Change Quote by John Mortimer
““You can't change people. You know that. You can't make them stop hating each other, or longing to blow up the world, not by walking through the rain and singing to a small guitar. Most you can do for them is pull them out of the womb, thump them on the backside and let them get on with it.””
About This Quote
Source Film: The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, 1994
People cannot be forced to change; they must learn through experience and personal consequences.
In simple terms: Change must come from within.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits of influence.
Themes
personal responsibility
limitations
growth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- leadership
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
psychology
behavioral change
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you support autonomy while guiding others?
- What boundaries should you set when influencing?
A Different Perspective
People may resist change despite external pressure.
![“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life of our father.' [...] Even after a couple of brandies he felt extremely reluctant to discuss sex and his father. 'It's something I'd rather not think about,' he said. 'We all come into…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/280/john-mortimer-7362_conception_take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-m_4946.jpg)
