Skip to content

I readily admit it is easy to make of horses what we will…

“I readily admit it is easy to make of horses what we will. Silent, in some ways reserved, they allow us to train them, and to project our ideas upon them; to ride and drive them, and to make them symbolic, perhaps to a greater degree than any other species.” quote by Jane Smiley
Download Open image
“I readily admit it is easy to make of horses what we will. Silent, in some ways reserved, they allow us to train them, and to project our ideas upon them; to ride and drive them, and to make them symbolic, perhaps to a greater degree than any other species.”

Jane Smiley

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Humans often project their own desires onto horses, using them as symbols and tools for personal expression.

In simple terms: People project ideas onto horses.

Key Takeaway

Be aware of projecting personal agendas onto animals.

Themes

projection symbolism human-animal relationship control interpretation

Mood

reflective thoughtful critical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • horse training
  • storytelling
  • artistic inspiration
  • ethical animal treatment

Key Concepts

anthropomorphism symbolic meaning psychology of projection

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does projecting onto animals affect our treatment of them?
  • What alternative ways can we respect animal autonomy?
A Different Perspective

Animals have their own agency and may not fit human narratives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Jane Smiley

Explore all 185 Jane Smiley quotes

More Degrees quotes

Browse all 3,453 Degrees quotes