--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Picture a litter of kittens. One is more…" description: "\"“Picture a litter of kittens. One is more curious than the next. One is more aggressive than the next. One is a leader, and another is a follower. The ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7c/eric-maisel-3062_kittens_picture-a-litter-of-kittens-one-is-more_491976.jpg" --- # Picture a litter of kittens. One is more curious than the… ![“Picture a litter of kittens. One is more curious than the next. One is more aggressive than the next. One is a leader, and another is a follower. The first is not potentially curious; she is already curious. The second is not potentially aggressive; he is already aggressive. The third and the…” quote by Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7c/eric-maisel-3062_kittens_picture-a-litter-of-kittens-one-is-more_491976.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7c/eric-maisel-3062_kittens_picture-a-litter-of-kittens-one-is-more_491976.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a7c/eric-maisel-3062_kittens_picture-a-litter-of-kittens-one-is-more_491976.jpg) > ““Picture a litter of kittens. One is more curious than the next. One is more aggressive than the next. One is a leader, and another is a follower. The first is not potentially curious; she is already curious. The second is not potentially aggressive; he is already aggressive. The third and the fourth are not potentially leaders and followers; they are already that. In exactly the same way a human infant is not potentially smart; he is already smart.”” [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human traits are innate; individuals are already curious, aggressive, leaders, or followers, not merely potential. **In simple terms:** Traits are inherent. Key Takeaway Recognize and nurture existing qualities. Themes identity development potential human nature Mood analytical inspirational Type psychological motivational When to use this quote - education - leadership training - parenting - team building Key Concepts psychology self-actualization Questions to Reflect On - How can we support innate traits without pigeonholing? - What role does environment play in expressing these traits? A Different Perspective Risk of labeling and limiting growth potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kittens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kittens/) [Leaders And Followers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders-and-followers/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) ## Related quotes > [Human nature is potentially aggressive and destructive and potentially orderly and constructive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/human-nature-is-potentially-aggressive-and-destructive-and/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [The English are potentially very aggressive, very violent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-straw/the-english-are-potentially-very-aggressive-very-violent/) [Jack Straw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-straw/) > [“She missed the autumn weekends at somebody's country house, leaf-fall and touch football, kids tumbling down grassy slopes, leaders and followers, all watched by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/she-missed-the-autumn-weekends-at-somebody-s-country-house-leaf-fall/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [Such leadership occurs when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/such-leadership-occurs-when-one-or-more-persons-engage-with-others-in/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [Sometimes I am convinced there is nothing wrong with this country that couldn't be cured by the magical implantation of ethical standards on us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bradlee/sometimes-i-am-convinced-there-is-nothing-wrong-with-this-country/) [Ben Bradlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bradlee/) > [Every human endeavor has leaders and followers, and your job as a leader is to inspire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/every-human-endeavor-has-leaders-and-followers-and-your-job-as-a/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [The future of any corporation is as good as the value system of the leaders and followers in the organization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-r-narayana-murthy/the-future-of-any-corporation-is-as-good-as-the-value-system-of-the/) [N. R. Narayana Murthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-r-narayana-murthy/) > [Moral authority is another way to define servant leadership because it represents a reciprocal choice between leader and follower. If the leader is principle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-k-greenleaf/moral-authority-is-another-way-to-define-servant-leadership-because/) [Robert K. Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-k-greenleaf/) > [Leadership is an influence relationship among leaders and followers who intend real changes that reflect their mutual purposes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-c-rost/leadership-is-an-influence-relationship-among-leaders-and-followers/) Joseph C. Rost > [“Groups are, in a sense, a microcosm of the real world. In all groups, there are leaders and followers . . . and many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/groups-are-in-a-sense-a-microcosm-of-the-real-world-in-all-groups/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [The leader is one who mobilizes others toward a goal shared by leaders and followers. ... Leaders, followers and goals make up the three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-leader-is-one-who-mobilizes-others-toward-a-goal-shared-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The ultimate goal of fostering is to get kittens and cats adopted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ostrosky-stern/the-ultimate-goal-of-fostering-is-to-get-kittens-and-cats-adopted/) [Beth Ostrosky Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ostrosky-stern/) > [“Eric Poole began with cats. Or, to be more exact, kittens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cormier/eric-poole-began-with-cats-or-to-be-more-exact-kittens/) [Robert Cormier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cormier/) > [But buds will be roses, and kittens, cats - more's the pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/but-buds-will-be-roses-and-kittens-cats-more-s-the-pity/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [Kittens can happen to anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gallico/kittens-can-happen-to-anyone/) [Paul Gallico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gallico/) ## More by Eric Maisel > [Affirmations need to be used if they are to become incorporated into the fabric of your being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/affirmations-need-to-be-used-if-they-are-to-become-incorporated-into/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [The wise artist makes peace with the fact that he will understand less than he had anticipated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/the-wise-artist-makes-peace-with-the-fact-that-he-will-understand/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [Creativity requires introspection, self-examination, and a willingness to take risks. Because of this, artists are perhaps more susceptible to self-doubt and despair than those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/creativity-requires-introspection-self-examination-and-a-willingness/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [You can't plan in advance for everything - every mood swing, every mistake you might make in execution, every shift in your circumstances. