--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And it seems I ought to scatter too…" description: "\"“And it seems I ought to scatter too. Perhaps at once. It's always better to turn your back on the gale than press your face against it.”\" — Jim Crace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/jim-crace-28250_gale_and-it-seems-i-ought-to-scatter-too-perh_618461.png" --- # And it seems I ought to scatter too. Perhaps at once. It's… ![“And it seems I ought to scatter too. Perhaps at once. It's always better to turn your back on the gale than press your face against it.” quote by Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/jim-crace-28250_gale_and-it-seems-i-ought-to-scatter-too-perh_618461.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/jim-crace-28250_gale_and-it-seems-i-ought-to-scatter-too-perh_618461.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d58/jim-crace-28250_gale_and-it-seems-i-ought-to-scatter-too-perh_618461.png) > ““And it seems I ought to scatter too. Perhaps at once. It's always better to turn your back on the gale than press your face against it.”” [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When faced with overwhelming forces, it is wiser to retreat than to confront them head‑on. **In simple terms:** Avoid direct clash with powerful forces. Key Takeaway Choose strategic retreat over futile resistance. Themes strategy conflict survival Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - personal crises - political oppression - natural disasters Key Concepts psychological resilience risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - When is retreat the smarter choice? - How to know when to face versus flee? A Different Perspective Retreat may be seen as cowardice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Scatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scatter/) ## Related quotes > [How wonderful it would be to scatter words as they rise to consciousness, to let them lie where they fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-scott/how-wonderful-it-would-be-to-scatter-words-as-they-rise-to/) [Joanna Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-scott/) > [Scatter my ashes on the Shannon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-mccourt/scatter-my-ashes-on-the-shannon/) [Frank McCourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-mccourt/) > [The best way to do good to ourselves is to do it to others; the right way to gather is to scatter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-best-way-to-do-good-to-ourselves-is-to-do-it-to-others-the-right/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Of-course we did, but we didn't reply because we knew once this leaks the others will scatter, so in the few days we moved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/of-course-we-did-but-we-didn-t-reply-because-we-knew-once-this-leaks/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [I haven't really thought about where to scatter my ashes when the time comes, but I doubt that it would be in space.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/i-haven-t-really-thought-about-where-to-scatter-my-ashes-when-the/) [Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/) > [“The thick baffling blades of false world customs rip off my views and ideas,like breaking every string of my aesthetic thoughts in disdain and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nithin-purple/the-thick-baffling-blades-of-false-world-customs-rip-off-my-views-and/) [Nithin Purple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nithin-purple/) > [“When I observe the daytime horizon, I see white sky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/when-i-observe-the-daytime-horizon-i-see-white-sky/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The United groups always overcome scatters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamaran-ihsan-salih/the-united-groups-always-overcome-scatters/) [Kamaran Ihsan Salih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamaran-ihsan-salih/) > [“Leaders gather scattered people with the positive influence of intimacy while misleaders scatter gathered people with the negative influence of intimidation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/leaders-gather-scattered-people-with-the-positive-influence-of/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The small is easy to scatter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-small-is-easy-to-scatter/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-no-beautifier-of-complexion-or-form-or-behavior-like-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Either get together or scatter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hlovate/either-get-together-or-scatter/) Hlovate > [“Knowledge was scattered treasure, education organized it into art, commerce and science.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/knowledge-was-scattered-treasure-education-organized-it-into-art/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Scatter seeds of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ade/scatter-seeds-of-kindness/) [George Ade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ade/) > [Everything might scatter. You might be right. I suppose it's something we can't easily get away from. People need to feel they belong. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kazuo-ishiguro/everything-might-scatter-you-might-be-right-i-suppose-it-s-something/) [Kazuo Ishiguro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kazuo-ishiguro/) ## More by Jim Crace > [“On nights like this, when there is anxiety about, there is a glut of lovemaking. Then the moon is our dance master. He has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/on-nights-like-this-when-there-is-anxiety-about-there-is-a-glut-of/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [Retiring from writing is not to retire from life, but retiring from writing is to avoid the inevitable bitterness which a writing career is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/retiring-from-writing-is-not-to-retire-from-life-but-retiring-from/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“There's not a season set aside for pondering and reveries. It will not les us hesitate or rest; it does not wish us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/there-s-not-a-season-set-aside-for-pondering-and-reveries-it-will-not/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“I am excused, I think, for wondering if I am the only one alive this afternoon with no other living soul who wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/i-am-excused-i-think-for-wondering-if-i-am-the-only-one-alive-this/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [Try pitching a story of happiness to your editors and their toes are going to curl up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/try-pitching-a-story-of-happiness-to-your-editors-and-their-toes-are/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“Sometimes in matters of the heart words are not required. Are ill advised, in fact.