---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I rejoice that horses and steers have to…"
description: "\"I rejoice that horses and steers have to be broken before they can be made the slaves of men, and that men themselves have some wild oats still left to..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/henry-david-thoreau-20_broken_i-rejoice-that-horses-and-steers-have-to_1658245.jpg"
---

#  I rejoice that horses and steers have to be broken before…

![“I rejoice that horses and steers have to be broken before they can be made the slaves of men, and that men themselves have some wild oats still left to sow before they become submissive members of society. Undoubtedly, all men are not equally fit subjects for civilization; and because the…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/henry-david-thoreau-20_broken_i-rejoice-that-horses-and-steers-have-to_1658245.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/henry-david-thoreau-20_broken_i-rejoice-that-horses-and-steers-have-to_1658245.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/681/henry-david-thoreau-20_broken_i-rejoice-that-horses-and-steers-have-to_1658245.jpg)

> “I rejoice that horses and steers have to be broken before they can be made the slaves of men, and that men themselves have some wild oats still left to sow before they become submissive members of society. Undoubtedly, all men are not equally fit subjects for civilization; and because the majority, like dogs and sheep, are tame by inherited disposition, this is no reason why the others should have their natures broken that they may be reduced to the same level.”

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Thoreau argues that both animals and humans are often forced into subservience, but some retain a wildness that resists conformity.

**In simple terms:** People are often tamed, yet some keep their wild nature.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and respect inherent wildness.

Themes

civilization conformity individuality nature

Mood

reflective critical

Type

philosophical social commentary

When to use this quote

- education reform
- animal welfare
- personal freedom
- social policy

Key Concepts

social hierarchy innate nature civilizing process

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we balance societal order with individual wildness?
- When is taming beneficial versus oppressive?

A Different Perspective

Not all individuals thrive under forced conformity; some may need guidance rather than domination.

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[Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Slave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slave/) [Slaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaves/)

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