--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A shambling, hairy, brutish, but probably…" description: "\"“A shambling, hairy, brutish, but probably very cunning creature with a big brain behind; so someone, I think it was Sir Harry Johnston, has described ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/h-g-wells-2-1299_human-dignity_a-shambling-hairy-brutish-but-probably-v_1057456.jpg" --- # A shambling, hairy, brutish, but probably very cunning… ![“A shambling, hairy, brutish, but probably very cunning creature with a big brain behind; so someone, I think it was Sir Harry Johnston, has described Homo Neanderthalensis. To this day we must still use similar terms to describe the soul of the politician. The statesman has still to oust the…” quote by H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/h-g-wells-2-1299_human-dignity_a-shambling-hairy-brutish-but-probably-v_1057456.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/h-g-wells-2-1299_human-dignity_a-shambling-hairy-brutish-but-probably-v_1057456.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0e/h-g-wells-2-1299_human-dignity_a-shambling-hairy-brutish-but-probably-v_1057456.jpg) > ““A shambling, hairy, brutish, but probably very cunning creature with a big brain behind; so someone, I think it was Sir Harry Johnston, has described Homo Neanderthalensis. To this day we must still use similar terms to describe the soul of the politician. The statesman has still to oust the politician from his lairs and weapon heaps. History has still to become a record of human dignity. Finance”” [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compares Neanderthals to politicians, urging dignity and reform in governance. **In simple terms:** Criticizes political behavior using historical analogy. Key Takeaway Demand ethical leadership. Themes politics history ethics Mood critical serious Type political analytical When to use this quote - government reform - historical analysis - political critique Key Concepts leadership human dignity Questions to Reflect On - What qualities define a dignified leader? - How can citizens promote ethical politics? 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Defying expectations that big thoughts required a big brain, Einstein’s brain actually weighed 10 percent less than the average brain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolph-e-tanzi/einstein-s-brain-defying-expectations-that-big-thoughts-required-a/) [Rudolph E. Tanzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudolph-e-tanzi/) ## More by H.G. Wells > [“I was grotesque to the theatrical pitch, a stage miser, but I was certainly not a physical impossibility”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/i-was-grotesque-to-the-theatrical-pitch-a-stage-miser-but-i-was/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“Eight-and-twenty years,' said I, 'I have lived, and never a ghost have I seen as yet.' The old woman sat staring hard into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells-2/eight-and-twenty-years-said-i-i-have-lived-and-never-a-ghost-have-i/) [H.G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells-2/) > [“That is the germ of my great discovery. 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