Barry, eight paces forward march! 

Corporal Barry. You're a gallant soldier, 

and evidently of good stock

but you're idle and unprincipled. 

You're a bad influence on the men. 

And for all your bravery, 

I'm sure you'll come to no good. 

Barry :

I hope The Colonel is mistaken. 

I have fallen into bad company, 

but I've only done as other soldiers do. 

I've never had A Friend or Protector before,

to show that I was worthy of better things. 

The Colonel may say I'm ruined, and send me to the Devil. 

But, I would go to the Devil to serve the Regiment. 

Corporal Barry, fall in. 

The war ended and Barry's regiment was garrisoned in the Capital. He had, for some time, ingratiated himself with Captain Potzdorf, whose confidence in him was about to bring its reward. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Good morning, Redmond. 

Good morning, Captain. 

Captain Potzdorf :

I should like you to meet my uncle, the Minister of Police. 

Good morning, Herr Minister. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Redmond... ...I've spoken to The Minister regarding your services and your fortune is made. 

We shall get you out of the Army,

appoint you to The Police Bureau, and, in time,

we'll allow you to move in a better sphere. 

Thank you, Captain. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Your loyalty to Me and service 

to the Regiment has pleased me. 

Now there is another occasion on which you can assist us. 

If you succeed your reward will be secure. 

Barry :

I'll do my best, sir. 

There is a gentleman in Berlin in the service of The Empress of Austria. He calls himself The Chevalier de Balibari. 

He appears to be a professional gambler. 

He's a libertine : Fond of women, 

of good food polished, obliging. 

He speaks French and German indifferently. 

But we have reason to fancy that 

Monsieur de Balibari is a native 

of your country of Ireland. 

And that he has come here as A Spy. 

Your knowledge of English makes you 

an ideal choice to go into his service 

and find out whether or not he is A Spy. 

Does this assignment interest you? 

Barry :

Minister, I'm interested in anything 

that can be of service to you

and Captain Potzdorf. 

Captain Potzdorf :

You will not know a word of English. 

If the Chevalier remarks on your accent, 

say you are Hungarian. You served in the war. 

You left the Army for medical reasons, then served 

Monsieur de Quellenberg for two years. 

He's now with the Army in Silesia, 

but you'll have a certificate from him. 

******

Barry :

Good morning, Your Honour. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

So you are the young man 

recommended by Seebach. 

Barry :

Yes, Your Honour, here 

are my credentials. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Your Name is Lazlo Zilagy? 

Barry :

Yes, Your Honour. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Monsieur de Quellenberg 

recommends you highly. 

Barry :

Monsieur is a very good man. 

It was imprudent of him but when Barry saw 

The Chevalier's splendour and noble manner 

he felt unable to keep disguise with him. 

Those who have never been exiled 

know not what it is to hear 

a friendly voice in captivity 

and would not understand the cause

of the burst of feeling now about to take place. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

You seem the right one to me. 

Barry :

Thank you, Your Honour. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Are you ill? 

Barry :

Sir... 

...I have a confession to make to you. 

I'm an Irishman. My name is Redmond Barry. 

I was abducted into The Prussian Army. 

Now I've been put into Your Service by 

my Captain Potzdorf and his uncle, 

The Minister of Police, 

to serve as A Watch 

upon your actions, and to 

give Information to them. 

The Chevalier was much affected 

at thus finding one of his countrymen. 

For he too was an exile. 

And a friendly voice, a look,

 brought the old country 

back to his memory. 

Barry :

He is very religious and attends church regularly. 

After Mass he comes home for breakfast. 

He then takes an airing in his carriage. 

Barry presented his reports regularly to The Minister. 

The details were arranged 

beforehand with the Chevalier. 

He was instructed to tell The Truth 

as much as his story would possibly bear. 

The Information he gave was 

very minute and accurate 

though not very important. 

Barry :

Wine or punch, Your Honour? 

Wine. 

It was agreed that Barry should 

keep his character of valet. 

That, before strangers, he should 

not know a word of English. 

And that he should keep a lookout 

on the trumps when serving the wine. 

Having excellent eyesight 

and a natural aptitude

he was able to give his dear patron 

much assistance against 

his opponents at the green table. 

If, for instance, he wiped the table with a napkin

the enemy was strong in Diamonds. 

If he adjusted a chair it meant Ace/King. 

If he said, "Punch or wine, My Lord?"

Hearts were meant, and so forth. 

The Prince of Tübingen who had intimate connections 

with the Great Frederick was passionately fond of Play 

as were the gentlemen of almost 

all the Courts of Europe. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

You owe 2000 Frederick d'or. 

Chevalier... though I cannot say how... 

I believe you have cheated Me. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

I deny Your Grace's accusation and beg you 

to say how you have been cheated. 

