--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A witty writer is like a porcupine; his…" description: "\"A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe.\" — Josh Billings" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png" --- # A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no… ![“A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe.” quote by Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png) > “A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe.” [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A witty writer’s words can sting indiscriminately, harming both friends and foes. **In simple terms:** Witty words can hurt anyone. Key Takeaway Use humor wisely. Themes humor communication wit Mood playful cautionary Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - public speaking - writing - media commentary - personal relationships Key Concepts indiscriminate impact social nuance Questions to Reflect On - When does humor cross the line? - How can you balance wit with sensitivity? A Different Perspective Humor can alienate if not calibrated to audience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Foe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foe/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Porcupines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/porcupines/) [Quill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quill/) [Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [The powerful and prominent soar like dragons, the heroic and valiant fight like tigers: but if you look upon them with cool eyes, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zicheng-hong/the-powerful-and-prominent-soar-like-dragons-the-heroic-and-valiant/) [Zicheng Hong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zicheng-hong/) > [I wanted people to say that our music sounds like Porcupine Tree, not that it sounds like King Crimson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/i-wanted-people-to-say-that-our-music-sounds-like-porcupine-tree-not/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [I'm a little hoarse tonight. I've been living in Chicago for the past two months, and you know how it is, yelling for help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-allen/i-m-a-little-hoarse-tonight-i-ve-been-living-in-chicago-for-the-past/) [Fred Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-allen/) > [I asked Sunny if she would ever consider dating you. She said she would rather give birth to a porcupine on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-lawler/i-asked-sunny-if-she-would-ever-consider-dating-you-she-said-she/) [Jerry Lawler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-lawler/) > [If you have enough push, you don't have to worry about the pull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-have-enough-push-you-don-t-have-to-worry-about-the-pull/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [We're writing a book together. She just finished one. Did you read it? Among the Porcupines?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/we-re-writing-a-book-together-she-just-finished-one-did-you-read-it/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [“There is an old German fable about porcupines who need to huddle together for warmth, but are in danger of hurting each other with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynne-truss/there-is-an-old-german-fable-about-porcupines-who-need-to-huddle/) [Lynne Truss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynne-truss/) > [Follow that porcupine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/follow-that-porcupine/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [The nut of this tree is hung high aloft, wrapped in a silk wrapper, which is enclosed in a case of sole leather, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-de-camoes/the-nut-of-this-tree-is-hung-high-aloft-wrapped-in-a-silk-wrapper/) [Luis de Camoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-de-camoes/) > [You can fight a porcupine and win, but if other folks get a look at you they may think it's a bad idea to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-knox/you-can-fight-a-porcupine-and-win-but-if-other-folks-get-a-look-at/) Neal Knox > [ I read that book How to Hug a Porcupine \[by Julie Ross\] - it's my parenting bible. They say you have to trust your… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/i-read-that-book-how-to-hug-a-porcupine-by-julie-ross-it-s-my/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [Rose goblins are built like porcupines - if you rub them the right way, you don't have to worry about the spines. They're sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rose-goblins-are-built-like-porcupines-if-you-rub-them-the-right-way/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Pushing a company agenda on social media is like throwing water balloons at a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-qualman/pushing-a-company-agenda-on-social-media-is-like-throwing-water/) [Erik Qualman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-qualman/) > [The porcupine, which one must handle gloved, may be respected, but is never loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-guiterman/the-porcupine-which-one-must-handle-gloved-may-be-respected-but-is/) [Arthur Guiterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-guiterman/) ## More by Josh Billings > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Man was created a little lower than the angels and has been getting a little lower ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/man-was-created-a-little-lower-than-the-angels-and-has-been-getting-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [There is only one good substitute for the endearments of a sister, and that is the endearments of some other fellow's sister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/there-is-only-one-good-substitute-for-the-endearments-of-a-sister-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds a man down or polishes him up depends on the stuff he's made of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/life-is-a-grindstone-and-whether-it-grinds-a-man-down-or-polishes-him/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Its harly my dog A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/its-harly-my-dog-a-dog-is-the-only-thing-on-earth-that-loves-you-more/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Perseverance is king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/perseverance-is-king/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Unless we put heart and soul into our labor we but brutify our actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/unless-we-put-heart-and-soul-into-our-labor-we-but-brutify-our-actions/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [A secret ceases to be a secret if it is once confided - it is like a dollar bill, once broken, it is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-secret-ceases-to-be-a-secret-if-it-is-once-confided-it-is-like-a/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If a man is right, he can't be too radical; if he is wrong, he can't be too conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-a-man-is-right-he-can-t-be-too-radical-if-he-is-wrong-he-can-t-be/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [As a general rule, if you want to get at the truth - hear both sides and believe neither.