The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A dog feigns madness to justify biting someone for personal gain.
- In plain terms
- Someone creates a false excuse to hurt another person.
- What can you take from it?
- Bad actors often fabricate reasons for harm.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do people blame circumstances for choices?
Another view
It attributes human calculation to animals.
More from Oliver Goldsmith
And in that town a dog was found, As many dogs there be, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, And curs of low degree.
Permalink to quote #39 The man recovered of the bite, The dog it was that died.
Permalink to quote #41 The naked every day he clad When he put on his clothes.
Permalink to quote #38
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