--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They say that hens do cackle loudest when…" description: "\"They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/ambrose-bierce-140_eggs_they-say-that-hens-do-cackle-loudest-whe_1755758.jpg" --- # They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing… ![“They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/ambrose-bierce-140_eggs_they-say-that-hens-do-cackle-loudest-whe_1755758.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/ambrose-bierce-140_eggs_they-say-that-hens-do-cackle-loudest-whe_1755758.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c7/ambrose-bierce-140_eggs_they-say-that-hens-do-cackle-loudest-whe_1755758.jpg) > “They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hens cackle loudly when their eggs lack vitality, metaphorically suggesting that people may boast when they have nothing of substance. **In simple terms:** People boast when lacking substance. Key Takeaway Focus on substance over empty noise. Themes pride emptiness boasting Mood critical reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - political speeches - social media posts - job interviews Key Concepts authenticity self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - Why do you feel the need to boast? - How can you demonstrate genuine value? A Different Perspective Empty boasting can damage credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Vanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vanity/) ## Related quotes > [The hens they all cackle, the roosters all beg, But I will not hatch, I will not hatch. For I hear all the talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shel-silverstein/the-hens-they-all-cackle-the-roosters-all-beg-but-i-will-not-hatch-i/) [Shel Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shel-silverstein/) > [Pain makes hens and poets cackle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/pain-makes-hens-and-poets-cackle/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [When painting the faces of young persons ... use the yolk of the egg of a city hen, because they have lighter yolks than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cennino-cennini/when-painting-the-faces-of-young-persons-use-the-yolk-of-the-egg-of-a/) [Cennino Cennini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cennino-cennini/) > [“First, an egg is not an egg is not an egg. 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Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-m-humphrey/) > [While farmers generally allow one rooster for ten hens, ten men are scarcely sufficient to service one woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giovanni-boccaccio/while-farmers-generally-allow-one-rooster-for-ten-hens-ten-men-are/) [Giovanni Boccaccio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giovanni-boccaccio/) > [You have the chicken, the hen, and the rooster. 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But the choice of others - what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-bottome/every-hen-thinks-she-has-laid-the-best-egg-can-we-not-all-believe-as/) [Phyllis Bottome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-bottome/) > [Death is a fickle hen, and random are her eggs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armando-iannucci/death-is-a-fickle-hen-and-random-are-her-eggs/) [Armando Iannucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armando-iannucci/) > [Patriotism is as fierce as a fever, pitiless as the grave, blind as a stone, and irrational as a headless hen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/patriotism-is-as-fierce-as-a-fever-pitiless-as-the-grave-blind-as-a/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Chicken quotes > [I have my meals delivered... you know what I like? Chicken and rice... 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I need my beef, my chicken, my seafood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waka-flocka-flame/i-joined-peta-for-minks-and-dogs-i-need-my-beef-my-chicken-my-seafood/) [Waka Flocka Flame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waka-flocka-flame/) > [The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/the-bird-fights-its-way-out-of-the-egg-the-egg-is-the-world-who-would/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Having parents who are chicken sexers - I had trouble explaining that to kids at school!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-isaac-chung/having-parents-who-are-chicken-sexers-i-had-trouble-explaining-that/) [Lee Isaac Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-isaac-chung/) > [I have a great time cooking and eating Thai green chicken curry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-have-a-great-time-cooking-and-eating-thai-green-chicken-curry/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [call it chicken salad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/call-it-chicken-salad/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [WE RUN OUT OF CHICKEN!!…i was like WHAT ON EARTH!!!...KFC RUN OUT OF CHICKEN…what kind of KFC is 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[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Dinner is usually rice, vegetables and chicken, or I'll make fajitas, and we'll do roast chicken on the weekend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/dinner-is-usually-rice-vegetables-and-chicken-or-i-ll-make-fajitas/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [Chicken troll :P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritesh/chicken-troll-p/) [Ritesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritesh/) > [I eat a lot of chicken with salad or salmon with salad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-ellison/i-eat-a-lot-of-chicken-with-salad-or-salmon-with-salad/) [Jennifer Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-ellison/) Browse all 941 Chicken quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They say that hens do cackle loudest when there is nothing vital in the eggs they have laid.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": 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