--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: New York was something like a circus…" description: "\"New York was something like a circus performer walking a tightrope an juggling at the same time…It could barely maintain its position, but an movement ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg" --- # New York was something like a circus performer walking a… ![“New York was something like a circus performer walking a tightrope an juggling at the same time…It could barely maintain its position, but an movement would tip the whole balance.” quote by John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg) > “New York was something like a circus performer walking a tightrope an juggling at the same time…It could barely maintain its position, but an movement would tip the whole balance.” [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. New York balances many competing forces, making it fragile and dynamic like a circus act. **In simple terms:** NYC is a delicate balancing act. Key Takeaway Maintain equilibrium through careful coordination. Themes city planning balance complexity fragility Mood tense optimistic Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - traffic flow - housing market - public events - emergency response Key Concepts Systems theory urban dynamics risk management Questions to Reflect On - What keeps the city stable? - How can we improve resilience? A Different Perspective Too many variables can cause sudden collapse. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Circus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circus/) [Juggling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/juggling/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [New york](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-york/) [Performers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performers/) ## Related quotes > [The States are great. I'd like to go just to see life, see things and hear people talk. It's like a circus where different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-capaldi/the-states-are-great-i-d-like-to-go-just-to-see-life-see-things-and/) [Jim Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-capaldi/) > [I look like a casual, laid-back guy, but it's like a circus in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-look-like-a-casual-laid-back-guy-but-it-s-like-a-circus-in-my-head/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I think the movie business and film crews are a little bit like the circus, in that we travel around like a pack and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-lawrence/i-think-the-movie-business-and-film-crews-are-a-little-bit-like-the/) [Francis Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-lawrence/) > [On a film, you start to get closer and closer with the people you're working with, and it becomes like this circus act or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/on-a-film-you-start-to-get-closer-and-closer-with-the-people-you-re/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [I remember I had a boyfriend a long time ago who said, 'You need to change your name; you sound like a circus performer.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-punch/i-remember-i-had-a-boyfriend-a-long-time-ago-who-said-you-need-to/) [Lucy Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-punch/) > [I would sing in public, and everyone would be like, 'She's got the voice of a divorced woman in the body of a 13-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/i-would-sing-in-public-and-everyone-would-be-like-she-s-got-the-voice/) [Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/) > [The attraction of the virtuoso for the public is very like that of the circus for the crowd. There is always the hope that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-debussy/the-attraction-of-the-virtuoso-for-the-public-is-very-like-that-of/) [Claude Debussy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-debussy/) > [I don't want every member of System to have their own label. It will be like a circus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shavo-odadjian/i-don-t-want-every-member-of-system-to-have-their-own-label-it-will/) [Shavo Odadjian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shavo-odadjian/) > [Rock 'n' roll is like a circus today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-manzarek/rock-n-roll-is-like-a-circus-today/) [Ray Manzarek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-manzarek/) > [I'm never going to be the lead actor guy. I'm real quiet and real happy and real fortunate to keep working. It's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ironside/i-m-never-going-to-be-the-lead-actor-guy-i-m-real-quiet-and-real/) [Michael Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ironside/) > [“His lap looked like it was already occupied--by a giant boner. It pressed against his pants like a circus tent pole. Elephants could fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juniper-bell/his-lap-looked-like-it-was-already-occupied-by-a-giant-boner-it/) Juniper Bell > [Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johan-cruijff/technique-is-not-being-able-to-juggle-a-ball-1000-times-anyone-can-do/) [Johan Cruijff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johan-cruijff/) > [And, now, come to this spot Where the spotlight is hot And you'll see in the spotlight A Juggling Jott Who can juggle some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/and-now-come-to-this-spot-where-the-spotlight-is-hot-and-you-ll-see/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [“We were walking that tightrope between friends and something more...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-aragon/we-were-walking-that-tightrope-between-friends-and-something-more/) [Melissa Aragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-aragon/) > [“Life is like walking a tightrope: A balance between turning inward Often enough to find your happy core And focusing outward Often enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/life-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-a-balance-between-turning-inward/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) ## More by John Lindsay > [Technology tends to fuel the imagination. People with a technological bent can get excited by sometimes the most hazardous technologies, if they think they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/technology-tends-to-fuel-the-imagination-people-with-a-technological/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [There's something about the awareness of the limits that makes you tune in more to your surroundings and I've experienced a lot of pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/there-s-something-about-the-awareness-of-the-limits-that-makes-you/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [I try to build the things so that they're fairly indestructible. I've learned from my mistakes and some of those units, even if human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/i-try-to-build-the-things-so-that-they-re-fairly-indestructible-i-ve/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [These girls play tennis first and foremost, the fact that many of them are very glamorous is a major bonus for any promoter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/these-girls-play-tennis-first-and-foremost-the-fact-that-many-of-them/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [Those who suppress freedom always do so in the name of law and order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/those-who-suppress-freedom-always-do-so-in-the-name-of-law-and-order/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [Obviously technologies that are sustainable are a logical first step to creating a just society, one that doesn't trample life in all its forms,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/obviously-technologies-that-are-sustainable-are-a-logical-first-step/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [I'm definitely more interested in technologies that are more accessible, that are as accessible as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/i-m-definitely-more-interested-in-technologies-that-are-more/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [The soil of Palestine still enjoys her sabbaths, and only waits for the return of her banished children, and the application of industry, commensurate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/the-soil-of-palestine-still-enjoys-her-sabbaths-and-only-waits-for/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [We see political leaders replacing moral imperatives with a Southern strategy. We have seen all too clearly that there are men-now in power in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/we-see-political-leaders-replacing-moral-imperatives-with-a-southern/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [There are men - now in power in this country - who do not respect dissent, who cannot cope with turmoil, and who believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/there-are-men-now-in-power-in-this-country-who-do-not-respect-dissent/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [Technology has to be accessible otherwise it enslaves us, and I'm not really in favour of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/technology-has-to-be-accessible-otherwise-it-enslaves-us-and-i-m-not/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [You've got to be happy if they get your facts right. Since January I don't think I've recognized a damned thing that I've filed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/you-ve-got-to-be-happy-if-they-get-your-facts-right-since-january-i/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [New York has total depth in every area. Washington has only politics; after that, the second biggest thing is white marble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/new-york-has-total-depth-in-every-area-washington-has-only-politics/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [Not only is New York City the nation's melting pot, it is also the casserole, the chafing dish and the charcoal grill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/not-only-is-new-york-city-the-nation-s-melting-pot-it-is-also-the/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) > [I like the analogy that the way that we live in Western Society, the energy that we consume in the form of fossil fuels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/i-like-the-analogy-that-the-way-that-we-live-in-western-society-the/) [John Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) [Explore all 17 John Lindsay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/) ## More Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "New York was something like a circus performer walking a tightrope an juggling at the same time…It could barely maintain its position, but an movement would tip the whole balance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Lindsay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-performer-walking-a-tightrope-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-performer-walking-a-tightrope-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc4/john-lindsay-30608_balance_new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-per_1910700.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“New York was something like a circus performer walking a tightrope an juggling at the same time…It could…” — John Lindsay", "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": "John Lindsay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lindsay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "New York was something like a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-performer-walking-a-tightrope-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lindsay/new-york-was-something-like-a-circus-performer-walking-a-tightrope-an/#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 } } ] } ```