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/sometimes-in-matters-of-the-heart-words-are-not-required-are-ill/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [To ask a novelist to talk about his novels is like asking somebody to cook about their dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/to-ask-a-novelist-to-talk-about-his-novels-is-like-asking-somebody-to/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“I think I'd like her to turn round. I want to see her face a second time. That first time she was hardly visible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/i-think-i-d-like-her-to-turn-round-i-want-to-see-her-face-a-second/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“Any hawk looking down on the orchard's cloistered square, hoping for the titbit of a beetle or a mouse, would see a patterned canopy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/any-hawk-looking-down-on-the-orchard-s-cloistered-square-hoping-for/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [There is no remedy for death--or birth--except to hug the spaces in between. Live loud. Live wide. Live tall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/there-is-no-remedy-for-death-or-birth-except-to-hug-the-spaces-in/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [Secrets are like pregnancies hereabouts. You can hide them for a while but then they will start screaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/secrets-are-like-pregnancies-hereabouts-you-can-hide-them-for-a-while/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [I was captivated by Sherrie Flick's meticulous and intelligent study of Margaret and Vivette, and the men they share. Reconsidering Happiness is a courageously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/i-was-captivated-by-sherrie-flick-s-meticulous-and-intelligent-study/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“The mood has changed. It's heavier. We were liquid; now we're stones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/the-mood-has-changed-it-s-heavier-we-were-liquid-now-we-re-stones/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [There's solace in the thought that I will never finish missing her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/there-s-solace-in-the-thought-that-i-will-never-finish-missing-her/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) > [“The dead leaves fly. They're cropped and gathered to the rich barn of the earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-crace/the-dead-leaves-fly-they-re-cropped-and-gathered-to-the-rich-barn-of/) [Jim Crace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) [Explore all 19 Jim Crace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-crace/) ## More Gale quotes > [A furious Peeta hammers Haymitch with the atrocity he could become party to, but I can feel Haymitch watching me. This is the moment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/a-furious-peeta-hammers-haymitch-with-the-atrocity-he-could-become/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Katniss?" Peeta says. I meet his eyes, knowing my face must be some shade of green. He mouths the words. "How about that kiss?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-peeta-says-i-meet-his-eyes-knowing-my-face-must-be-some-shade/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Katniss…he's still trying to keep you alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-he-s-still-trying-to-keep-you-alive/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“Katniss blew it out, Peeta,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/katniss-blew-it-out-peeta/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [The perennial gale of creative destruction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-a-schumpeter/the-perennial-gale-of-creative-destruction/) [Joseph A. Schumpeter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-a-schumpeter/) > [“He says he’d like to see you.” I’m on a frosting sailboat, tossed around by blue-green waves, the deck shifting beneath my feet. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-says-he-d-like-to-see-you-i-m-on-a-frosting-sailboat-tossed-around/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“We got them all out. Except Enobaria. But since she’s from Two, we doubt she’s being held anyway. Peeta’s at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/we-got-them-all-out-except-enobaria-but-since-she-s-from-two-we-doubt/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [I asked these Indians: "Do men ever make Chicha?" My question was met with gales of laughter. The women howled. Bent over in hilarity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-d-eames/i-asked-these-indians-do-men-ever-make-chicha-my-question-was-met/) [Alan D. Eames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-d-eames/) > [I will never have a life with Gale even if I want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-will-never-have-a-life-with-gale-even-if-i-want-to/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [When a crew and a captain understand each other to the core, it takes a gale, and more than a gale, to put their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/when-a-crew-and-a-captain-understand-each-other-to-the-core-it-takes/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“it’s like they can read my thoughts. “The locket didn’t work, did it?” Peeta says, even though Finnick is right there. Even though everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/it-s-like-they-can-read-my-thoughts-the-locket-didn-t-work-did-it/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [No one will forget me. Not my look, not my name. Katniss. The girl who was on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/no-one-will-forget-me-not-my-look-not-my-name-katniss-the-girl-who/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [“He made a point of complimenting Lysistrara's brilliant handling of the rabies situation and thanking her for her generosity in the last minutes of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/he-made-a-point-of-complimenting-lysistrara-s-brilliant-handling-of/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Hoist up sail while gale doth last, Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southwell/hoist-up-sail-while-gale-doth-last-tide-and-wind-stay-no-man-s/) [Robert Southwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southwell/) > [As a society, I think we express our cultural mores through our politics. We're trying constantly to figure out what's OK and what's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-wilson/as-a-society-i-think-we-express-our-cultural-mores-through-our/) [Daniel H. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-wilson/) Browse all 380 Gale quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“And it seems I ought to scatter too. Perhaps at once. 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