--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. And not a…" description: "\"“Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. And not a decent creature among them thought to say that the only rule in it is for a man to have a fine, steady seat for an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/dorothy-dunnett-1876_elephant_faith-thought-o-liamroe-and-not-a-decent_351974.jpg" --- # Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. And not a decent creature among… ![“Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. And not a decent creature among them thought to say that the only rule in it is for a man to have a fine, steady seat for an elephant.” quote by Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/dorothy-dunnett-1876_elephant_faith-thought-o-liamroe-and-not-a-decent_351974.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/dorothy-dunnett-1876_elephant_faith-thought-o-liamroe-and-not-a-decent_351974.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/beb/dorothy-dunnett-1876_elephant_faith-thought-o-liamroe-and-not-a-decent_351974.jpg) > ““Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. And not a decent creature among them thought to say that the only rule in it is for a man to have a fine, steady seat for an elephant.”” [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote humorously critiques the absurdity of imposing trivial rules on grand endeavors, suggesting that focusing on minor comforts (like a seat for an elephant) misses the larger purpose. **In simple terms:** Trivial comforts distract from true purpose. Key Takeaway Prioritize meaningful goals over petty concerns. Themes humor absurdity purpose rules comfort Mood witty ironic Type satirical literary When to use this quote - political satire - creative writing - character dialogue - literary analysis Key Concepts Satire social critique philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How do we balance humor with serious critique? - When does satire become distraction? A Different Perspective It may overlook genuine structural issues in favor of comedic effect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Elephant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elephant/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Rule Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-man-572374/) [Seat Elephant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seat-elephant-3248811/) [Steady Seat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steady-seat-3248813/) [Thought Liamroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-liamroe-3248812/) ## Related quotes > [No man shall rule over me with my consent. I will rule over no man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-lloyd-garrison/no-man-shall-rule-over-me-with-my-consent-i-will-rule-over-no-man/) [William Lloyd Garrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-lloyd-garrison/) > [Virtues are, in the popular estimate, rather the exception than the rule. There is the man and his virtues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/virtues-are-in-the-popular-estimate-rather-the-exception-than-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Do not seek to rule any man other than yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/do-not-seek-to-rule-any-man-other-than-yourself/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [As a rule, the man who can do all things equally well is a very mediocre individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/as-a-rule-the-man-who-can-do-all-things-equally-well-is-a-very/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“It is not in a woman's best interest to rule man. I don't believe any good women would want that position." - Ayn Rand”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-bida/it-is-not-in-a-woman-s-best-interest-to-rule-man-i-don-t-believe-any/) [Brooke Bida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-bida/) > [“Rule no man than yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/rule-no-man-than-yourself/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [My father had a flat rule. He believed that every man's house was his castle. He had a flat rule: no man could come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurgood-marshall/my-father-had-a-flat-rule-he-believed-that-every-man-s-house-was-his/) [Thurgood Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurgood-marshall/) > [“No man has the right to rule over another man, otherwise such a right necessarily, and immediately becomes the right of the strongest. 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Its not stylish in the sense of expensive suits and Italian cars, but the styling on every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tinie-tempah/i-watched-a-film-called-elephant-recently-its-not-stylish-in-the/) [Tinie Tempah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tinie-tempah/) > [“As I remarked before, the Asiatic elephant is smaller than the African, which is frequently twelve feet high, and its tusks are in proportion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-i-remarked-before-the-asiatic-elephant-is-smaller-than-the-african/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) ## More by Dorothy Dunnett > [“I echo like a mynah, that’s why.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/i-echo-like-a-mynah-that-s-why/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Haven't I been worth five years' excellent gossip to you? Are you not all waiting agog to see me seize my sister-in-law by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/haven-t-i-been-worth-five-years-excellent-gossip-to-you-are-you-not/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Where are the links of the chain ... joining us to the past?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/where-are-the-links-of-the-chain-joining-us-to-the-past/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Standing safely on the opposite bank with her dry maid, her dry escort, and a company of streaming horsemen, Philippa said scathingly, ‘That’s men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/standing-safely-on-the-opposite-bank-with-her-dry-maid-her-dry-escort/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“It wasna a man,’ said Andrew Kerr broadly. ‘T’was my aunty. I tellt ye. 