Be careful Quote by Dean Koontz
“Grapes are juicy. Strawberries. Oranges. Good pork chops are succulent," said Dusty. "But the word isn't accurately descriptive of a person." Smiling with delight, Ahriman said, "Oh, really, not accurately descriptive? Be careful housepainter. Your genes are showing. What if I were a cannibal?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz, 1981
The speaker uses vivid food metaphors to illustrate that labels can misrepresent a person's true nature, urging caution in judging by appearances.
In simple terms: Labels can mislead about who someone truly is.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond surface descriptions.
Themes
identity
perception
judgment
language
metaphor
Mood
thoughtful
critical
ironic
Type
observational
philosophical
cautionary
When to use this quote
- personal interactions
- online profiles
- first impressions
- team introductions
Key Concepts
semantic distortion
self‑presentation
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure you see beyond labels?
- When have you misjudged someone based on a description?
A Different Perspective
Metaphors may oversimplify complex identities.
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)
