Assembly Quote by Christopher Morley
“A human being: an ingenious assembly of portable plumbing.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Human Condition, 1935
Human beings are complex, cleverly designed systems that function like portable plumbing, highlighting our intricate nature.
In simple terms: People are intricate systems.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate human complexity.
Themes
human nature
design
complexity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- psychology
- engineering
- teamwork
- problem solving
Key Concepts
systems
biology
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How does viewing people as systems affect empathy?
- What aspects of humanity resist mechanical description?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can be reduced to simple analogies, which may overlook depth.
![“Mac [Barnett] and I prank each other during our presentation. We show baby pictures of each other looking completely ridiculous. I can't believe the frilly shirt that I'm in, and Mac's wearing a sailor suit and playing a toy piano. That's a perfect example of a good prank, where we have three…” quote by Jory John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afb/jory-john-60334_assembly_mac-barnett-and-i-prank-each-other-durin_50495.jpg)
