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And cats leap up walls! Six foot walls, they just go: 'Fwang' (mimes cat jumping) Lands perfectly, and turn: turn: and back flip and forward flip, and dismount! They always land perfectly, they never do that sort of wobbly-gymnast : (mimes wobbling) You never see cats on a wall having a problem, do you? You never see a cat going, (mimes tentative walk) 'Fucking 'ell..! I'm not sure about this:' and a cat on the ground, going, 'Easy, Ginger! Walk it out!'

Eddie Izzard#85

CatsConfidenceObservation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Izzard contrasts cats perfect jumping ability with human clumsiness and hesitation.
In plain terms
Cats land perfectly while humans wobble and worry.
What can you take from it?
Animals often execute movements without the self-doubt humans feel.

Where it applies

  • animal behavior observation
  • self-deprecating humor

Putting it to work

  • observe animal movement
  • contrast human hesitation

Questions to consider

  • Why do we overthink simple physical tasks?
  • What can we learn from animal confidence?

Another view

Cats do fall and struggle too, even if less visibly.

More from Eddie Izzard

  1. We throw sticks at dogs, that's the level we have dogs at. You'd never dream of throwing one for a cat. We throw sticks for dogs, and dogs go, 'Oh, he's droppe…

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  2. Some people say 'Oh, I wish I was a transvestite!' and I say, 'Well, if you work hard at school, maybe one day, you know: After your exams:'

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  3. You have no control over your cat! You can't say to your cat, 'Cat, heel! Stay! Wait! Lie down! Roll over!' 'Cause the cat's just gonna be sitting there going,…

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