“When you started teaching, didn't you want to give them a real...” – Sheba Hart, Notes on a Scandal ... Movie Quotes Database

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A scene from Notes on a Scandal 2006

Sheba Hart

When you started teaching, didn't you want to give them a real education to help overcome... the poverty of their backgrounds?

Barbara Covett

Oh yes, of course. But one soon learns that teaching is crowd control. We're a branch of the social services.

Sue Hodge

Console yourself with the gems. That's when it's satisfying. Then you can make a real difference.

Barbara Covett

The rest is just cattle-prod and pray.

In this scene

Barbara Covett Judi Dench More Barbara Covett quotes →

Sheba Hart Cate Blanchett More Sheba Hart quotes →

Sue Hodge Joanna Scanlan

More from Notes on a Scandal

Sheba Hart I hadn't been pursued like this for years... I knew it was wrong, and immoral, and completely ridiculous, but, I don't know. I just allowed it to happen. Barbara Covett The boy is fifteen! Sheba Hart But he's quite mature for his age! Barbara Covett Well, that's when you should've stopped it. Sheba Hart I did! I told him I wouldn't teach him any more. But he refused to accept it, he just kept coming back. It began to feel like our secret, and well, secrets can be... seductive. Barbara Covett And then I realised my fury had blinded me. There was a magnificent opportunity here. With stealth, I might secure the prize long-term, forever in my debt. I could gain everything by doing nothing.