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Wholegrain Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

I am little given that way

Herman Melville - The Confidence Man

http://www.online-literature.com/melville/confidence-man/10


"You mistake; I mean the other two, and I don't refer to dress, but countenance. I confess I am not familiar with such gentry any further than reading about them in the papers-but those two are-are sharpers, aint they?"
"Far be from us the captious and fault-finding spirit, my dear sir."
"Indeed, sir, I would not find fault; I am little given that way: but certainly, to say the least, these two youths can hardly be adepts, while the opposed couple may be even more."

By "I am little given that way" does he mean "I tend to suspect people often(even though I am not skilled at finding faults)"
  

Top answer

I think not 'skilled' but 'prone to do that' [not likely to find fault in others]. But this is Melville, and I stay away from him! Someone else may better interpret this for you.

— Philip

  • I think not 'skilled' but 'prone to do that' [not likely to find fault in others].
  • But this is Melville, and I stay away from him!
  • Someone else may better interpret this for you.
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4 Answers
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I think not 'skilled' but 'prone to do that' [not likely to find fault in others]. But this is Melville, and I stay away from him!. Someone else may better interpret this for you.
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Ok, nevermind he probably meant: In fact, sir, my intent was not to find fault, I am little inclined to do so.
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It means he is not inclined to find fault in others.
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