Crocodiles, you will say, are stationary. Mr. Waterton…
““Crocodiles, you will say, are stationary. Mr. Waterton tells me that the crocodile does not change,—that a cayman, in fact, or an alligator, is just as good for riding upon as he was in the time of the Pharaohs. That may be; but the reason is that the crocodile does not live fast—he is a slow coach. I believe it is generally understood among naturalists that the crocodile is a blockhead. It is my own impression that the Pharaohs were also blockheads.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author likens crocodiles to slow, unchanging beings, suggesting they are simple and unthinking, and extends this metaphor to ancient Pharaohs as similarly slow-witted.
In simple terms: Crocodiles are slow and simple; Pharaohs were likewise dull.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when slow, unthinking attitudes hinder progress.
Themes
metaphor
history
critique
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- observing nature
- analyzing leadership
- evaluating tradition
Key Concepts
philosophy
animal symbolism
historical analogy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling slow change as negative affect progress?
- When is patience a virtue versus a flaw?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex historical figures.