A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Small annoyances may cause pain but do not change the nature of the powerful.
- In plain terms
- A fly can sting a horse, but the horse stays a horse.
- What can you take from it?
- Minor insults do not diminish true strength.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle small insults?
- What truly defines power?
Another view
Constant stings can eventually wear down even the strong.
More from Samuel Johnson
[Of Lord Chesterfield] This man, I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but, I find, he is only a wit among Lords!
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