--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He opened the jar of pickles when no one…" description: "\"He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go into the basement by himself. He cut hims..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c9/erma-bombeck-780_basements_he-opened-the-jar-of-pickles-when-no-one_1546495.png" --- # He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. He… ![“He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go into the basement by himself. He cut himself shaving, but no one kissed it or got excited about it. It was understood when it rained, he got the car and brought it around to the door. When…” quote by Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c9/erma-bombeck-780_basements_he-opened-the-jar-of-pickles-when-no-one_1546495.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c9/erma-bombeck-780_basements_he-opened-the-jar-of-pickles-when-no-one_1546495.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c9/erma-bombeck-780_basements_he-opened-the-jar-of-pickles-when-no-one_1546495.png) > “He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go into the basement by himself. He cut himself shaving, but no one kissed it or got excited about it. It was understood when it rained, he got the car and brought it around to the door. When anyone was sick, he went out to get the prescription filled. He took lots of pictures... but he was never in them.” [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person who quietly handles tasks others avoid, showing bravery and self‑sacrifice without seeking recognition. **In simple terms:** He does the hard work unnoticed. Key Takeaway Do small acts of courage matter more than applause. Themes responsibility bravery self‑sacrifice Mood reflective admiring Type narrative inspirational When to use this quote - family emergencies - home maintenance - personal injury - photography - community service Key Concepts quiet heroism everyday stoicism Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize unseen help? - What would happen if no one stepped up? A Different Perspective His lack of visibility may lead others to undervalue such contributions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Daughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) ## Related quotes > [“So she opened the jar—” “Because you should always trust bodiless voices in the woods,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-she-opened-the-jar-because-you-should-always-trust-bodiless-voices/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Dali blinked at me. "Would you mind making coffee while you're dancing? I smell it on the bottom shelf, either first or second jar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/dali-blinked-at-me-would-you-mind-making-coffee-while-you-re-dancing/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“They'd been playing house, but it wasn't a game either of them liked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-golding/they-d-been-playing-house-but-it-wasn-t-a-game-either-of-them-liked/) Melanie Golding > [I was famous in a way that was kind of terrifying. I had no protection. When reporters showed up at my house, there wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcia-clark/i-was-famous-in-a-way-that-was-kind-of-terrifying-i-had-no-protection/) [Marcia Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcia-clark/) > [I think my parents had in mind that I would settle down at quite a young age, but I decided that being a housewife…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-jackson/i-think-my-parents-had-in-mind-that-i-would-settle-down-at-quite-a/) [Alison Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-jackson/) > [I grew up in a kung fu house. It wasn't until I got older that I discovered that most families didn't talk about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamal-murray/i-grew-up-in-a-kung-fu-house-it-wasn-t-until-i-got-older-that-i/) [Jamal Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamal-murray/) > [The atmosphere in my house wasn't of the creative kind at all. No one in my family is remotely connected with films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajpal-yadav/the-atmosphere-in-my-house-wasn-t-of-the-creative-kind-at-all-no-one/) [Rajpal Yadav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajpal-yadav/) > [When I came in the game, it was just me making beats in Inglewood at YG's house; it wasn't nobody to help me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustard/when-i-came-in-the-game-it-was-just-me-making-beats-in-inglewood-at/) Mustard > [I didn't grow up watching football in my house as it wasn't on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-didn-t-grow-up-watching-football-in-my-house-as-it-wasn-t-on/) [Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/) > [As someone who grew up in a house where there wasn't a lot of talking, I'm used to just looking at the world. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mills/as-someone-who-grew-up-in-a-house-where-there-wasn-t-a-lot-of-talking/) [Mike Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mills/) > [Yes that's true but the house wasn't a home. Like what you..you know, what you go to a home to each night. The Summerdale…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wayne-gacy/yes-that-s-true-but-the-house-wasn-t-a-home-like-what-you-you-know/) [John Wayne Gacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wayne-gacy/) > [In our house, everyone's opinion is welcome. I grew up in a house where everything wasn't when it came to politics or religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-brooks/in-our-house-everyone-s-opinion-is-welcome-i-grew-up-in-a-house-where/) [Garth Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-brooks/) > [He was full of the restless, dissatisfied energy that always seemed to move into his heart after he visited home these days. It had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/he-was-full-of-the-restless-dissatisfied-energy-that-always-seemed-to/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“When we turned right on Thirty-fifth Street our suffix came along. By the time we rolled to the curb in front of Wolfe's house…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rex-stout/when-we-turned-right-on-thirty-fifth-street-our-suffix-came-along-by/) [Rex Stout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rex-stout/) > [I think my parents had in mind that I would settle down at quite a young age, but I decided that being a housewife…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-jackson/i-think-my-parents-had-in-mind-that-i-would-settle-down-at-quite-a-2/) [Alison Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-jackson/) ## More by Erma Bombeck > [Cats invented self-esteem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/cats-invented-self-esteem/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To my way of thinking, the American family started to decline when parents began to communicate with their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-my-way-of-thinking-the-american-family-started-to-decline-when/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The woman who says, 'My kids are all speaking to one another and they love us' is a psychopathic liar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-woman-who-says-my-kids-are-all-speaking-to-one-another-and-they/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The term 'working mother' is redundant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-term-working-mother-is-redundant/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [To say, "Well, I write when I really get into it" is a bunch of bull. Put the paper in the typewriter, stare at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/to-say-well-i-write-when-i-really-get-into-it-is-a-bunch-of-bull-put/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I used everything you gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-used-everything-you-gave-me/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Just think of all those women on the Titanic who said, 'No thank you' to desert that night. And for what?!