I don't know. 

But I believe I have been. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Your Grace owes me 2000 Frederick d'or,

which I have honourably won. 

Chevalier -- if you will have Your Money now 

You must fight for it. 

If you will be patient, maybe 

I will pay you something another time. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Your Grace, if I am to be so tame as to take this,

then I must give up an honourable and lucrative occupation. 

I have said all there is to be said. 

I am at your disposal for whatever 

purposes you wish. Good night. 

********

Captain Potzdorf :

Was The Prince cheated? 

In as far as I am able to tell, Herr Minister, no. 

I believe he won the money fairly. 

Captain Potzdorf :

What are the Chevalier's intentions? 

I'm not sure. The Prince told him 

that if he wanted his money 

he'd have to fight for it.  

********

Captain Potzdorf :

A Meeting with The Prince is impossible. 

Barry :

The Prince has left him no other choice. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Will you be able to return here tomorrow 

without arousing suspicion? 

*********

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

I know They won't allow A Meeting with The Prince. 

But if I say that, Do You Know Any Reason 

why he'll pay me What He Owes? 

You must tell Them I intend 

to demand Satisfaction. 

Don't look so downcast, my boy --

They cannot harm me, 

The Austrian Embassy will see to that. 

The worst They can do is send me 

out of this dreary country of Theirs. 

If they should, don't worry -- 

You shall not be left behind. 

Have no fear of that. 

*********

Captain Potzdorf :

The King has determined to send 

The Chevalier out of The country. 

Has he already demanded Satisfaction? 

Not yet, but I believe he intends to... 

...possibly Today. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Then this must be done tomorrow. 

All the arrangements are made. 

You said he takes a drive 

after breakfast every day. 

Yes, sir. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Is there any reason he should do 

any different tomorrow? 

No, sir. 

Captain Potzdorf :

Good. When The Chevalier comes out 

to his carriage in The Morning,

Two Officers will meet him 

and escort him to The Frontier. 

His baggage will be sent after him. 

Excellent. 

At ten o'clock the next morning, 

The Chevalier de Balibari went out 

for his regular morning drive. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Where's My Servant, Lazlo? 

Two Prussian Officers :

I will let down the steps, Your Honour. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

What is this about? 

Two Prussian Officers :

Please get inside. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Am I under arrest? 

Two Prussian Officers :

We're driving to The Frontier. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

Frontier? But I'm on my way to 

The Austrian Ambassador's House. 

Two Prussian Officers :

My Orders are to escort you to The Frontier... 

...and see you safely across The Border. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

But, I'm not going to The Frontier. 

I have very important business at 

The Austrian Ambassador's House. 

Two Prussian Officers :

My Orders are to take Your Honour 

to The Frontier by any means necessary. 

If you come willingly,

I'm to give you this purse on behalf 

of The Prince of Tübingen,

containing 2000 Frederick d'or. 

The Chevalier du Bari-Bari :

All Europe shall hear of this.

 
And so, without Papers or Passport, 
and under the eyes of Two Prussian Officers

Barry was escorted across the frontier 

into Saxony and Freedom. 

The Chevalier himself had uneventfully 

crossed The Frontier the night before. 

By these wonderful circumstances, 

Barry was once more Free and began 

his professional work as A Gamester,

resolving, thenceforward and forever, 

to live The Life of a Gentleman. 

The four wins. 

Soon he and The Chevalier were received 

in all the Courts of Europe and 

were speedily in the very best Society, 

where Play was patronised, 

and Professors of that Science 

always welcome. 

Lord Ludd :

The seven. Why not the seven? 

All...all, yes. No more bets. 

Number seven... loses. 

Place Your Bets. 

Lord Ludd :

Chevalier, will you give me credit 

for 5000 Louis D'Or, please? 

Of course, Lord Ludd. Five thousand. 

Now, everything on the four. 

Lord Ludd :

Yes, I know, everything on the four. 

No more bets. The four loses. 

Lord Ludd :

It is not important. Now, I'm weary. 

I would like dinner. Shall we? 

Excuse me, Lord Ludd. 

If you don't mind. Not at all. 

They always played on credit with 

any person of honour or noble lineage. 

They never pressed for their winnings,

or declined to receive promissory notes. 

But woe to The Man who did not pay 

when the note became due. 

Barry was sure to wait upon him with his bill. 

There were few bad debts. 

Lord Ludd :

Saluez. 

It was Barry's skill with The Sword, 

and readiness to use it 

that maintained the reputation 

of The Firm, so to speak. 

On guard! 

Lord Ludd (DEEP, Masculine Voice) :

I will pay you today, sir. 

Thus, it will be seen, their life,

for all its splendour, was not without 

Danger and Difficulty, requiring 

Talent and Determination for Success.