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/as-a-general-rule-if-you-want-to-get-at-the-truth-hear-both-sides-and/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Economy is a savings-bank, into which men drop pennies, and get dollars in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/economy-is-a-savings-bank-into-which-men-drop-pennies-and-get-dollars/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Self-made men are most always apt to be a little too proud of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/self-made-men-are-most-always-apt-to-be-a-little-too-proud-of-the-job/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Poverty is one of them kind of misfortunes that we all of us dread but none of us pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/poverty-is-one-of-them-kind-of-misfortunes-that-we-all-of-us-dread/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [If the world despises a hypocrite, what must they think of him in heaven?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-the-world-despises-a-hypocrite-what-must-they-think-of-him-in/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [The man who gets bit twice by the same dog is better adapted for that kind of business than any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/the-man-who-gets-bit-twice-by-the-same-dog-is-better-adapted-for-that/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) [Explore all 372 Josh Billings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) ## More Distinction quotes > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) Edward Einhorn > [The fact -- not theory -- that evolution has occurred and the Darwinian theory as to how it occurred have become so confused in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/the-fact-not-theory-that-evolution-has-occurred-and-the-darwinian/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [If I have a system it is limited to a recognition of what Kierkegaard called 'the infinite qualitative distinction' between time and eternity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-barth/if-i-have-a-system-it-is-limited-to-a-recognition-of-what-kierkegaard/) [Karl Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-barth/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I make no distinction between writing and storytelling; I've always wanted to tell stories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-lindelof/i-make-no-distinction-between-writing-and-storytelling-i-ve-always/) [Damon Lindelof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-lindelof/) > [Where did you find that one?" "I have no idea. I'm a magnet for crazies, I guess." "They must be able to sense a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/where-did-you-find-that-one-i-have-no-idea-i-m-a-magnet-for-crazies-i/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I realized early on that the academy and the literary world alike - and I don't think there really is a distinction between the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/i-realized-early-on-that-the-academy-and-the-literary-world-alike-and/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [Alfred Nobel stipulated that no distinction of race or colour will determine who received of his generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdus-salam/alfred-nobel-stipulated-that-no-distinction-of-race-or-colour-will/) [Abdus Salam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdus-salam/) > [I think it is important for all those young out there - who someday hope to play real football, where you throw it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kemp/i-think-it-is-important-for-all-those-young-out-there-who-someday/) [Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kemp/) > [I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [There is no moral distinction between petty thievery and 'from each according to ability, to each according to need.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/there-is-no-moral-distinction-between-petty-thievery-and-from-each/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [People always make this totally artificial distinction between what is commercial and what is good. They quote that maxim "Nobody ever lost money underestimating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/people-always-make-this-totally-artificial-distinction-between-what/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [People should make distinctions between the office of the presidency and the person who occupies it. You can respect the office even as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-greenberg/people-should-make-distinctions-between-the-office-of-the-presidency/) [David Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-greenberg/) [Browse all 1,181 Distinction quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Josh Billings" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-quill-makes-no-distinction/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Distinction" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-quill-makes-no-distinction/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e36/josh-billings-777_distinction_a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-q_2343002.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A witty writer is like a porcupine; his quill makes no distinction between friend and foe.” — Josh Billings", "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": "Josh Billings", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A witty writer is like a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-quill-makes-no-distinction/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/a-witty-writer-is-like-a-porcupine-his-quill-makes-no-distinction/#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 } } ] } ```