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About this quote

What does it mean?
People often behave within societal constraints but push limits when fear is absent.
In plain terms
Men do the minimum required while women push boundaries until stopped.
What can you take from it?
Behavior is often dictated by external constraints rather than inner nature.

Where it applies

  • workplace ethics
  • social interactions
  • moral reasoning

Putting it to work

  • recognize external pressures
  • examine your constraints

Questions to consider

  • What limits your behavior today?
  • What would you do without fear?

Another view

This generalization oversimplifies complex human behavior and gender roles.

More from Elbert Hubbard

  1. A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.

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  2. A retentative memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness.

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  3. A failure is a man who has blundered but is not capable of cashing in on the experience.

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