--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you had managed to persuade my mother…" description: "\"“If you had managed to persuade my mother not to procreate, I would not exist to send you the plans for constructing your own time machine in which to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-thorne-27213_mother_if-you-had-managed-to-persuade-my-mother_510265.jpg" --- # If you had managed to persuade my mother not to procreate… ![“If you had managed to persuade my mother not to procreate, I would not exist to send you the plans for constructing your own time machine in which to travel back in time to persuade my mother not to procreate. Apparently, this is known as a pair of ducks.” quote by David Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-thorne-27213_mother_if-you-had-managed-to-persuade-my-mother_510265.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-thorne-27213_mother_if-you-had-managed-to-persuade-my-mother_510265.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/david-thorne-27213_mother_if-you-had-managed-to-persuade-my-mother_510265.jpg) > ““If you had managed to persuade my mother not to procreate, I would not exist to send you the plans for constructing your own time machine in which to travel back in time to persuade my mother not to procreate. Apparently, this is known as a pair of ducks.”” [David Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thorne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A convoluted time‑travel paradox illustrating how trying to change the past creates a self‑fulfilling loop, humorously described as “a pair of ducks.” **In simple terms:** Changing the past can trap you in a loop. Key Takeaway Avoid paradoxes; accept present reality. Themes paradox causality humor Mood ironic playful Type humorous philosophical When to use this quote - relationship advice - science fiction writing - philosophical debate Key Concepts time travel self‑reference causal loops Questions to Reflect On - Can you ever truly change the past? - What does this say about trying to control outcomes? A Different Perspective The scenario is absurd and impractical. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother Procreate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-procreate-4326305/) [Pair Ducks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pair-ducks-4326307/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Persuade Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persuade-mother-4326306/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-machine/) [Travel Back In Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel-back-in-time/) ## Related quotes > [“43 Age is a number, that’s no excuse I see let’s get at terms with 43 Age is sure, strong & surprisingly it flees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-vijay/43-age-is-a-number-that-s-no-excuse-i-see-let-s-get-at-terms-with-43-2/) [Radhika Vijay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-vijay/) > [“43 Age is a number, that’s no excuse I see let’s get at terms with 43 It’s truly a nice day to travel back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhika-vijay/43-age-is-a-number-that-s-no-excuse-i-see-let-s-get-at-terms-with-43/) [Radhika Vijay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhika-vijay/) > [“I wish I could travel back in time, not to feel younger or change the course of history and bring us back together, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mouloud-benzadi/i-wish-i-could-travel-back-in-time-not-to-feel-younger-or-change-the/) [Mouloud Benzadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mouloud-benzadi/) > [Travel back in time, Laugh till you cry, Dig for buried treasure, Experience the thrill of rock-climbing, Outsmart the crouds, Take in a panoramic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/travel-back-in-time-laugh-till-you-cry-dig-for-buried-treasure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is only now, no future or past just now. 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