 

And required them to live a 

wandering and disconnected life. 

And, though they were swimming upon 

the high tide of fortune and 

prospering with The Cards, they had 

little to show for their labour, 

but some fine clothes 

and a few trinkets. 

Five years in The Army, and considerable 

experience of The World had 

dispelled any romantic notions 

regarding Love with which 

Barry commenced life. 

And he had it in mind, as many gentlemen 

had done before him, to marry 

A Woman of Fortune and Condition. 

And, as such things so often happen,

these thoughts coincided with 

his setting sight upon A Lady, who will play 

a considerable part in the drama of his life. 

The Countess of Lyndon, Viscountess 

Bullingdon of England,
Baroness Castle Lyndon of Ireland. 
A Woman of vast wealth and great beauty. 
She was The Wife of Sir Charles Lyndon, 

Knight of The Bath, Minister to George III 

at several of the Courts of Europe. 

A Cripple, wheeled about in a chair, 

worn out by gout and a myriad of diseases. 

Her Ladyship's Chaplain, Mr. Runt, 

acted as tutor to her son, 

the little Viscount Bullingdon, 

a melancholy little boy, much-

attached to His Mother. 

I'm going outside for a breath of air. 

Yes, My Lady. 

To make a long story short, 

six hours after they met,

Her Ladyship was in love. 

And once Barry got into her company,

he found innumerable occasions 

to improve his intimacy,

and was scarcely out of 

Her Ladyship's sight. 

Barry :
Good evening, gentlemen. Sir Charles.

Sir Charles Lyndon, 

Lord Bullingdon : 
Good evening, Mr. Barry. 

Have you done with My Lady? 

Barry :

Pardon? 

Sir Charles Lyndon, 

Lord Bullingdon :

Come, sir. I'm A Man who would 

rather be known as A Cuckold 

than A Fool. 

I think, Sir Charles, that you've had 
too much to drink. 

What? 

As it happens, Your Chaplain, Mr. Runt, 

introduced Me to Your Lady to advise Me on 

a religious matter, of which she is an expert. 

Sir Charles Lyndon, 

Lord Bullingdon :

He wants... to step into My Shoes. 
He wants to step into MY Shoes. 

Is it not a pleasure for me, 
as I am drawing near The Goal, 
to find My Home such a happy one, 

My Wife so fond of me, that she is even now 

thinking of appointing A Successor? 
Isn't it a comfort to see her 

like a prudent housewife 

getting everything ready 

for my departure?

 
I hope you're not thinking 

of leaving us, Sir Charles? 

Sir Charles Lyndon, 

Lord Bullingdon :

Not so soon as you may fancy, perhaps. 
I've been given over many times these four years. 
And there was always a candidate or two

waiting to apply for The Situation. 

I'm sorry for you, Mr. Barry. It grieves me 

to keep you or any gentleman waiting. 

Had you not better arrange with My Doctor or have 

The Cook flavour My Omelette with arsenic, eh? 

What are the odds, gentlemen, that I live 

to see Mr. Barry hang yet? 

Barry :

Sir, let those laugh 

that win. Gentlemen. 

I'll get a surgeon. 

Have some brandy, Sir Charles. 

From a report in 
The Saint James' Chronicle: 

"Died at Spa in Belgium, 
Sir Charles Reginald Lyndon, 
Knight of The Bath, 

Member of Parliament, 
and for many years 

His Majesty's Representative 

at various European Courts. 
He has left behind him A Name which is 

endeared to all His Friends. " 

The Rev. Samuel Runt (CofE) :
Dearly Beloved, We are gathered together 
here in The Sight of God, and 

in The Face of This Congregation

to join together this Man 

and this Woman 
in Holy Matrimony.

A Year later, on the fifteenth 

of June in the year 1773, 

Redmond Barry had The Honour 
to lead to the altar 

The Countess of Lyndon. 
The ceremony was performed 

by The Reverend Runt, 
Her Ladyship's Chaplain.

The Rev. Samuel Runt (CofE) :
And therefore is not in any way to be enterprised, 

nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly or wantonly

to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites 

like brute beasts that have no understanding;

But reverently, discreetly, advisedly, 

soberly, and in The Fear of God. 

Duly considering The Causes 

for which matrimony was ordained. 

First, it was ordained for 

The Procreation of Children 
to be brought up in the Fear 

and Nurture of The Lord, and to 

The Praise of His Holy Name. 

Secondly it was ordained for 

A Remedy against Sin, 
and to avoid Fornication.

Barry had now arrived at the pitch of Prosperity
and by His Own Energy had raised himself 
to a higher sphere of Society having procured 
His Majesty's gracious permission to add 

The Name of his lovely Lady to His Own. 
Thenceforth, Redmond Barry assumed 
The Style and Title of Barry Lyndon. 

