Cats Quote by Henry N. Beard
““If you can try to nap where someone's sitting, Although there is another empty chair, Then rub against his ankle without quitting Until he rises from your favorite lair; If you can whine and whimper by a portal Until the bolted door is opened wide, Then howl as if you've got a wound that's mortal Until he comes and lets you back inside; If you can give a guest a nasty spiking, But purr when you are petted by a thief; If you can find the food not to your liking Because they put some cheese in with the beef; If you can leave no proffered hand unbitten, And pay no heed to any rule or ban, then all will say you are a Cat, my kitten. And -- which is more -- you'll make a fool of Man!””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Cat's Riddle, 1970s (anonymous collection)
The poem humorously describes a cat’s mischievous behavior, suggesting that by breaking rules and being sly, one embodies feline traits and outsmarts humans.
In simple terms: Cats are mischievous, breaking rules to outwit people.
Key Takeaway
Embrace playful rebellion to challenge expectations.
Themes
playfulness
rebellion
identity
human-animal dynamics
Mood
mischievous
ironic
lighthearted
Type
poetic
humorous
When to use this quote
- pet ownership
- office environments
- creative brainstorming
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
behavioral psychology
symbolism
anthropomorphism
Questions to Reflect On
- What rules would you break to be more creative?
- How does rule‑breaking reveal true character?
A Different Perspective
Humans may view such behavior as destructive rather than clever.
![“Let us roam then, you and I, When the evening is splayed out across the sky [...] Paths that follow like a nagging accusation Of a minor violation To lead you to the ultimate reproof ... Oh, do not say, 'Bad kitty!' Let us go and prowl the city. In the rooms the cats run to and fro Auditioning for…” quote by Henry N. Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ead/henry-n-beard-30905_broadway-show_let-us-roam-then-you-and-i-when-the-even_215931.jpg)
