--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Mankind lives by its head Its head won't…" description: "\"“Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through Inspect your own. What lives off that? At most a louse or two.”\" — Bertolt Brecht" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg" --- # Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through… ![“Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through Inspect your own. What lives off that? At most a louse or two.” quote by Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg) > ““Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through Inspect your own. What lives off that? At most a louse or two.”” [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human intellect alone cannot survive; practical, often lowly, means are needed. **In simple terms:** Thinking isn’t enough; you need practical survival. Key Takeaway Balance intellect with practical action. Themes survival pragmatism human nature philosophy Mood critical realistic Type philosophical pragmatic When to use this quote - job hunting - budgeting - health decisions Key Concepts existentialism materialism self‑reliance Questions to Reflect On - What practical steps support your goals? - When does intellect outweigh survival? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on practicality can neglect moral considerations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head/) [Lives Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-head-1821964/) [Lives Louse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-louse-1821963/) [Louse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/louse-750982/) [Mankind Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind-lives-4808965/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Vintage-books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vintage-books-201559/) [Vol-2](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vol-2-202228/) ## Related quotes > [“A Man lives off his head. His head won't see him through. Inspect your own— What lives on that? At most, a louse or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/a-man-lives-off-his-head-his-head-won-t-see-him-through-inspect-your/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“Her skin smells of vintage books and pale moonlight, exotic things, forbidden loves and rainy nights.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-lee/her-skin-smells-of-vintage-books-and-pale-moonlight-exotic-things/) [Melody Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-lee/) > [“The river of life divides into two branches: being and formulating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/the-river-of-life-divides-into-two-branches-being-and-formulating/) [Anaïs Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [“the worst troll is the one that lives in your head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/the-worst-troll-is-the-one-that-lives-in-your-head/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [“Anything that only lives in your head cannot live in the hearts of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jp-rattie/anything-that-only-lives-in-your-head-cannot-live-in-the-hearts-of/) [JP Rattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jp-rattie/) > [“I wanted to find out then and quickly whether I was a louse like everybody else or a man. Whether I can step over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/i-wanted-to-find-out-then-and-quickly-whether-i-was-a-louse-like/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“The human louse somewhat resembles a tiny lobster, and he lives chiefly in your trousers. Short of burning all your clothes there is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-human-louse-somewhat-resembles-a-tiny-lobster-and-he-lives/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Sir, there is no settling the point of precedency between a louse and a flea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/sir-there-is-no-settling-the-point-of-precedency-between-a-louse-and/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [A louse in the locks of literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/a-louse-in-the-locks-of-literature/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [“I have had a big experience of body vermin of various kinds, and for sheer beastliness the louse beats everything I have encountered. Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/i-have-had-a-big-experience-of-body-vermin-of-various-kinds-and-for/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by Bertolt Brecht > [Their peace and their war Are like wind and storm. War grows from their peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/their-peace-and-their-war-are-like-wind-and-storm-war-grows-from/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Boy Meets Girl, So What?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/boy-meets-girl-so-what/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Some party hack decreed that the people had lost the government's confidence and could only regain it with redoubled effort. If that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/some-party-hack-decreed-that-the-people-had-lost-the-government-s/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/art-is-not-a-mirror-held-up-to-reality-but-a-hammer-with-which-to/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/people-remain-what-they-are-even-if-their-faces-fall-apart/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Go make yourself a plan And be a shining light. Then make yourself a second plan, For neither will come right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/go-make-yourself-a-plan-and-be-a-shining-light-then-make-yourself-a/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Fearful is the seductive power of goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/fearful-is-the-seductive-power-of-goodness/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/hungry-man-reach-for-the-book-it-is-a-weapon/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [There are some with brains and some without. It makes for a better division of labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/there-are-some-with-brains-and-some-without-it-makes-for-a-better/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“When the sharks the sharks devour Little fishes have their hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/when-the-sharks-the-sharks-devour-little-fishes-have-their-hour/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“In