If you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.
BanksyRead
On Painting Rats, and the Glorification of Them. They exist without permission. They are hated, hunted and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilizations to their knees. If you are dirty, insignificant, and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Rats illustrate resilience and the power of the underestimated in society.
This quote by Banksy highlights the overlooked strength of rats, which endure harsh conditions and societal disdain yet possess the ability to challenge and disrupt civilizations. It serves as a metaphor for marginalized individuals who, despite their perceived insignificance, can inspire resilience and provoke change.
Themes
RatsResiliencePersecutionSocietyStrength
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about urban resilience, one could reference the hardships rats face and how they continue to thrive.
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Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a f**king sharp knife to it.
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Gaza is often described as 'the world's largest open air prison' because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons - they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
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