William Hazlitt: Will-Making Art
on Wednesday, July 22, 2020William Hazlitt Money Quote saying there is persistence in belief that an inheritance is due which is less certain. William Hazlitt said:
“The art of will-making chiefly consists in baffling the importunity of expectation” — William Hazlitt
In this quote, William Hazlitt seems to be commenting on the challenges involved in estate planning and distributing one’s wealth after death. By stating that the “art of will-making chiefly consists in baffling the importunity of expectation”, Hazlitt implies that crafting a will requires navigating the competing hopes and desires of potential heirs, who may each feel entitled to a larger share than what is allocated.
The quote conveys Hazlitt’s perspective that determining how to divide up and bequeath one’s assets in a way that satisfies legal requirements while also managing family dynamics and preventing resentment is a nuanced task.
Overall, Hazlitt appears to be acknowledging that will-making involves skillfully balancing different stakeholders’ “expectations” or perceived claims on an inheritance in an attempt to preempt disputes over the terms of the will after one’s passing.
Birthday: December 4, 1795 – Death: February 5, 1881