Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
He is so stupid you can't trust him with an idea.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote humorously critiques someone's intelligence, implying they are not capable of handling ideas responsibly.
John Steinbeck's quote suggests that a person is lacking in intelligence or understanding to such an extent that they would be incapable of appropriately managing or appreciating an idea. This statement uses hyperbole for comedic effect, highlighting the absurdity of trusting someone deemed 'stupid' with something valuable or complex.
Themes
StupidityTrustIdeasHumorCritique
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a light-hearted debate about someone's decision-making.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes βAt one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
John SteinbeckRead
And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
John SteinbeckRead
The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
John SteinbeckRead
People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
John SteinbeckRead
It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
John SteinbeckRead
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