I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail Yes I would, if I could, I surely would I'd rather be a hammer than a nail Yes I would, if I only could, I surely would
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker prefers active or dominant roles over passive ones, valuing agency and impact.
- In plain terms
- I would choose to be strong and active rather than weak and passive.
- What can you take from it?
- Choose roles that give you agency.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What roles do you strive to embody?
- When did you choose action over passivity?
Another view
The metaphor oversimplifies the value of passive roles.
More from Paul Simon
Sail on Silver Girl, Sail on by Your time has come to shine All your dreams are on their way See how they shine If you need a friend I'm sailing right behind...
Permalink to quote #27 No I would not give you false hope On this strange and mournful day But the mother and child reunion Is only a motion away, Oh, little darling of mine I can't …
Permalink to quote #29 I'll take your part When darkness comes And pain is all around.
Permalink to quote #26
Related quotes
Did you deem yourself strong, because you were able to twist the heads off civilized folk, poor weaklings with muscles like rotten string? Hell! Break the neck…
Robert E. HowardRobert E. Howard quote #4 Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.
Simone De BeauvoirSimone De Beauvoir quote #11 A man, as a general rule, owes very little to what he is born with - a man is what he makes of himself.
Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell quote #15