--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only reason, for example, that you…" description: "\"“The only reason, for example, that you are not a rattlesnake is that your mother and father weren't rattlesnakes. You deserve very little credit for b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/dale-carnegie-382_mother-and-father_the-only-reason-for-example-that-you-are_248059.jpg" --- # The only reason, for example, that you are not a… ![“The only reason, for example, that you are not a rattlesnake is that your mother and father weren't rattlesnakes. You deserve very little credit for being what you are” quote by Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/dale-carnegie-382_mother-and-father_the-only-reason-for-example-that-you-are_248059.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/dale-carnegie-382_mother-and-father_the-only-reason-for-example-that-you-are_248059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/dale-carnegie-382_mother-and-father_the-only-reason-for-example-that-you-are_248059.jpg) > ““The only reason, for example, that you are not a rattlesnake is that your mother and father weren't rattlesnakes. You deserve very little credit for being what you are”” [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human traits are largely inherited; personal credit is limited for innate characteristics. **In simple terms:** We inherit traits, not earned merit. Key Takeaway Focus on personal growth beyond inherited traits. Themes inheritance self‑efficacy humility identity Mood inspirational thought‑provoking Type self‑help philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - relationship building - self‑improvement - education Key Concepts behavioral genetics personal development self‑concept Questions to Reflect On - What aspects of yourself can you develop independently? - How can you balance acceptance of inheritance with personal effort? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on genetics can diminish motivation for change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Example Rattlesnake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example-rattlesnake-2474260/) [Mother and father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-and-father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Rattlesnake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rattlesnake/) [Rattlesnake Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rattlesnake-mother-2474257/) [Rattlesnakes Deserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rattlesnakes-deserve-2474259/) [Weren Rattlesnakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weren-rattlesnakes-2474258/) ## Related quotes > [“You can be bit in the leg by a rattlesnake and seek help to heal your wound, or you can run after it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/you-can-be-bit-in-the-leg-by-a-rattlesnake-and-seek-help-to-heal-your/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Low enough to put on a tophat and crawl under a rattlesnake”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/low-enough-to-put-on-a-tophat-and-crawl-under-a-rattlesnake/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Skunks can and will eat a rattlesnake”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-anderson/skunks-can-and-will-eat-a-rattlesnake/) [Adam Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-anderson/) > [It doesn’t take time to change once you understand the problem...Somebody hands you a rattlesnake, it doesn’t take long to drop it, does it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/it-doesn-t-take-time-to-change-once-you-understand-the-problem/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [“Somewhere, a rattlesnake strike makes the dance begin. Three hawks float in the light blue sky overhead. Crows caw and the sweet seduction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-jones/somewhere-a-rattlesnake-strike-makes-the-dance-begin-three-hawks/) [Hunter S. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-jones/) > [To the goggling unbeliever Texans say, as people always say about their mangier dishes, 'But it's just like chicken, only tenderer.' Rattlesnake is, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-cooke/to-the-goggling-unbeliever-texans-say-as-people-always-say-about/) [Alistair Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-cooke/) > [RATTLESNAKE, n. Our prostrate brother, "Homo ventrambulans".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rattlesnake-n-our-prostrate-brother-homo-ventrambulans/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [After a hard day of basic training, you could eat a rattlesnake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-presley/after-a-hard-day-of-basic-training-you-could-eat-a-rattlesnake/) [Elvis Presley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-presley/) > [He will fight a rattlesnake and give it the first two bites too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/navjot-singh-sidhu/he-will-fight-a-rattlesnake-and-give-it-the-first-two-bites-too/) [Navjot Singh Sidhu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/navjot-singh-sidhu/) > [When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck to crush him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/when-you-see-a-rattlesnake-poised-to-strike-you-do-not-wait-until-he/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [WHEN AUGUSTUS CAME OUT on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake—not a very big one. It had probably just been crawling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-mcmurtry/when-augustus-came-out-on-the-porch-the-blue-pigs-were-eating-a/) [Larry McMurtry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-mcmurtry/) > [Slapping a rattlesnake across the face with the back of your hand is safer than trying to fool Henry Aaron.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-osteen/slapping-a-rattlesnake-across-the-face-with-the-back-of-your-hand-is/) [Claude Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-osteen/) > [Just because they're drop dead gorgeous, with a killer figure. Doesn't mean they're not hiding, a personality of a rattlesnake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/just-because-they-re-drop-dead-gorgeous-with-a-killer-figure-doesn-t/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [“The bank man had been standing quietly by our picnic table, waiting to lock up the house. Around his waist he wore a live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-e-medford/the-bank-man-had-been-standing-quietly-by-our-picnic-table-waiting-to/) [C.E. Medford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-e-medford/) > [Every time I come across a rattlesnake on my farm I initially react in fear and am tempted to kill it. Then I realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-keen/every-time-i-come-across-a-rattlesnake-on-my-farm-i-initially-react/) [Sam Keen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-keen/) ## More by Dale Carnegie > [“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but with creatures bristling with prejudice and motivated by pride and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/when-dealing-with-people-remember-you-are-not-dealing-with-creatures/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I deal with the obvious. I present, reiterate, and glorify the obvious - because the obvious is what people need to be