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/you-can-t-plan-in-advance-for-everything-every-mood-swing-every/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [It is in an artist's real interest to congratulate herself more often: not out of narcissism, but in her role as her own dear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/it-is-in-an-artist-s-real-interest-to-congratulate-herself-more-often/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [“What if you can't help but judge life negatively? What if yesterday felt awful, today feels awful, and tomorrow is likely to feel awful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/what-if-you-can-t-help-but-judge-life-negatively-what-if-yesterday/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [The artist's personality, built upon strong desires and compassionate vision, is by its nature prone to depression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/the-artist-s-personality-built-upon-strong-desires-and-compassionate/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [“The song you write may be beautiful, the research you conceive may be beautiful, but you are the real beauty in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/the-song-you-write-may-be-beautiful-the-research-you-conceive-may-be/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [“How you conceptualize meaning matters. If you hold that it is outside of yourself and must be tracked down, you have one idea of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/how-you-conceptualize-meaning-matters-if-you-hold-that-it-is-outside/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [Artists have wild desires and a terrible hunger to achieve... Without it they haven't the juice for striving or loving. But desire also can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/artists-have-wild-desires-and-a-terrible-hunger-to-achieve-without-it/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [If you bring your sexual impulses to your creative work... you'll be working from deep in the genetic code, down where life wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/if-you-bring-your-sexual-impulses-to-your-creative-work-you-ll-be/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [The artist is a god, but he is also an idiot. That is the human way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/the-artist-is-a-god-but-he-is-also-an-idiot-that-is-the-human-way/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [It goes against an artist's grain to retire. But whether he retires or not, he will age... What work will get done in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/it-goes-against-an-artist-s-grain-to-retire-but-whether-he-retires-or/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [Boredom is the thing that regularly arrives between excitements and episodes of meaning: it is as natural as the tides, and in it an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/boredom-is-the-thing-that-regularly-arrives-between-excitements-and/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) > [The middle way cannot be achieved by dividing two extremes in half.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-maisel/the-middle-way-cannot-be-achieved-by-dividing-two-extremes-in-half/) [Eric Maisel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) [Explore all 141 Eric Maisel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-maisel/) ## More Kittens quotes > [Kittens can happen to anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gallico/kittens-can-happen-to-anyone/) [Paul Gallico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gallico/) > [But buds will be roses, and kittens, cats - more's the pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/but-buds-will-be-roses-and-kittens-cats-more-s-the-pity/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [“Eric Poole began with cats. Or, to be more exact, kittens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cormier/eric-poole-began-with-cats-or-to-be-more-exact-kittens/) [Robert Cormier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cormier/) > [The ultimate goal of fostering is to get kittens and cats adopted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ostrosky-stern/the-ultimate-goal-of-fostering-is-to-get-kittens-and-cats-adopted/) [Beth Ostrosky Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ostrosky-stern/) > [“I wanted to find a nice quiet spot, go to sleep, and dream about kittens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corwin/i-wanted-to-find-a-nice-quiet-spot-go-to-sleep-and-dream-about-kittens/) [John Corwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corwin/) > [With little wit and ease to suit them, They whirl in narrow circling trails, Like kittens playing with their tails.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/with-little-wit-and-ease-to-suit-them-they-whirl-in-narrow-circling/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Kittens are so messy and sometimes require several feedings a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ostrosky-stern/kittens-are-so-messy-and-sometimes-require-several-feedings-a-day/) [Beth Ostrosky Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ostrosky-stern/) > [Alex McLeish will have had kittens - literally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-coleman/alex-mcleish-will-have-had-kittens-literally/) [Chris Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-coleman/) > [Kittens can bring joy but their claws are sharp……… kinda like friends.. LOL!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaliyah-hurley/kittens-can-bring-joy-but-their-claws-are-sharp-kinda-like-friends-lol/) [AAliyah Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaliyah-hurley/) > [“The trouble with sleeping with kittens is (and there is NO WAY I could ever have known this) – kittens have fleas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-trouble-with-sleeping-with-kittens-is-and-there-is-no-way-i-could/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-e-varnado/it-is-impossible-to-keep-a-straight-face-in-the-presence-of-one-or/) Cynthia E. Varnado > [“I had a dream about you last night... You replaced all the people in your life with kittens. It felt more like a prediction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-summers/i-had-a-dream-about-you-last-night-you-replaced-all-the-people-in/) [Amy Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-summers/) > [That's the trouble with living things. Don't last very long. Kittens one day, old cats the next. And then just memories. And the memories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/that-s-the-trouble-with-living-things-don-t-last-very-long-kittens/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [There’s no such thing as free kittens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-p-cleary/there-s-no-such-thing-as-free-kittens/) [Brian P. Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-p-cleary/) > [“It had the expression common to all kittens, that of a tyrant in the becoming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/it-had-the-expression-common-to-all-kittens-that-of-a-tyrant-in-the/) [Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/) [Browse all 116 Kittens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kittens/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Picture a litter of kittens. One is more curious than the next. One is more aggressive than the next. One is a leader, and another is a follower. The first is not potentially curious; she is already curious. The second is not potentially aggressive; he is already aggressive. The third and the fourth are not potentially leaders and followers; they are already that. 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