Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
We are discreet sheep; we wait to see how the drove is going, and then go with the drove.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on human behavior and the tendency to follow the crowd rather than think independently.
Mark Twain's quote highlights the inherent nature of people to conform to a group mentality, often foregoing their own judgement. The metaphor of 'discreet sheep' suggests that individuals may lack the courage to venture off on their own path, instead opting to align their actions with the majority, which raises questions about individuality and critical thinking in society.
Themes
ConformityIndependenceIndividualityCrowdBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is perfect for a discussion about peer pressure during a leadership seminar.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes →The easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
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You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
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To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
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Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
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In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
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