told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-deal-with-the-obvious-i-present-reiterate-and-glorify-the-obvious/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [You can make more friends in two months by becoming more interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/you-can-make-more-friends-in-two-months-by-becoming-more-interested/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“The man who goes farthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The sure-thing boat never gets far from shore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/the-man-who-goes-farthest-is-generally-the-one-who-is-willing-to-do/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“Apply the blacksmith's homely principle when you are speaking. If you feel deeply about your subject you will be able to think of little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/apply-the-blacksmith-s-homely-principle-when-you-are-speaking-if-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/one-of-the-most-tragic-things-i-know-about-human-nature-is-that-all/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-can-t-sleep-then-get-up-and-do-something-instead-of-lying/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinking-about-you-and-me-or-caring/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/those-convinced-against-their-will-are-of-the-same-opinion-still/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism - and wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/each-nation-feels-superior-to-other-nations-that-breeds-patriotism/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [We are gods in the chrysalis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/we-are-gods-in-the-chrysalis/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [If you want to know how to make people shun you and laugh at you behind your back and even despise you, here is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/if-you-want-to-know-how-to-make-people-shun-you-and-laugh-at-you/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [So if you aspire to be a good conversationali st, be an attentive listener. To be interesting, be interested. Ask questions that other persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/so-if-you-aspire-to-be-a-good-conversationali-st-be-an-attentive/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Don't be afraid of enemies who attack you. Be afraid of the friends who flatter you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/don-t-be-afraid-of-enemies-who-attack-you-be-afraid-of-the-friends/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Explore all 592 Dale Carnegie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) ## More Mother and father quotes > [Our mother and father are our way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/our-mother-and-father-are-our-way-of-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All of my decisions I made when I was a kid were decisions, would my mother and father be proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-venturi/all-of-my-decisions-i-made-when-i-was-a-kid-were-decisions-would-my/) [Ken Venturi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-venturi/) > [My mother is a huge fan of my work. I told her about 'Coraline' long before the film was made, and she got the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-selick/my-mother-is-a-huge-fan-of-my-work-i-told-her-about-coraline-long/) [Henry Selick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-selick/) > [We used to go to the jazz fest in Kansas City. And my mother and father took me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-steward/we-used-to-go-to-the-jazz-fest-in-kansas-city-and-my-mother-and/) [David Steward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-steward/) > [“Other freshmen were already moving into their dormitory rooms when we arrived, with their parents helping haul. I saw boxes of paperbacks, stereo equipment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-erdrich/other-freshmen-were-already-moving-into-their-dormitory-rooms-when-we/) [Louise Erdrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-erdrich/) > [When I got my first check I was thinking my mother and father didn't make this probably in their lifetime. It's real amazing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/when-i-got-my-first-check-i-was-thinking-my-mother-and-father-didn-t/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [“Romantic literature often presents the individual as somebody caught in a struggle against the state and the market. Nothing could be further from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/romantic-literature-often-presents-the-individual-as-somebody-caught/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“A grim expression came over Syah’s face. “The colt you speak of lost its mother during a storm. If this stallion was that colt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-raver/a-grim-expression-came-over-syah-s-face-the-colt-you-speak-of-lost/) [Danielle Raver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-raver/) > [“Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger-2/nobody-d-be-different-the-only-thing-that-would-be-different-would-be/) [J. D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger-2/) > [The fan mail I get from kids are asking me questions which they do not ask their mothers and fathers. Because if they had,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-sendak/the-fan-mail-i-get-from-kids-are-asking-me-questions-which-they-do/) [Maurice Sendak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-sendak/) > [My family - my mother and father had gone through such a hard time that by the time I graduated from sixth grade, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruby-bridges/my-family-my-mother-and-father-had-gone-through-such-a-hard-time-that/) [Ruby Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruby-bridges/) > [“Faith for her was habit and family loyalty, a reverence for the Bible which was also literary, admiration for her mother and father. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/faith-for-her-was-habit-and-family-loyalty-a-reverence-for-the-bible/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [One girl who stands out was this Miami stripper. She still lives with her mother and father, and they know she strips. They call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/method-man/one-girl-who-stands-out-was-this-miami-stripper-she-still-lives-with/) [Method Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/method-man/) > [The deer aren't our prey or our possessions -- they're us. They're us at one point in the cycle of life and we're them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/the-deer-aren-t-our-prey-or-our-possessions-they-re-us-they-re-us-at/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [You were born to lead as mothers and fathers because nowhere is righteous leadership more crucial than in the family. You were born to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-were-born-to-lead-as-mothers-and-fathers-because-nowhere-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 477 Mother and father quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-and-father/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The only reason, for example, that you are not a rattlesnake is that your mother and father weren't rattlesnakes. 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