--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why do all the clerks and navvies in the…" description: "\"Why do all the clerks and navvies in the railway trains look so sad and tired, so very sad and tired? I will tell you. It is because they know that the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/anonymous-1_bakers_why-do-all-the-clerks-and-navvies-in-the_2027809.jpg" --- # Why do all the clerks and navvies in the railway trains… ![“Why do all the clerks and navvies in the railway trains look so sad and tired, so very sad and tired? I will tell you. It is because they know that the train is going right. It is because they know that whatever place they have taken a ticket for that place they will reach. It is because after…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/anonymous-1_bakers_why-do-all-the-clerks-and-navvies-in-the_2027809.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/anonymous-1_bakers_why-do-all-the-clerks-and-navvies-in-the_2027809.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34d/anonymous-1_bakers_why-do-all-the-clerks-and-navvies-in-the_2027809.jpg) > “Why do all the clerks and navvies in the railway trains look so sad and tired, so very sad and tired? I will tell you. It is because they know that the train is going right. It is because they know that whatever place they have taken a ticket for that place they will reach. It is because after they have passed Sloane Square they know that the next station must be Victoria, and nothing but Victoria. Oh, their wild rapture! oh, their eyes like stars and their souls again in Eden, if the next station were unaccountably Baker Street!” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator sees railway workers as resigned, their fate fixed by the train's inevitable path, longing for unexpected change. **In simple terms:** Workers feel trapped by destiny. Key Takeaway Seek agency beyond predetermined routes. Themes destiny monotony longing Mood melancholic reflective Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - commuting - factory shifts - urban life Key Concepts existentialism routine Questions to Reflect On - What would break the monotony for them? - Can hope exist without change? A Different Perspective The metaphor may over‑simplify complex socioeconomic factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eden/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Railway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/railway/) [Rapture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapture/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) [Trains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trains/) ## Related quotes > [Churches and trains they all look the same to me now they shoot you some place while we ache to come home somehow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-alan-isakov/churches-and-trains-they-all-look-the-same-to-me-now-they-shoot-you/) Gregory Alan Isakov > [Spring is noticed, if at all By people sitting in railway trains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/spring-is-noticed-if-at-all-by-people-sitting-in-railway-trains/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“i know which side of the train i was on today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-palmer/i-know-which-side-of-the-train-i-was-on-today/) [Amanda Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-palmer/) > [“I don't understand," says Gerald, alone in his third- class carriage, "how railway trains and magic can go on at the same time." And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-nesbit/i-don-t-understand-says-gerald-alone-in-his-third-class-carriage-how/) [E. Nesbit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-nesbit/) > [“Taylor: Do you know when the next train to Yass is coming? Jonah: Go to hell. Taylor: Been there. Trust me. It's so overrated.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/taylor-do-you-know-when-the-next-train-to-yass-is-coming-jonah-go-to/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [It is not the end of joy that makes old age so sad, but the end of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-the-end-of-joy-that-makes-old-age-so-sad-but-the-end-of-hope/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know I can feel bad, when I get in a bad mood, and the world can look so sad, only you make me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-i-can-feel-bad-when-i-get-in-a-bad-mood-and-the-world-can-look/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never tell anyone to be careful, never ask what that noise was, and for the love of God, never, ever say that you'll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-tell-anyone-to-be-careful-never-ask-what-that-noise-was-and-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My opponent called me a cream puff. Well, I rushed out and got the baker's union to endorse me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-opponent-called-me-a-cream-puff-well-i-rushed-out-and-got-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [But the law is an odd thing. For instance, one country in Europe has a law that requires all its bakers to sell bread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-the-law-is-an-odd-thing-for-instance-one-country-in-europe-has-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the long run what people think about shepherds and bakers becomes more important for them than their own destinies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-long-run-what-people-think-about-shepherds-and-bakers-becomes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I handed the test in five minutes before the end of the day. Mrs. Baker took it calmly, then reached into her bottom drawer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-handed-the-test-in-five-minutes-before-the-end-of-the-day-mrs-baker/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In