--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF…" description: "\"“FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF THE RESPONSE IS IRRITATION. THIS IS ONE OF THE BUILT IN SAFEGUARDS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE THE SURVIVAL O..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/438/jenny-holzer-3328_babies_few-can-ignore-a-baby-s-cries-even-if-th_1306282.png" --- # FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF THE RESPONSE IS… ![“FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF THE RESPONSE IS IRRITATION. THIS IS ONE OF THE BUILT IN SAFEGUARDS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE THE SURVIVAL OF THE RACE.” quote by Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/438/jenny-holzer-3328_babies_few-can-ignore-a-baby-s-cries-even-if-th_1306282.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/438/jenny-holzer-3328_babies_few-can-ignore-a-baby-s-cries-even-if-th_1306282.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/438/jenny-holzer-3328_babies_few-can-ignore-a-baby-s-cries-even-if-th_1306282.png) > ““FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF THE RESPONSE IS IRRITATION. THIS IS ONE OF THE BUILT IN SAFEGUARDS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GUARANTEE THE SURVIVAL OF THE RACE.”” [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human instinct to respond to infant cries is a built‑in survival safeguard. **In simple terms:** Crying triggers protective response. Key Takeaway Recognize innate empathy. Themes empathy survival human instinct Mood urgent reflective Type artistic philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - public health Key Concepts evolutionary psychology social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - Why do we sometimes ignore cries? - How does this safeguard affect societal policies? A Different Perspective May be ignored in modern societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Babies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/babies/) [Jenny-holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jenny-holzer/) ## Related quotes > [“In the west the culture is to try and ignore a baby, even when she is crying pitifully.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/in-the-west-the-culture-is-to-try-and-ignore-a-baby-even-when-she-is/) [Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/) > [“MORE THAN ONCE I'VE AWAKENED WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN MY CHEEKS. I HAVE HAD TO THINK WHETHER I WAS CRYING OR WHETHER IT IS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/more-than-once-i-ve-awakened-with-tears-running-down-my-cheeks-i-have/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“I SAW THEIR STUNNING BODIES GO SLACK AND GET HAIR IN THE WRONG PLACES AND I VOWED I WOULD NOT PERMIT THAT TO HAPPEN…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-saw-their-stunning-bodies-go-slack-and-get-hair-in-the-wrong-places/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“WHEN YOU'RE TRYING SOMETHING NEW, YOU'RE TORN BETWEEN ANTICIPATING A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE AND THINKING YOU'RE A FOOL TO IGNORE WHAT YOU KNOW YOU LIKE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/when-you-re-trying-something-new-you-re-torn-between-anticipating-a/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“Destroy superabundance. 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IT'S NOT COMFORTABLE, IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU, AND IT DOESN'T PROTECT YOU FROM DANGER.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/there-s-no-reason-to-sleep-curled-up-and-bent-it-s-not-comfortable-it/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“I WALK IN / I SEE YOU / I WATCH YOU / I SCAN YOU / I WAIT FOR YOU / I TICKLE YOU…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-walk-in-i-see-you-i-watch-you-i-scan-you-i-wait-for-you-i-tickle/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“IT CAN BE HELPFUL TO THINK OF THEM EATING YOUR FAVORITE FOODS AND OCCASIONALLY THROWING UP AND GETTING BITS STUCK IN THEIR NOSES.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-can-be-helpful-to-think-of-them-eating-your-favorite-foods-and/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“THE FOND OLD COUPLE WAS DISAPPEARING TOGETHER THROUGH SUCCESSIVE AMPUTATIONS.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/the-fond-old-couple-was-disappearing-together-through-successive/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“OBVIOUSLY YOU STRIKE OUT AGAINST PEOPLE WITHIN RANGE. IT'S CATHARTIC TO AFFECT SOMEONE WHEN YOU'RE ANGRY. ALTERNATIVELY, CHOOSE ENEMIES IMPOSSIBLY FAR AWAY SO YOU…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/obviously-you-strike-out-against-people-within-range-it-s-cathartic/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“IT'S NICE WHEN YOU DECIDE TO LIKE SOMEONE AND, WITHOUT DECLARING YOURSELF, DO WHAT'S POSSIBLE TO FURTHER HIS HAPPINESS. THIS CAN TAKE THE FORM…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-s-nice-when-you-decide-to-like-someone-and-without-declaring/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“IT'S NO FUN WATCHING PEOPLE WOUND THEMSELVES SO THAT THEY CAN HOLE UP, NURSE THEMSELVES BACK TO HEALTH, AND REPEAT THE CYCLE. THEY DON'T…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-s-no-fun-watching-people-wound-themselves-so-that-they-can-hole-up/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“Food won't go down when you know your mother didn't want you, never liked to feed you, always hated you in her rooms. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/food-won-t-go-down-when-you-know-your-mother-didn-t-want-you-never/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY FEELING WHEN PART OF YOUR BODY ARE TOUCHED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I'M THINKING OF THE SENSATIONS FROM SEX AND SURGERY.