--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I remember a time when a cabbage could…" description: "\"I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself by being a cabbage. Nowadays it’s no good being a cabbage – unless you have an agent and pay him a c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/jean-giraudoux-7998_agents_i-remember-a-time-when-a-cabbage-could-s_2587632.jpg" --- # I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself by… ![“I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself by being a cabbage. Nowadays it’s no good being a cabbage – unless you have an agent and pay him a commission. Nothing is free anymore to sell itself or give itself away. These days, Countess, every cabbage has its pimp.” quote by Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/jean-giraudoux-7998_agents_i-remember-a-time-when-a-cabbage-could-s_2587632.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/jean-giraudoux-7998_agents_i-remember-a-time-when-a-cabbage-could-s_2587632.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd3/jean-giraudoux-7998_agents_i-remember-a-time-when-a-cabbage-could-s_2587632.jpg) > “I remember a time when a cabbage could sell itself by being a cabbage. Nowadays it’s no good being a cabbage – unless you have an agent and pay him a commission. Nothing is free anymore to sell itself or give itself away. These days, Countess, every cabbage has its pimp.” [Jean Giraudoux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-giraudoux/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Commercialism now requires intermediaries; authenticity is commodified and sold. **In simple terms:** Cabbage must be marketed, not just be. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden costs in seemingly free offers. Themes commercialism authenticity intermediaries exploitation Mood cynical critical Type cautionary observational When to use this quote - marketing - product sales - personal branding - consumer decisions Key Concepts capitalism value perception agency Questions to Reflect On - What seems free to you actually costs? - How do you assess hidden commissions? A Different Perspective Even without a broker, hidden fees may still exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I told you to sell it, not give it away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-robbins/i-told-you-to-sell-it-not-give-it-away/) [Jerome Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-robbins/) > [The wildest dreams of wild men, even, are not the less true, though they may not recommend themselves to the sense which is most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-wildest-dreams-of-wild-men-even-are-not-the-less-true-though-they/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [It is clear that men accept an immediate pain rather than an immediate pleasure, but only because they expect a greater pleasure in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/it-is-clear-that-men-accept-an-immediate-pain-rather-than-an/) [W. 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