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I don't like the cold-blooded scheming at the beginning and the carnage at the end and the grumbling and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/i-don-t-like-this-war-i-don-t-like-the-cold-blooded-scheming-at-the/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“It is not easy for Brehons to decide concerning bees that have taken up their lodging in the trees of a noble dignitary; with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/it-is-not-easy-for-brehons-to-decide-concerning-bees-that-have-taken/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Go away and bleed to death,’ said his onetime saviour sharply. ‘On behalf of the female sex I feel I may cheer every lesion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/go-away-and-bleed-to-death-said-his-onetime-saviour-sharply-on-behalf/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [Lack of genius never held anyone back. Only time wasted on resentment and daydreaming can do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/lack-of-genius-never-held-anyone-back-only-time-wasted-on-resentment/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“What do you hope for that you haven’t got? What can that child give you?’ There was a little silence. ‘A virgin audience for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/what-do-you-hope-for-that-you-haven-t-got-what-can-that-child-give/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [Did I ever tell you,’ said Lymond pausing on the afterthought, on his way to the flap, ‘that that aunt of mine once hatched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/did-i-ever-tell-you-said-lymond-pausing-on-the-afterthought-on-his/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Which reminds me -' 'The new ladies have arrived,' said Adam grimly. 'Guaranteed of clean stock, and inured to Russian practices. Osep has announced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/which-reminds-me-the-new-ladies-have-arrived-said-adam-grimly/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“So: ‘Why did you laugh?’ demanded Philippa, and shook Jerott’s hand off her arm. ‘Oh, that?’ said Lymond. ‘But, my dear child, the picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/so-why-did-you-laugh-demanded-philippa-and-shook-jerott-s-hand-off/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [It seems to me,’ said Philippa prosaically, ‘that on the whole we run more risks with Mr Crawford’s protection than without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/it-seems-to-me-said-philippa-prosaically-that-on-the-whole-we-run/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) > [“Gabriel,’ said Jerott firmly, ‘is now at Birgu, Malta, engaged in a life-and-death struggle for the Grand Mastership of the Order of St John.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-dunnett/gabriel-said-jerott-firmly-is-now-at-birgu-malta-engaged-in-a-life/) [Dorothy Dunnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) [Explore all 201 Dorothy Dunnett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-dunnett/) ## More Elephant quotes > [“As I remarked before, the Asiatic elephant is smaller than the African, which is frequently twelve feet high, and its tusks are in proportion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/as-i-remarked-before-the-asiatic-elephant-is-smaller-than-the-african/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [I watched a film called 'Elephant' recently. 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Success…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-taffer/i-think-success-is-a-relative-term-if-you-re-a-caveman-success-is/) [Jon Taffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-taffer/) > [“How much does an elephant weigh? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-patton/how-much-does-an-elephant-weigh/) [Rhonda Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-patton/) > [“Money, you could say, was the elephant in The Room .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-sestero/money-you-could-say-was-the-elephant-in-the-room/) [Greg Sestero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-sestero/) > [“The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-nakoneczny-high-school-track-coach/the-best-way-to-eat-an-elephant-is-one-bite-at-a-time/) [Wayne Nakoneczny high school track coach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-nakoneczny-high-school-track-coach/) > [I've been told I looked like I swallowed an elephant or a pig, whichever was more fitting that day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katelyn-ohashi/i-ve-been-told-i-looked-like-i-swallowed-an-elephant-or-a-pig/) [Katelyn Ohashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katelyn-ohashi/) > [My first experience with film was through a still camera. I would sit, very much against my will, with my father in the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavid-hood/my-first-experience-with-film-was-through-a-still-camera-i-would-sit/) [Gavid Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavid-hood/) > [If you've never seen an elephant ski, then you've never been on acid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/if-you-ve-never-seen-an-elephant-ski-then-you-ve-never-been-on-acid/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [Unlike the primate hand, the elephant's grasping organ is also its nose. Elephants use their trunks not only to reach food but also to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-de-waal/unlike-the-primate-hand-the-elephant-s-grasping-organ-is-also-its/) [Frans de Waal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-de-waal/) > [And that is how Goodwin problems were always fixed. Fix them on the surface but don't go to the root, always ignoring the elephant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/and-that-is-how-goodwin-problems-were-always-fixed-fix-them-on-the/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I like my stationery to be funnier, like, 'Here's my note, and it's an elephant with a lady smoking a cigarette on top.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-spade/i-like-my-stationery-to-be-funnier-like-here-s-my-note-and-it-s-an/) [Kate Spade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-spade/) > [“It was the size of an ox, of a bull elephant, of a lifetime. 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You can't take the vision of Ted Kennedy and merge it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-rauschenberger/no-child-left-behind-is-a-giraffe-with-an-elephant-s-body-you-can-t/) [Steve Rauschenberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-rauschenberger/) [Browse all 316 Elephant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elephant/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Faith, thought O’LiamRoe. 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