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-s-an-extraordinary-feeling-when-part-of-your-body-are-touched-for/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) ## More by Jenny Holzer > [How do you resign yourself to something that will never be? You stop wanting just that thing. You go numb. Or you kill the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/how-do-you-resign-yourself-to-something-that-will-never-be-you-stop/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“Alienation produces eccentrics or revolutionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/alienation-produces-eccentrics-or-revolutionary/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“MORE THAN ONCE I'VE AWAKENED WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN MY CHEEKS. 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You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/food-won-t-go-down-when-you-know-your-mother-didn-t-want-you-never/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [SPIT ALL OVER SOMEONE WITH A MOUTHFUL OF MILK IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR PERSONALITY FAST.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/spit-all-over-someone-with-a-mouthful-of-milk-if-you-want-to-find-out/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [Faithfulness is a social not a biological law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/faithfulness-is-a-social-not-a-biological-law/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [Use what is dominant in a culture to change it quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/use-what-is-dominant-in-a-culture-to-change-it-quickly/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [I seldom have my stuff up unless I'm testing it. If I'm worrying about a painting, I put it up and see if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-seldom-have-my-stuff-up-unless-i-m-testing-it-if-i-m-worrying-about/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND IT DOES ME NO GOOD AT ALL”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-know-who-you-are-and-it-does-me-no-good-at-all/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [It can be kind of gruesome at times, making things alone. I don't want to be too dramatic, but it's hard. It's necessary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-can-be-kind-of-gruesome-at-times-making-things-alone-i-don-t-want/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [“IT'S NO FUN WATCHING PEOPLE WOUND THEMSELVES SO THAT THEY CAN HOLE UP, NURSE THEMSELVES BACK TO HEALTH, AND REPEAT THE CYCLE. THEY DON'T…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/it-s-no-fun-watching-people-wound-themselves-so-that-they-can-hole-up/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) > [I wasn't sure I was an artist, so I thought maybe I just was throwing ideas out for people to consider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-holzer/i-wasn-t-sure-i-was-an-artist-so-i-thought-maybe-i-just-was-throwing/) [Jenny Holzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) [Explore all 133 Jenny Holzer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-holzer/) ## More Babies quotes > [When I'm on Twitter, we just talk to people. I call all my Twitter followers my 'Twitter babies.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rozonda-thomas/when-i-m-on-twitter-we-just-talk-to-people-i-call-all-my-twitter/) [Rozonda Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rozonda-thomas/) > [If all fooles had babies, wee should want fuell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/if-all-fooles-had-babies-wee-should-want-fuell/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) > [Yes, I'm a nice man and I enjoy babies. I'm a sensitive guy. I held a baby the other day and it was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-shandling/yes-i-m-a-nice-man-and-i-enjoy-babies-i-m-a-sensitive-guy-i-held-a/) [Garry Shandling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-shandling/) > [It was an odd coincidence that my career took off the same decade as having babies. I often wished it had been different, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-kaczmarek/it-was-an-odd-coincidence-that-my-career-took-off-the-same-decade-as/) [Jane Kaczmarek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-kaczmarek/) > [My videos, the ones I produced and co-directed and came up with a treatment from scratch - those are my babies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/my-videos-the-ones-i-produced-and-co-directed-and-came-up-with-a/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [“you like babies, don't you? he asked... I have a marginally higher opinion of them than Herod, she said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-mcgown/you-like-babies-don-t-you-he-asked-i-have-a-marginally-higher-opinion/) Jill McGown > [God looks out for fools and babies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meshell-ndegeocello/god-looks-out-for-fools-and-babies/) [Meshell Ndegeocello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meshell-ndegeocello/) > [“Babies who do not sleep ‘through the night’ alone in a cot, as soon as possible after birth, are seen as a ‘problem’.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-palmer/babies-who-do-not-sleep-through-the-night-alone-in-a-cot-as-soon-as/) [Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-palmer/) > [Babies don't need a vacation, but I still see them at the beach... it pisses me off! I'll go over to a little baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/babies-don-t-need-a-vacation-but-i-still-see-them-at-the-beach-it/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [“...For having a baby's sweet face so close to your own, for so long a time as it takes to nurse 'em, is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-eisdorfer/for-having-a-baby-s-sweet-face-so-close-to-your-own-for-so-long-a/) [Erica Eisdorfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-eisdorfer/) > [Babies like fat. Like to bury they face up in you armpit and go to sleep. They like big fat legs too. 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I want to keep my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/babies-are-great-but-i-am-not-ready-to-have-one-maybe-ten-years-from/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) [Browse all 814 Babies quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/babies/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“FEW CAN IGNORE A BABY'S CRIES, EVEN IF THE RESPONSE IS IRRITATION. 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