--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When an intelligent man reaches the point…" description: "\"When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting self-explanation and offers surrendering the key to his heart, he is assuredly riding a drunken h..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png" --- # When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting… ![“When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting self-explanation and offers surrendering the key to his heart, he is assuredly riding a drunken horse.” quote by Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png) > “When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting self-explanation and offers surrendering the key to his heart, he is assuredly riding a drunken horse.” [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Inviting deep emotional honesty can feel reckless, like riding an uncontrolled horse. **In simple terms:** Emotional vulnerability is risky. Key Takeaway Approach intimacy with caution. Themes love vulnerability risk Mood reflective cautionary Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - relationships - conflict resolution - self‑reflection Key Concepts psychology romantic idealism Questions to Reflect On - What does “drunken horse” symbolize for you? - How can you balance openness with self‑protection? A Different Perspective Romanticizing risk may ignore practical consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Horse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Riding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riding/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [Fools gain greater advantages through their weakness than intelligent men through their strength. We watch a great man struggling against fate and we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/fools-gain-greater-advantages-through-their-weakness-than-intelligent/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Life in clubs is no paltry sign of the times we live in. Here gentlemen gamble with others whom they would not dream of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/life-in-clubs-is-no-paltry-sign-of-the-times-we-live-in-here/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Detroit is drunken idiots. It was no surprise to me. I performed with Kenny Rogers for one year as his opening act, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gallagher/detroit-is-drunken-idiots-it-was-no-surprise-to-me-i-performed-with/) [Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gallagher/) > [Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/stay-yourselves-and-wonder-cry-ye-out-and-cry-they-are-drunken-but/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Jessica: “You great drunken jackass!” Dain: “I did not give you leave to use my Christian name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-chase/jessica-you-great-drunken-jackass-dain-i-did-not-give-you-leave-to/) [Loretta Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-chase/) > [Drunken behavior will not be tolerated, except by those who are being hilarious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/drunken-behavior-will-not-be-tolerated-except-by-those-who-are-being/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [Back then, before it became clear that democracy was best served by a drunken electorate, the bars in New York City were required to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-block/back-then-before-it-became-clear-that-democracy-was-best-served-by-a/) [Lawrence Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-block/) > [Drunken with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you will. But be drunken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/drunken-with-what-with-wine-with-poetry-or-with-virtue-as-you-will/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [“Drunks they may be, but a drunken man knows not fear. Fools, aye, but a fool can kill a king. Rats, that too, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/drunks-they-may-be-but-a-drunken-man-knows-not-fear-fools-aye-but-a/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Playing Willie Loomis was really fun for me because it was something nice and different to embody. It was neat playing this drunken servant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-earle-haley/playing-willie-loomis-was-really-fun-for-me-because-it-was-something/) [Jackie Earle Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-earle-haley/) > [“Then it hits me. I’m actually kneeling before a toilet. The throne, as other drunks call it. How many drunken nights and slungover mornings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-karr/then-it-hits-me-i-m-actually-kneeling-before-a-toilet-the-throne-as/) [Mary Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-karr/) > [“Piano Man put up a fight but his resistance was futile. Hell hath no fury like a drunken girl at her bachelorette party in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lesage/piano-man-put-up-a-fight-but-his-resistance-was-futile-hell-hath-no/) [Vicki Lesage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lesage/) > [The drunken politician leaps upon the street where mothers weep, and the saviors who are fast asleep, they wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/the-drunken-politician-leaps-upon-the-street-where-mothers-weep-and/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Why what a fool was I to this drunken monster for a God. - Caliban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/why-what-a-fool-was-i-to-this-drunken-monster-for-a-god-caliban/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Joe!” he groaned, attempting to speak clearly. “Joe! Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) ## More by Honore de Balzac > [“Oh, my friend, when you love, love a woman whom you are sure that you can love always. Never forsake a woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/oh-my-friend-when-you-love-love-a-woman-whom-you-are-sure-that-you/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“You have broken the ice, though you have not even scratched its glossy surface: you have placed your hand upon the croup of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/you-have-broken-the-ice-though-you-have-not-even-scratched-its-glossy/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [In a world of hunchbacks, a fine figure becomes a monstrosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/in-a-world-of-hunchbacks-a-fine-figure-becomes-a-monstrosity/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [It is quite right what they say: the three most beautiful sights in the world are a ship in full sail, a galloping horse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/it-is-quite-right-what-they-say-the-three-most-beautiful-sights-in/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [My writing table has seen all my wretchedness, knows all my plans, has overheard all my thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/my-writing-table-has-seen-all-my-wretchedness-knows-all-my-plans-has/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Foppery, being the chronic condition of women, is not so much noticed as it is when it breaks out on the person of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/foppery-being-the-chronic-condition-of-women-is-not-so-much-noticed/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A married woman is a slave you must know how to seat upon a