those days Mr. Sherlock Holmes was still living in Baker Street and the Bastables were looking for treasure in the Lewisham Road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-those-days-mr-sherlock-holmes-was-still-living-in-baker-street-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Socrates: Have you noticed on our journey how often the citizens of this new land remind each other it is a free country? Plato:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/socrates-have-you-noticed-on-our-journey-how-often-the-citizens-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“-How long you been with the rail road now? -Twenty-seven years. Now, I'll tell you something about the railroad. What I done learned after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-wilson/how-long-you-been-with-the-rail-road-now-twenty-seven-years-now-i-ll/) [August Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-wilson/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Bakers quotes > [“Socrates: Have you noticed on our journey how often the citizens of this new land remind each other it is a free country? Plato:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/socrates-have-you-noticed-on-our-journey-how-often-the-citizens-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't have a very good relationship with baking. I do bake sometimes, but my natural instinct is to just do what feels right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thu-tran/i-don-t-have-a-very-good-relationship-with-baking-i-do-bake-sometimes/) [Thu Tran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thu-tran/) > [I learned to read from Mrs. Augusta Baker, the children's librarian. ... If that was the only good deed that lady ever did in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audre-lorde/i-learned-to-read-from-mrs-augusta-baker-the-children-s-librarian-if/) [Audre Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audre-lorde/) > [I have a treasure trove of Baker memories, all of which reinforce my sense of Howard Baker as one of the most decent people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yarmuth/i-have-a-treasure-trove-of-baker-memories-all-of-which-reinforce-my/) [John Yarmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yarmuth/) > [I was always a person on my mother's hip in the kitchen. My mom really wanted her kids at her side as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-ray/i-was-always-a-person-on-my-mother-s-hip-in-the-kitchen-my-mom-really/) [Rachael Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-ray/) > [I invite all brats to throw their cookies at the baker's head if they're not sweet, winos to chuck their wine if it's bad,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/i-invite-all-brats-to-throw-their-cookies-at-the-baker-s-head-if-they/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Bakers of bread rolls and pastry cooks will not buy grain before eleven o'clock in winter and noon in summer; bakers of large loaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cardinal-richelieu/bakers-of-bread-rolls-and-pastry-cooks-will-not-buy-grain-before/) [Cardinal Richelieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cardinal-richelieu/) > [Kyle Baker's work is really funny, but it's also got a very clear vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-sienkiewicz/kyle-baker-s-work-is-really-funny-but-it-s-also-got-a-very-clear/) [Bill Sienkiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-sienkiewicz/) > [Well, the movie isn't bad. For a while, I even told myself I liked it, even as it missed one mark after another. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-edelstein/well-the-movie-isn-t-bad-for-a-while-i-even-told-myself-i-liked-it/) [David Edelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-edelstein/) > [In those days Mr. Sherlock Holmes was still living in Baker Street and the Bastables were looking for treasure in the Lewisham Road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-those-days-mr-sherlock-holmes-was-still-living-in-baker-street-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me writing about tennis is like a baker baking bread.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ion-tiriac/me-writing-about-tennis-is-like-a-baker-baking-bread/) [Ion Tiriac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ion-tiriac/) > [When I was little I always wanted to drive a train. That, and become a baker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/when-i-was-little-i-always-wanted-to-drive-a-train-that-and-become-a/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [I played with a left hamstring injury since playing college football at Washington University. I went to doctors all over the country to find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-dillon/i-played-with-a-left-hamstring-injury-since-playing-college-football/) [Corey Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-dillon/) > [When George W. Bush decided to save the American position in Iraq by going against the advice of all of his wise men, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-stephens/when-george-w-bush-decided-to-save-the-american-position-in-iraq-by/) [Bret Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-stephens/) > [...Holmes, who loathed every form of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Baker Street, buried among his old books,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/holmes-who-loathed-every-form-of-society-with-his-whole-bohemian-soul/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) Browse all 154 Bakers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Why do all the clerks and navvies in the railway trains look so sad and tired, so very sad and tired? I will tell you. It is because they know that the train is going right. 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