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/just-think-of-all-those-women-on-the-titanic-who-said-no-thank-you-to/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [The mole rat is the only rodent born without a fur coat. With a good lawyer, someone would pay for that little oversight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/the-mole-rat-is-the-only-rodent-born-without-a-fur-coat-with-a-good/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [God created man, but I could do better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/god-created-man-but-i-could-do-better/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [If the nest is truly empty, who owns all this junk?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/if-the-nest-is-truly-empty-who-owns-all-this-junk/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Housework, if it is done properly, can cause brain damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/housework-if-it-is-done-properly-can-cause-brain-damage/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Making coffee has become the great compromise of the decade. It's the only thing "real" men do that doesn't seem to threaten their masculinity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/making-coffee-has-become-the-great-compromise-of-the-decade-it-s-the/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [I have a friend who lives by a three-word philosophy: Seize the Moment. Just possibly, she may be the wisest woman on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-have-a-friend-who-lives-by-a-three-word-philosophy-seize-the-moment/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/when-i-stand-before-god-at-the-end-of-my-life-i-would-hope-that-i/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [Before we sent kids to computer camps and told them they were having a good time, there was imagination among the human species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/before-we-sent-kids-to-computer-camps-and-told-them-they-were-having/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) [Explore all 372 Erma Bombeck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) ## More Basements quotes > [Ireland starts for me with the end of 'The Dead,' which my father read to me from his desk in his basement office in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jeremiah-sullivan/ireland-starts-for-me-with-the-end-of-the-dead-which-my-father-read/) [John Jeremiah Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jeremiah-sullivan/) > [If the watchdog doesn't bark, how do you know there's a burglar in the basement? And the press is supposed to be a watchdog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/if-the-watchdog-doesn-t-bark-how-do-you-know-there-s-a-burglar-in-the/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [Every time I get in an elevator, the operator says the same thing to me: 'Basement?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-dangerfield/every-time-i-get-in-an-elevator-the-operator-says-the-same-thing-to/) [Rodney Dangerfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-dangerfield/) > [White Zombie was a bunch of kids with the worst equipment playing in a basement. But that is what is so great about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-zombie/white-zombie-was-a-bunch-of-kids-with-the-worst-equipment-playing-in/) [Rob Zombie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-zombie/) > [I might be in the basement. I'll go upstairs and check.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-c-escher/i-might-be-in-the-basement-i-ll-go-upstairs-and-check/) [M. C. Escher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-c-escher/) > [The problem is that the internet IS some kid in a basement with an opinion. The fact that David Bowie and Elton John told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/page-hamilton/the-problem-is-that-the-internet-is-some-kid-in-a-basement-with-an/) [Page Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/page-hamilton/) > [I love getting into the basement of a courthouse, and all the dusty records - all that stuff makes me really happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-cameron/i-love-getting-into-the-basement-of-a-courthouse-and-all-the-dusty/) [Sharon Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-cameron/) > [My husband is a musician. He cooks and he's a chef but he also, he makes basement recordings. So many people in my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-spiotta/my-husband-is-a-musician-he-cooks-and-he-s-a-chef-but-he-also-he/) [Dana Spiotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-spiotta/) > [SM is an art. Doing it well requires more than a bag full of expensive whips and exotic electrical toys, a closet full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sm-is-an-art-doing-it-well-requires-more-than-a-bag-full-of-expensive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [All the green-screen stuff - all the special effects stuff - I shot right there in my house, in the basement in my theater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vickie-winans/all-the-green-screen-stuff-all-the-special-effects-stuff-i-shot-right/) Vickie Winans > [We made basement practice songs.To have them presented in such a huge fashion today - like at Primavera, where it's thousands of people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-pajo/we-made-basement-practice-songs-to-have-them-presented-in-such-a-huge/) [David Pajo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-pajo/) > [After my grandfather died I went down to the basement of my family house where my family kept books, anthologies and things and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hirsch/after-my-grandfather-died-i-went-down-to-the-basement-of-my-family/) [Edward Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hirsch/) > [The massive corruption common in so many developing countries would be quite impossible if Western countries did not provide convenient opportunities to ship ill-gotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pogge/the-massive-corruption-common-in-so-many-developing-countries-would/) [Thomas Pogge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-pogge/) > [Off-the-rack solutions, like bargain basement dresses, never fit anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-giroud/off-the-rack-solutions-like-bargain-basement-dresses-never-fit-anymore/) [Francoise Giroud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-giroud/) > [No matter what else you came up against, if you could smile and laugh while a monkey did you with chestnuts in a dank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/no-matter-what-else-you-came-up-against-if-you-could-smile-and-laugh/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) Browse all 243 Basements quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He opened the jar of pickles when no one else could. 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