Brer Rabbit keep on axin' 'im, en de Tar-Baby, she keep on sayin' nothin', twel present'y Brer Rabbit draw back wid his fis', he did, en blip he tuck 'er side er de head. Right dar's whar he broke his merlasses jug. His fis' stuck, en he can't pull loose. De tar hilt 'im.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Attempting to harm something that refuses to engage can trap you instead, as seen when the character strikes back at an unresponsive target. The trap lies in reacting to what offers no defense.
- In plain terms
- Attacking an unyielding thing can get you stuck.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not waste effort on things that refuse to engage.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What traps have you fallen into by reacting?
- Are you engaging the right targets?
Another view
Sometimes confrontation is necessary despite risk.
More from Joel Chandler Harris
Brer Fox, he lay low.
Permalink to quote #1 'I don't keer w'at you do wid me, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'so you don't fling me in dat brier-patch. Roas' me, Brer Fox' sezee, 'but don't fling me in dat brier-patc…
Permalink to quote #3 Licker talks mighty loud w'en it gits loose from de jug.
Permalink to quote #7
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