--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is with rivers as it is with people…" description: "\"It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.\" — Henry Van Dyke" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png" --- # It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are… ![“It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.” quote by Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png) > “It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.” [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness often comes with difficulty; exceptional individuals may be challenging to coexist with, much like powerful rivers that are not always gentle. **In simple terms:** Greatness can be hard to live with. Key Takeaway Powerful people may be difficult companions. Themes leadership human nature conflict expectations complexity Mood reflective thoughtful Type aphor observation When to use this quote - working with a visionary leader - living with a talented but temperamental artist - managing a high‑performing team - collaborating with a brilliant but demanding mentor Key Concepts greatness agreeableness coexistence river metaphor Practical Applications - leadership development - team‑building workshops Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance respect for talent with personal compatibility? - When should you prioritize harmony over brilliance? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rivers/) ## Related quotes > [Boundaries don't protect rivers, people do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/boundaries-don-t-protect-rivers-people-do/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Never give up on your effort to change the world. The people who made the greatest impacts in history were hardly recognised during their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/never-give-up-on-your-effort-to-change-the-world-the-people-who-made/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [People are my greatest resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/people-are-my-greatest-resource/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [I can't help but tell people of the greatest story ever told - God's love and our eternal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-green/i-can-t-help-but-tell-people-of-the-greatest-story-ever-told-god-s/) [David Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-green/) > [The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-greatest-leader-is-not-necessarily-the-one-who-does-the-greatest/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The good of the people is the greatest law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/the-good-of-the-people-is-the-greatest-law/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [West Indian people had made their greatest single cultural investment in cricket.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-beckles/west-indian-people-had-made-their-greatest-single-cultural-investment/) [Hilary Beckles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-beckles/) > [And the American people are the greatest people in the world. What makes America the greatest nation in the world is the heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/and-the-american-people-are-the-greatest-people-in-the-world-what/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [The best art is people. Because the greatest designer is Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meicee/the-best-art-is-people-because-the-greatest-designer-is-jesus/) Meicee > [The ability to understand people is one of the greatest assets anyone can ever have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-ability-to-understand-people-is-one-of-the-greatest-assets-anyone/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The words that come direct from the people are the greatest.If you substitute one out of your own vocabulary, it disappears before your eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothea-lange/the-words-that-come-direct-from-the-people-are-the-greatest-if-you/) [Dorothea Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothea-lange/) > [If you think about the people who have had the greatest positive effect on your life the ones who truly made a difference you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/if-you-think-about-the-people-who-have-had-the-greatest-positive/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [I don't praise my people. I am their greatest critic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinua-achebe/i-don-t-praise-my-people-i-am-their-greatest-critic/) [Chinua Achebe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinua-achebe/) > [Difficult people are the greatest teachers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/difficult-people-are-the-greatest-teachers/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [I get paid to beat people up, which is the greatest job in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-steiner/i-get-paid-to-beat-people-up-which-is-the-greatest-job-in-the-world/) [Scott Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-steiner/) ## More by Henry Van Dyke > [I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack;The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/i-know-that-europe-s-wonderful-yet-something-seems-to-lack-the-past/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [The Bible does not profess to make men omniscient, but simply to tell them enough to make them happy and good, if they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/the-bible-does-not-profess-to-make-men-omniscient-but-simply-to-tell/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [So in the heart, When, fading slowly down the past, Fond memories depart, And each that leaves it seems the last; Long after all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/so-in-the-heart-when-fading-slowly-down-the-past-fond-memories-depart/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A little while the rose, And after that the thorn; An hour of dewy morn, And then the glamour goes. Ah, love in beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-little-while-the-rose-and-after-that-the-thorn-an-hour-of-dewy-morn/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A peace that depends on fear is nothing but a suppressed war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-peace-that-depends-on-fear-is-nothing-but-a-suppressed-war/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Love is not about getting - but giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/love-is-not-about-getting-but-giving/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Favorite People, Favorite Places, Favorite Memories of the past ... These are the joys of a lifetime Those are the things that last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/favorite-people-favorite-places-favorite-memories-of-the-past-these/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is better to desire the things we have than to have the things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-desire-the-things-we-have-than-to-have-the-things-we/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Jazz: Music invented for the torture of imbeciles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/jazz-music-invented-for-the-torture-of-imbeciles/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Lord, when my spirit shall return to thee, At the foot of a friendly tree let my body be buried, That this dust may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/lord-when-my-spirit-shall-return-to-thee-at-the-foot-of-a-friendly/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/gratitude-is-the-inward-feeling-of-kindness-received-thankfulness-is/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of autumn stood: I saw their gold and scarlet glowing From every hillside, every wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/in-warlike-pomp-with-banners-flowing-the-regiments-of-autumn-stood-i/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/there-is-a-better-thing-than-the-observance-of-christmas-day-and-that/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Look around for a place to sow a few seeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/look-around-for-a-place-to-sow-a-few-seeds/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) [Explore all 165 Henry Van Dyke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## More Agreeable quotes > [I roll out of my couch every morning with the more agreeable expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/i-roll-out-of-my-couch-every-morning-with-the-more-agreeable/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Remember that when you meet your antagonist, to do everything in a mild agreeable manner. Let your courage be keen, but, at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/remember-that-when-you-meet-your-antagonist-to-do-everything-in-a/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [“Expect a most agreeable letter, for not being overburdened with subject (having nothing at all to say), there shall be no check to my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/expect-a-most-agreeable-letter-for-not-being-overburdened-with/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [“Above all one should accept everything, in general and individually, in oneself or in others, agreeable or disagreeable, with a prompt and confident spirit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-the-great/above-all-one-should-accept-everything-in-general-and-individually-in/) Albert the Great > [“We laughed at the same things, and we liked the same things. What more is needed for agreeable society?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-santayana/we-laughed-at-the-same-things-and-we-liked-the-same-things-what-more/) [George Santayana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-santayana/) > [I'm small, but I'm neither compliant nor agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-m-small-but-i-m-neither-compliant-nor-agreeable/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [Surrounded by all the members of my dear family, enjoying the affection of numerous friends, who have never abandoned me, and possessing a sufficient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-audubon/surrounded-by-all-the-members-of-my-dear-family-enjoying-the/) [John James Audubon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-audubon/) > [Choose the GOOD WILL that is most useful, and habit will make it the most agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marv-stark/choose-the-good-will-that-is-most-useful-and-habit-will-make-it-the/) [Marv Stark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marv-stark/) > [An agreeable figure and winning manner, which inspire affection without love, are always new. Beauty loses its relish, the graces never, after the longest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-home-lord-kames/an-agreeable-figure-and-winning-manner-which-inspire-affection/) [Henry Home, Lord Kames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-home-lord-kames/) > [I always follow the rules. No fake co-productions. I know how to make content agreeable and acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-zheng-wu/i-always-follow-the-rules-no-fake-co-productions-i-know-how-to-make/) [Bruno Zheng Wu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-zheng-wu/) > [I like to make people happy, and with fairy tales, I can say anything I want to, but in an agreeable way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-ocelot/i-like-to-make-people-happy-and-with-fairy-tales-i-can-say-anything-i/) [Michel Ocelot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-ocelot/) > [Dandies, when first-rate, are generally very agreeable men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/dandies-when-first-rate-are-generally-very-agreeable-men/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [This goin' ware glory waits ye haint one agreeable feetur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/this-goin-ware-glory-waits-ye-haint-one-agreeable-feetur/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/one-thing-which-makes-us-find-so-few-people-who-appear-reasonable-and/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Kindness, so far as we can return it, is agreeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/kindness-so-far-as-we-can-return-it-is-agreeable/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) Browse all 151 Agreeable quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henry Van Dyke" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Agreeable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/henry-van-dyke-2453_agreeable_it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-t_28306.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live…” — Henry Van Dyke", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henry Van Dyke", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is with rivers as it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```