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About this quote

What does it mean?
A mocking comment about animal behavior and shame.
In plain terms
Your tail is down like a monkey's.
What can you take from it?
Act with dignity.

Where it applies

  • insults
  • childhood tales
  • behavioral advice

Putting it to work

  • stand tall
  • avoid shame

Questions to consider

  • When do you feel ashamed?

Another view

It is vague and context-dependent.

More from Rudyard Kipling

  1. We be of one blood, ye and I.

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. Now this is the Law of the Jungle - as old and as true as the sky; And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. 'There is none like to me !' says the Cub in the pride of his earliest kill; But the jungle is large and the Cub he is small. Let him think and be still.

    Permalink to quote #39

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