Lady Lyndon :
Redmond, would you mind 

not smoking for a while?

Lady Lyndon was soon destined 

to occupy a place in Barry's Life 

not very much more important 

than the elegant carpets and pictures 

which would form the pleasant 

background of his existence. 

The Rev. Samuel Runt :

My Lord Bullingdon, you seem particularly glum today? 

You should be happy that Your Mother has remarried. 

My Lord Bullingdon :

Not in this way. 

And not in such haste. 

And certainly not to this man. 

The Rev. Samuel Runt :

I think you judge Your Mother too harshly. 

Do you not like your new Father? 

My Lord Bullingdon :

Not very much. 

He seems to Me little more than 

a common opportunist. 

I don't think he loves my mother at all. 

And it hurts me very much, 

to see her make such A Fool of herself. 

At the end of a year Her Ladyship 

presented Barry with A Son.

Bryan Patrick Lyndon, 

they called him. 

Her Ladyship and Barry lived, 

after a while, pretty separate. 
She preferred quiet, or to say The Truth, 

he preferred it for her, being a great friend 

to a modest and tranquil behaviour in Woman. 

Besides, She was A Mother, and 

would have great comfort
in the dressing, educating and 

dandling of their little Bryan --

For whose sake it was fit, Barry believed, 

that she should give up the pleasures and 

frivolities of the world, leaving that part 

of the duty of every family of distinction 

to be performed by him. 

Lady Lyndon tended to a melancholy and maudlin 

temper and, left alone by her husband, 

was rarely happy or in good humour. 

Now she must add jealousy to her other complaints,
and find rivals even among her maids. 

Lady Lyndon :

Samuel, what would the time be?

The Rev. Samuel Runt (CofE) : 

Twenty-five minutes past eleven, My Lady. 

Lady Lyndon :

Shall we make this the last game, ladies? 

Barry Lyndon :

Good morning, ladies. 

Would you mind excusing us? 

I'd like a word alone with 

Lady Lyndon. I'm sorry. 

The Tailor :

This coat is made of the finest velvet,
all cunningly worked with silver thread. 
No finer velvet has ever been woven, 
and you will see none better anywhere. 

Barry Lyndon :

Pardon me, Gentlemen. 

Good morning, dearest. 

Lady Lyndon :
We're taking the children for a ride to The Village. 
We'll be back for tea. 

Barry Lyndon :

Have a nice time. I'll see you then. 
Goodbye, little Bryan. Lord Bullingdon. 
Take Good Care of Your Mother. 

Lady Lyndon :

Come now, give Your Father a proper kiss. 
Lord Bullingdon -- is that the way 

to behave to Your Father? 
Lord Bullingdon, have you lost your tongue? 

My Lord Bullingdon :

My Father was Sir Charles Lyndon. 
I have not forgotten him, if others have.

Lady Lyndon : 
Lord Bullingdon, You have 

insulted Your Father! 

My Lord Bullingdon :

Madam, you have insulted My Father.

Barry Lyndon : 
Dearest, would you excuse us? 
We have something to discuss in private. 

Gentlemen. 

Barry Lyndon :

One. Two. Six. 
Lord Bullingdon -- I have always been willing 

to Live with You on friendly terms. 

But be clear about one thing : 

As Men Serve me, I Serve them. 

I never laid a cane on the back of A Lord before --

but, if you force me to, I shall speedily 

become used to the practice. 

Do you have anything to say for yourself? 

My Lord Bullingdon :

No. 

Barry Lyndon :

You may go. 

Barry believed, and not without some reason, 

that it had been a Declaration of War 

against him by Bullingdon from the start, 

and that the evil consequences that ensued

were entirely of Bullingdon's creating. 

Magician :
I shall make you into a real magician now, Bryan. 

I shall show you The Knot that never was. 

As Bullingdon grew up to be A Man, 

his hatred for Barry assumed an intensity

equalled only by his increased 

devotion to His Mother. 

Kubrick :

"I believe Thackeray used Redmond Barry 

to tell his own story in a deliberately distorted way 

because it made it more interesting. 

Instead of The Omniscient Author, 

Thackeray used The Imperfect Observer, 

or perhaps it would be more accurate to say 

The Dishonest Observer, thus allowing The Reader 

to judge for himself, with little difficulty, the probable 

Truth in Redmond Barry's view of his life. 

This technique worked extremely well in the novel 

but, of course, in a film you have objective reality 

in front of you all of the time, so the effect of 

Thackeray's first-person story-teller 

could not be repeated on the screen. 

It might have worked as comedy by the juxtaposition of 

Barry's version of The Truth with 

The Reality on The Screen, 

but I don't think that Barry Lyndon 

should have been done as A Comedy.