Animal instinct Quote by Jerome K. Jerome
““Now I happen to possess the bump of locality. It is not a virtue; I make no boast of it. It is merely an animal instinct that I cannot help. That things occasionally get in my way—mountains, precipices, rivers, and such like obstructions—is no fault of mine. My instinct is correct enough; it is the earth that is wrong. I led them by the middle road. That the middle road had not character enough to continue for any quarter of a mile in the same direction; that after three miles up and down hill it ended abruptly in a wasps’ nest, was not a thing that should have been laid to my door. If the middle road had gone in the direction it ought to have done, it would have taken us to where we wanted to go, of that I am convinced.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome, 1889
The narrator blames external obstacles for his failures, claiming his instinct is right and the world is at fault.
In simple terms: He blames the world for his setbacks.
Key Takeaway
Accept responsibility for your path.
Themes
responsibility
self‑awareness
obstacle perception
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- travel planning
- project management
- personal goal setting
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
external locus of control
Questions to Reflect On
- What obstacles are truly beyond your control?
- How can you adjust your approach instead of blaming?
A Different Perspective
Blaming external factors can prevent learning from mistakes.
![“They [dogs] never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” quote by Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c0/jerome-k-jerome-1155_about-yourself_they-dogs-never-talk-about-themselves-bu_76454.jpg)
