The dog won't bite if you beat Him with a bone
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Beating a dog with a bone might distract it from biting, but it is a twisted form of violence.
- In plain terms
- Giving the dog something to hit stops it from hurting you.
- What can you take from it?
- Sometimes distraction prevents aggression.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you handle aggression?
- Is violence ever the right tool?
Another view
This advice promotes violence and is not a good general rule.
More from Tom Waits
(When asked for advice for younger musicians) 'Break windows, smoke cigars, and stay up late. Tell 'em to do that, they'll find a little pot of gold.'
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