my poetry a rhyme Would seem to me almost insolent. Inside me contend Delight at the apple tree in blossom And horror at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/in-my-poetry-a-rhyme-would-seem-to-me-almost-insolent-inside-me/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“The law was made for one thing alone,for the exploitation of those who don't understand it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/the-law-was-made-for-one-thing-alone-for-the-exploitation-of-those/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [From the start it has been the theatre's business to entertain people ... it needs no other passport than fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/from-the-start-it-has-been-the-theatre-s-business-to-entertain-people/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Whenever there are great virtues, it's a sure sign something's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/whenever-there-are-great-virtues-it-s-a-sure-sign-something-s-wrong/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [First feed the face, then talk right and wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/first-feed-the-face-then-talk-right-and-wrong/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) [Explore all 260 Bertolt Brecht quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) ## More Head quotes > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I used a psychologist when I was playing, It's one of the most powerful things: how you can have a concrete head and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-parker/i-used-a-psychologist-when-i-was-playing-it-s-one-of-the-most/) [Scott Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-parker/) > [This is how McGregor is, waging mental warfare before the fights. There's no way that guy is going to get in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/this-is-how-mcgregor-is-waging-mental-warfare-before-the-fights-there/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I try to listen to all music with an open head, a clear head, try not to say just because I don't know it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ghostface-killah/i-try-to-listen-to-all-music-with-an-open-head-a-clear-head-try-not/) [Ghostface Killah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ghostface-killah/) > [We all have time away from football to get our head down. At the same time it is a very busy schedule.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/we-all-have-time-away-from-football-to-get-our-head-down-at-the-same/) [Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/) > [Love is in the heart not the head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shadow/love-is-in-the-heart-not-the-head/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shadow/) > [Oh, I'm a great believer in the power of the pause. Radio is a bit brasher now. My style was slower. I just used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/oh-i-m-a-great-believer-in-the-power-of-the-pause-radio-is-a-bit/) [Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/) > [I was painfully shy, so my aunt suggested to my mum that me and my brother go to Stage 84, a performing arts school…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-cooke/i-was-painfully-shy-so-my-aunt-suggested-to-my-mum-that-me-and-my/) [Christian Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-cooke/) > [Growing up in Dallas, my first influences on the guitar were T-Bone Walker and Les Paul. T-Bone taught me how to play lead guitar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-miller/growing-up-in-dallas-my-first-influences-on-the-guitar-were-t-bone/) [Steve Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-miller/) > [I chose a career in the kitchen because the thought of sitting and doing the same thing every day and being stationary was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-tosi/i-chose-a-career-in-the-kitchen-because-the-thought-of-sitting-and/) [Christina Tosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-tosi/) > [“All the tools, techniques and technology in the world are nothing without the head, heart and hands to use them wisely, kindly and mindfully”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/all-the-tools-techniques-and-technology-in-the-world-are-nothing/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [I'm just insane. So what usually drives me is pure joy for something stupid. I'm also very visual. I'll have an idea in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-roiland/i-m-just-insane-so-what-usually-drives-me-is-pure-joy-for-something/) [Justin Roiland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-roiland/) > [We did a 'Vanity Fair' spread for 'The Hunger Games,' and we were on set, and I saw a little head pop up from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-ludwig/we-did-a-vanity-fair-spread-for-the-hunger-games-and-we-were-on-set/) [Alexander Ludwig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-ludwig/) > [I say characters who are strong and wrong just have an assuredness about them that you can't even wrap your head around, you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ego-nwodim/i-say-characters-who-are-strong-and-wrong-just-have-an-assuredness/) [Ego Nwodim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ego-nwodim/) [Browse all 3,145 Head quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through Inspect your own. What lives off that? At most a louse or two.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bertolt Brecht" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t-see-him-through-inspect-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Head" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t-see-him-through-inspect-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62a/bertolt-brecht-1065_nature-of-man_mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t_2196965.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Mankind lives by its head Its head won't see him through Inspect your own. What lives off that? At most a…” — Bertolt Brecht", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bertolt Brecht", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Mankind lives by its head Its...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t-see-him-through-inspect-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/mankind-lives-by-its-head-its-head-won-t-see-him-through-inspect-your/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```