--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The shepherd drives the wolf from the…" description: "\"The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the sa..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/abraham-lincoln-88_freedom_the-shepherd-drives-the-wolf-from-the-sh_1919169.png" --- # The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for… ![“The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/abraham-lincoln-88_freedom_the-shepherd-drives-the-wolf-from-the-sh_1919169.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/abraham-lincoln-88_freedom_the-shepherd-drives-the-wolf-from-the-sh_1919169.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/06d/abraham-lincoln-88_freedom_the-shepherd-drives-the-wolf-from-the-sh_1919169.png) > “The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote illustrates how different parties can interpret the same action in opposite ways, leading to conflict over concepts like liberty. **In simple terms:** Different views cause conflict over liberty. Key Takeaway Recognize multiple perspectives. Themes conflict interpretation liberty perspective ethics Mood thoughtful critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - political debate - legal decisions - community leadership - media analysis Key Concepts subjectivity political philosophy morality Questions to Reflect On - How do you define liberty in your community? - What factors shape opposing views? A Different Perspective The analogy may oversimplify complex social dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) ## Related quotes > [Change is a sheep in wolf's clothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-lacroix/change-is-a-sheep-in-wolf-s-clothing/) [Darren LaCroix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-lacroix/) > [Why be the sheep when you can be the wolf?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-l-lafevers/why-be-the-sheep-when-you-can-be-the-wolf/) [R.L. LaFevers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-l-lafevers/) > [Beware of a wolf in sheep's clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/beware-of-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing-is-still-a-wolf/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It never troubles the wolf how many the sheep may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/it-never-troubles-the-wolf-how-many-the-sheep-may-be/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [“I called you a coward! You're a fucking sheep in wolf's clothing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-bliler/i-called-you-a-coward-you-re-a-fucking-sheep-in-wolf-s-clothing/) Susan Bliler > [All it takes to get elected in twenty-first-century America is a mob of frightened sheep and a wolf with a nice smile,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-bear/all-it-takes-to-get-elected-in-twenty-first-century-america-is-a-mob/) [Greg Bear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-bear/) > [“I know people might think I'm strong or tough, but I'm really not. I'm a sheep in wolf's clothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-know-people-might-think-i-m-strong-or-tough-but-i-m-really-not-i-m/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [“Sometimes, you just gotta be the weird one. It's always the weird one that stands out anyway, right? Nobody cares about the sheep; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/sometimes-you-just-gotta-be-the-weird-one-it-s-always-the-weird-one/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [“You should never trust a wolf in sheep's clothing. Because the only thing the wolf will ever want to do is break you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-e-carter/you-should-never-trust-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing-because-the-only/) [Rachel E. Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-e-carter/) > [I am a wolf among the sheep, gnawing at the wool over my eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-urie-of-panic-at-the-disco/i-am-a-wolf-among-the-sheep-gnawing-at-the-wool-over-my-eyes/) Brendan Urie (of Panic! At The Disco > [A wolf in sheep's clothing is like a crooked hospital nurse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing-is-like-a-crooked-hospital-nurse/) Unkown > [Are you worried, says the wolf in sheep's clothing. Try to lead the children astray but don't we know a who fe frighten take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-cliff/are-you-worried-says-the-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing-try-to-lead-the/) [Jimmy Cliff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-cliff/) > [Only a sheep with lion's heart can attack wolf, not the sheep with lion's teeth or with lion's claw!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/only-a-sheep-with-lion-s-heart-can-attack-wolf-not-the-sheep-with/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [So when the wolf pounces on your lamb, just ignore the pitiful bleating and remind yourself that this is a democracy, where every sheep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sobran/so-when-the-wolf-pounces-on-your-lamb-just-ignore-the-pitiful/) [Joseph Sobran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sobran/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep's throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. 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