--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a…" description: "\"Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, whilst thousands of great cattle, reposed beneath the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/edmund-burke-400_british_because-half-a-dozen-grasshoppers-under_2209038.jpg" --- # Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the… ![“Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, whilst thousands of great cattle, reposed beneath the shadow of the British oak, chew the cud and are silent, pray, to not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field…” quote by Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/edmund-burke-400_british_because-half-a-dozen-grasshoppers-under_2209038.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/edmund-burke-400_british_because-half-a-dozen-grasshoppers-under_2209038.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a9/edmund-burke-400_british_because-half-a-dozen-grasshoppers-under_2209038.jpg) > “Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, whilst thousands of great cattle, reposed beneath the shadow of the British oak, chew the cud and are silent, pray, to not imagine that those who make the noise are the only inhabitants of the field; that, of course, they are many in number; or that, after all, they are other than the little, shriveled, meagre, hopping, though loud and troublesome insects of the hour.” [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Noise does not equate to importance; the quiet majority often holds greater substance than the loud minority. **In simple terms:** Quiet often matters more than noise. Key Takeaway Listen beyond the clamor. Themes humility perspective power dynamics Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - political discourse - environmental activism - team meetings - community planning Key Concepts social hierarchy silence vs. noise minority influence Questions to Reflect On - Who are the quiet contributors you overlook? - How can you amplify silent but valuable perspectives? A Different Perspective Loud voices can dominate attention, obscuring deeper contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Cattle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cattle/) [Cattle Reposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cattle-reposed-4066886/) [Chinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chinks/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Dozen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dozen/) [Dozen Grasshoppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dozen-grasshoppers-4066885/) [Ferns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ferns/) [Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fields/) [Grasshoppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grasshoppers/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Hopping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopping/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine/) [Imagine that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine-that/) [Importunate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/importunate/) [Insects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insects/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loud/) [Noise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noise/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oaks/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Rings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rings/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Troublesome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troublesome/) [Troublesome Insects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troublesome-insects-4884948/) ## Related quotes > [“Because half a dozen grasshoppers under a fern make the field ring with their importunate chink, whilst thousands of great cattle, reposed beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/because-half-a-dozen-grasshoppers-under-a-fern-make-the-field-ring/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [We cannot assume the injustice of any actions which only create offense, and especially as regards religion and morals. 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You shall begin it well and serenely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/tomorrow-is-a-new-day-you-shall-begin-it-well-and-serenely/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [So long as you have courage and a sense of humor, it is never too late to start life afresh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freeman-dyson/so-long-as-you-have-courage-and-a-sense-of-humor-it-is-never-too-late/) [Freeman Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freeman-dyson/) > [You cannot do a kindness too soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/you-cannot-do-a-kindness-too-soon/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [God loves importunate prayer so much that He will not give us much blessing without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adoniram-judson/god-loves-importunate-prayer-so-much-that-he-will-not-give-us-much/) [Adoniram Judson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adoniram-judson/) > [The prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were, joined with strong cries and tears, herein setting us example not only to pray, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/the-prayers-and-supplications-that-christ-offered-up-were-joined-with/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/we-can-do-nothing-without-prayer-all-things-can-be-done-by/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [In fame's temple there is always a niche to be found for rich dunces, importunate scoundrels, or successful butchers of the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/in-fame-s-temple-there-is-always-a-niche-to-be-found-for-rich-dunces/) [Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-georg-ritter-von-zimmermann/) > [Oh! full Surrey twilight! importunate band! Oh! strongly adorable tennis-girl's hand!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-betjeman/oh-full-surrey-twilight-importunate-band-oh-strongly-adorable-tennis/) [John Betjeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-betjeman/) > [Embrace your uniqueness. Time is much too short to be living someone else's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobi-yamada/embrace-your-uniqueness-time-is-much-too-short-to-be-living-someone/) [Kobi Yamada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobi-yamada/) > [Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/do-not-be-too-timid-and-squeamish-about-your-actions/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Edmund Burke > [It is the interest of the commercial world that wealth should be found everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/it-is-the-interest-of-the-commercial-world-that-wealth-should-be/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [“Many of the greatest tyrants on the records of history have begun their reigns in the fairest manner. 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I pardon something to the spirit of liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/my-vigour-relents-i-pardon-something-to-the-spirit-of-liberty/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [A speculative despair is unpardonable where it our duty to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/a-speculative-despair-is-unpardonable-where-it-our-duty-to-act/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of thegreat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/the-great-must-submit-to-the-dominion-of-prudence-and-of-virtue-or/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Those who have been once intoxicated with power, and have derived any kind of emolument from it, even though but for one year, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/those-who-have-been-once-intoxicated-with-power-and-have-derived-any/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [What is it we all seek for in an election? 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It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/society-is-indeed-a-contract-it-is-a-partnership-in-all-science-a/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [You can never plan the future by the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/you-can-never-plan-the-future-by-the-past/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [The great inlet by which a colour for oppression has entered into the world is by one man's pretending to determine concerning the happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/the-great-inlet-by-which-a-colour-for-oppression-has-entered-into-the/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [By the disposition of a stupendous wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human race, the whole, at one time, is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/by-the-disposition-of-a-stupendous-wisdom-moulding-together-the-great/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Religion, to have any force upon men's understandings,--indeed, to exist at all,--must be supposed paramount to law, and independent for its substance upon any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/religion-to-have-any-force-upon-men-s-understandings-indeed-to-exist/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Explore all 595 Edmund Burke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) ## More British quotes > [I'd love to work in the States; I'd love to work anywhere where you get a good script and a good part to play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-carmichael/i-d-love-to-work-in-the-states-i-d-love-to-work-anywhere-where-you/) [Laura Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-carmichael/) > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [When we first sold the Wallace and Gromit shorts to America, people suggested we get rid of the strange British accents and put clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-park/when-we-first-sold-the-wallace-and-gromit-shorts-to-america-people/) [Nick Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-park/) > [I always wanted to make a 'James Bond' film, and they only seemed to hire British directors, and I'd made 'Swingers' - they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-liman/i-always-wanted-to-make-a-james-bond-film-and-they-only-seemed-to/) [Doug Liman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-liman/) > [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/) [Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/) > [All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of 'Dynasty?' No thanks!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sade-adu/all-the-cliches-of-glamorous-sophistication-have-little-appeal-to-me/) [Sade Adu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sade-adu/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) > [Although I don't have anything against people from other countries, the higher the influx into England the more the British identity disappears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/although-i-don-t-have-anything-against-people-from-other-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [While we like to think queueing is unique to British culture, the truth is that we are mere amateurs. 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