throne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/a-married-woman-is-a-slave-you-must-know-how-to-seat-upon-a-throne/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Rich men are resolved to be astonished at nothing. When they see a masterpiece, they must needs at one glance recognize some flaw to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/rich-men-are-resolved-to-be-astonished-at-nothing-when-they-see-a/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [I am a galley slave to pen and ink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/i-am-a-galley-slave-to-pen-and-ink/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [One can imagine the look the two lovers exchanged; it was like a flame, for virtuous lovers have not a shred of hypocrisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/one-can-imagine-the-look-the-two-lovers-exchanged-it-was-like-a-flame/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [White and shining virgin of all human virtues, ark of the covenant between earth and heaven, tender and strong companion partaking of the lion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/white-and-shining-virgin-of-all-human-virtues-ark-of-the-covenant/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All men can bear a familiar, definite misfortune better than the cruel alternations of a fate which, from one moment to another, brings excessive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-men-can-bear-a-familiar-definite-misfortune-better-than-the-cruel/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [The mind, too, has its regimen. It needs gymnastics, just like the body does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/the-mind-too-has-its-regimen-it-needs-gymnastics-just-like-the-body/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [Hatred like love feeds on the merest trifles. Everything adds to it. Just as the being we love can do no wrong, so the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/hatred-like-love-feeds-on-the-merest-trifles-everything-adds-to-it/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [All human power is a compound of time and patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/all-human-power-is-a-compound-of-time-and-patience/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) [Explore all 793 Honore de Balzac quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## More Drunken quotes > [“Joe!” he groaned, attempting to speak clearly. “Joe! Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [Why what a fool was I to this drunken monster for a God. - Caliban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/why-what-a-fool-was-i-to-this-drunken-monster-for-a-god-caliban/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The drunken politician leaps upon the street where mothers weep, and the saviors who are fast asleep, they wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/the-drunken-politician-leaps-upon-the-street-where-mothers-weep-and/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [“Piano Man put up a fight but his resistance was futile. Hell hath no fury like a drunken girl at her bachelorette party in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lesage/piano-man-put-up-a-fight-but-his-resistance-was-futile-hell-hath-no/) [Vicki Lesage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lesage/) > [“Then it hits me. I’m actually kneeling before a toilet. The throne, as other drunks call it. How many drunken nights and slungover mornings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-karr/then-it-hits-me-i-m-actually-kneeling-before-a-toilet-the-throne-as/) [Mary Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-karr/) > [Playing Willie Loomis was really fun for me because it was something nice and different to embody. It was neat playing this drunken servant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-earle-haley/playing-willie-loomis-was-really-fun-for-me-because-it-was-something/) [Jackie Earle Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-earle-haley/) > [“Drunks they may be, but a drunken man knows not fear. Fools, aye, but a fool can kill a king. Rats, that too, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/drunks-they-may-be-but-a-drunken-man-knows-not-fear-fools-aye-but-a/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Drunken with what? With wine, with poetry, or with virtue, as you will. But be drunken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/drunken-with-what-with-wine-with-poetry-or-with-virtue-as-you-will/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [Back then, before it became clear that democracy was best served by a drunken electorate, the bars in New York City were required to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-block/back-then-before-it-became-clear-that-democracy-was-best-served-by-a/) [Lawrence Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-block/) > [Drunken behavior will not be tolerated, except by those who are being hilarious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/drunken-behavior-will-not-be-tolerated-except-by-those-who-are-being/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [Jessica: “You great drunken jackass!” Dain: “I did not give you leave to use my Christian name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-chase/jessica-you-great-drunken-jackass-dain-i-did-not-give-you-leave-to/) [Loretta Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-chase/) > [Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/stay-yourselves-and-wonder-cry-ye-out-and-cry-they-are-drunken-but/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Detroit is drunken idiots. It was no surprise to me. I performed with Kenny Rogers for one year as his opening act, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gallagher/detroit-is-drunken-idiots-it-was-no-surprise-to-me-i-performed-with/) [Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gallagher/) > [Keep your drunken electrons dancing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/keep-your-drunken-electrons-dancing/) [Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/) > [Are we taking the drunken drivers off the road only to turn them into drunken pedestrians?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawren-harris/are-we-taking-the-drunken-drivers-off-the-road-only-to-turn-them-into/) [Lawren Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawren-harris/) Browse all 126 Drunken quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting self-explanation and offers surrendering the key to his heart, he is assuredly riding a drunken horse.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Honore de Balzac" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-point-of-inviting-self/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Drunken" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-point-of-inviting-self/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/303/honor-de-balzac-197_drunken_when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-poin_2445512.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When an intelligent man reaches the point of inviting self-explanation and offers surrendering the key to…” — Honore de Balzac", "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": "Honore de Balzac", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When an intelligent man reaches the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-point-of-inviting-self/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/when-an-intelligent-man-reaches-the-point-of-inviting-self/#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 } } ] } ```