Skip to content

Well, this is the reason. We bow to the inevitable. We're…

“Well, this is the reason. We bow to the inevitable. We're not wheat, we're buckwheat! When a storm comes along it flattens ripe wheat because it's dry and can't bend with the wind. But ripe buckwheat's got sap in it and it bends. And when the wind has passed, it springs up almost as straight and…” quote by Margaret Mitchell
Download Open image
““Well, this is the reason. We bow to the inevitable. We're not wheat, we're buckwheat! When a storm comes along it flattens ripe wheat because it's dry and can't bend with the wind. But ripe buckwheat's got sap in it and it bends. And when the wind has passed, it springs up almost as straight and strong as before. We aren't a stiff-necked tribe. We're mighty limber when a hard wind's blowing, because we know it pays to be limber. When trouble comes we bow to the inevitable without any mouthing, and we work and we smile and we bide our time. And we play along with lesser folks and we take what we can get from them. And when we're strong enough, we kick the folks whose necks we've climbed over. That, my child, is the secret of the survival.””

Margaret Mitchell

About This Quote

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

Resilience comes from flexibility; bending with hardship preserves strength.

In simple terms: Being flexible helps survive tough times.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate adaptability to thrive under pressure.

Themes

resilience flexibility survival humility

Mood

determined hopeful

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

  • business crises
  • personal loss
  • health challenges
  • environmental disasters

Key Concepts

adaptation strength humility strategic patience

Questions to Reflect On

  • What situations require you to bend?
  • When is rigidity beneficial?
A Different Perspective

Too much pliability may lead to loss of identity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Margaret Mitchell

Explore all 391 Margaret Mitchell quotes

More Strong enough quotes

Browse all 1,632 Strong enough quotes