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About this quote

What does it mean?
Even those who do no physical harm can still cause significant damage through their presence or actions.
In plain terms
A harmless creature can still be very annoying.
What can you take from it?
Small actions can have big impacts.

Where it applies

  • dealing with pests
  • social interactions
  • workplace dynamics

Putting it to work

  • managing irritations
  • observing small behaviors

Questions to consider

  • When did a small thing bother you?
  • How do you handle annoyances?

Another view

It may overstate the damage done by minor issues.

More from John Donne

  1. I do nothing upon myself, and yet am mine own executioner.

    Permalink to quote #75
  2. Hee drinkes misery, and he tastes happinesse; he mowes misery, and he gleanes happinesse; he journeys in misery, he does but walke in happinesse.

    Permalink to quote #77
  3. Let not one bring Learning, another Diligence, another Religion, but every one bring all.

    Permalink to quote #74

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