--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This wise old whiskery fish swims up to…" description: "\"“This wise old whiskery fish swims up to three young fish and goes, 'Morning, boys, how's the water?' and swims away; and the three young fish watch hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/david-foster-wallace-161_fish_this-wise-old-whiskery-fish-swims-up-to_2239061.jpg" --- # This wise old whiskery fish swims up to three young fish… ![“This wise old whiskery fish swims up to three young fish and goes, 'Morning, boys, how's the water?' and swims away; and the three young fish watch him swim away and look at each other and go, 'What the fuck is water?' and swim away.” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/david-foster-wallace-161_fish_this-wise-old-whiskery-fish-swims-up-to_2239061.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/david-foster-wallace-161_fish_this-wise-old-whiskery-fish-swims-up-to_2239061.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/158/david-foster-wallace-161_fish_this-wise-old-whiskery-fish-swims-up-to_2239061.jpg) > ““This wise old whiskery fish swims up to three young fish and goes, 'Morning, boys, how's the water?' and swims away; and the three young fish watch him swim away and look at each other and go, 'What the fuck is water?' and swim away.”” [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A metaphorical fish questions the nature of reality, highlighting how we often overlook the obvious. **In simple terms:** We often ignore the obvious truths around us. Key Takeaway Question assumptions and seek deeper understanding. Themes perception reality questioning Mood thought‑provoking philosophical Type reflective critical When to use this quote - education - philosophical discussion - critical thinking Key Concepts existentialism awareness Questions to Reflect On - What "water" are you missing? - How can you become more aware of hidden assumptions? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can distract from simple truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Joke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joke/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/there-are-these-two-young-fish-swimming-along-and-they-happen-to-meet/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/no-good-fish-goes-anywhere-without-a-porpoise/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [We know the only fish that goes with the flow is a dead fish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/we-know-the-only-fish-that-goes-with-the-flow-is-a-dead-fish/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [People says that JUST GO WITH THE FLOW But I Dnt think so only dead FISH goes with the flow MAKE YOU OWN WAYS](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajat-dogra/people-says-that-just-go-with-the-flow-but-i-dnt-think-so-only-dead/) [Rajat Dogra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajat-dogra/) > [Only the gamefish swims upstream, But the sensible fish swims down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/only-the-gamefish-swims-upstream-but-the-sensible-fish-swims-down/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [The guerrilla must move amongst the people as a fish swims in the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-guerrilla-must-move-amongst-the-people-as-a-fish-swims-in-the-sea/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [A pelican that is wet walks with a gated limp, but a dry fish swims alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/a-pelican-that-is-wet-walks-with-a-gated-limp-but-a-dry-fish-swims/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [“A pelican that is wet walks with a gaited limp, and the dry fish swims alone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/a-pelican-that-is-wet-walks-with-a-gaited-limp-and-the-dry-fish-swims/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [Westminster is no joke. 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Just get me a new drink and try not to include and of your STD-laced body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrington/you-know-where-you-can-shove-your-joke-just-get-me-a-new-drink-and/) [Kim Harrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrington/) ## More by David Foster Wallace > [“I felt more solidly composed, now that I was horizontal. 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