--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some people have told me they dont think…" description: "\"Some people have told me they dont think a fat penguin really embodies the grace of Linux, which just tells me they have never seen an angry penguin ch..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/linus-torvalds-1512_choice_some-people-have-told-me-they-dont-think_2591708.jpg" --- # Some people have told me they dont think a fat penguin… ![“Some people have told me they dont think a fat penguin really embodies the grace of Linux, which just tells me they have never seen an angry penguin charging at them in excess of 100mph. Theyd be a lot more careful about what they say if they had.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/linus-torvalds-1512_choice_some-people-have-told-me-they-dont-think_2591708.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/linus-torvalds-1512_choice_some-people-have-told-me-they-dont-think_2591708.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44a/linus-torvalds-1512_choice_some-people-have-told-me-they-dont-think_2591708.jpg) > “Some people have told me they dont think a fat penguin really embodies the grace of Linux, which just tells me they have never seen an angry penguin charging at them in excess of 100mph. Theyd be a lot more careful about what they say if they had.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uses a vivid metaphor to criticize superficial judgments of Linux’s power. **In simple terms:** Linux is powerful despite appearances. Key Takeaway Don’t judge technology by its mascot. Themes technology misconception power Mood humorous defensive Type satirical inspirational When to use this quote - software evaluation - tech education - public speaking Key Concepts metaphor critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you convey technical strength without jargon? - What other symbols misrepresent tech? A Different Perspective Metaphor may be misunderstood by non‑technical audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Penguin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/penguin/) [Software](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/software/) [Whale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whale/) ## Related quotes > [Some people have told me they don't think a fat penguin really embodies the grace of Linux, which just tells me they have never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/some-people-have-told-me-they-don-t-think-a-fat-penguin-really/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I want to be your personal penguin. Please?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-boynton/i-want-to-be-your-personal-penguin-please/) [Sandra Boynton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-boynton/) > [“They (penguins) then fall madly in love and live happily ever after. - And so you ask yourself: "If a penguin can have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-trevor-greive/they-penguins-then-fall-madly-in-love-and-live-happily-ever-after-and/) Bradley Trevor Greive > [The penguin doesn't know it's cute, and the leopard seal doesn't know it's kind of big and monstrous. This is just the food chain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-nicklen/the-penguin-doesn-t-know-it-s-cute-and-the-leopard-seal-doesn-t-know/) [Paul Nicklen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-nicklen/) > [Penguins mate for life. Which doesn't really surprise me, because they all look exactly alike. It's not like they're gonna meet a better-looking penguin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-degeneres/penguins-mate-for-life-which-doesn-t-really-surprise-me-because-they/) [Ellen DeGeneres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-degeneres/) > [Penguins mate for life. That doesn't surprise me much because they all look alike. It's not like they're going to meet a really new,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/penguins-mate-for-life-that-doesn-t-surprise-me-much-because-they-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One can't be angry when one looks at a penguin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/one-can-t-be-angry-when-one-looks-at-a-penguin/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“Your penguin. You know, penguins. They mate for life. Penguins are one of the only animals on the planet that do that, like humans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-naughton/your-penguin-you-know-penguins-they-mate-for-life-penguins-are-one-of/) [Elisabeth Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-naughton/) > [“Could one perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on a penguin?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-michell/could-one-perform-the-heimlich-manoeuvre-on-a-penguin/) Tom Michell > [Probably the worst thing about being a penguin is after youre in an argument youll try to waddle away angrily but still look adorably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/probably-the-worst-thing-about-being-a-penguin-is-after-youre-in-an/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“No, thanks. I already own a penguin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-allen/no-thanks-i-already-own-a-penguin/) [Woody Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-allen/) > [“Then the boy realised,the penguin wasn't lost,he was just lonely.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-jeffers/then-the-boy-realised-the-penguin-wasn-t-lost-he-was-just-lonely/) [Oliver Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-jeffers/) > [Back in my school days, when I would scuttle off with a cheese roll, an apple, a box of Sun-Maid raisins and a Penguin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-khoo/back-in-my-school-days-when-i-would-scuttle-off-with-a-cheese-roll-an/) [Rachel Khoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-khoo/) > [I think that I can do with the Penguin what Heath Ledger did with the Joker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-walter-hauser/i-think-that-i-can-do-with-the-penguin-what-heath-ledger-did-with-the/) [Paul Walter Hauser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-walter-hauser/) > [“Wait, seriously, what's a piss pot?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-shand/wait-seriously-what-s-a-piss-pot/) [Pat Shand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-shand/) ## More by Linus Torvalds > [Once you realize that documentation should be laughed at, peed upon, put on fire, and just ridiculed in general, then, and only then, have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/once-you-realize-that-documentation-should-be-laughed-at-peed-upon/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think, fundamentally, open source does tend to be more stable software. It's the right way to do things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-fundamentally-open-source-does-tend-to-be-more-stable/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I used to be interested in Windows NT, but the more I see it, the more it looks like traditional Windows with a stabler…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-used-to-be-interested-in-windows-nt-but-the-more-i-see-it-the-more/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I think that freely available software can not only keep up with the evolution of commercial software, but often exceed what you can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-think-that-freely-available-software-can-not-only-keep-up-with-the/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Programmers are in the enviable position of not only getting to do what they want to, but because the end result is so important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/programmers-are-in-the-enviable-position-of-not-only-getting-to-do/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The NIH syndrome (Not Invented Here) is a disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-nih-syndrome-not-invented-here-is-a-disease/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [The correct form factor for a laptop is obviously 12" and 2 lbs, and I don't understand why everybody gets that wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/the-correct-form-factor-for-a-laptop-is-obviously-12-and-2-lbs-and-i/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Hmmm, completely a-religious - atheist. I find that people seem to think religion brings morals and appreciation of nature. I actually think it detracts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/hmmm-completely-a-religious-atheist-i-find-that-people-seem-to-think/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [People will realize that software is not a product; you use it to build a product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/people-will-realize-that-software-is-not-a-product-you-use-it-to/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I claim that Mach people (and apparently FreeBSD) are incompetent idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-claim-that-mach-people-and-apparently-freebsd-are-incompetent-idiots/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [There are "extremists" in the free software world, but that's one major reason why I don't call what I do "free software" any more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/there-are-extremists-in-the-free-software-world-but-that-s-one-major/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Real quality means making sure that people are proud of the code they write, that they're involved and taking it personally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/real-quality-means-making-sure-that-people-are-proud-of-the-code-they/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I have one very basic rule when it comes to "good ideas". A good idea is not an idea that solves a problem cleanly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-have-one-very-basic-rule-when-it-comes-to-good-ideas-a-good-idea-is/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [I've never regretted not making Linux shareware: I really don't like the pay for use binary shareware programs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/i-ve-never-regretted-not-making-linux-shareware-i-really-don-t-like/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) > [Modern PCs are horrible. ACPI is a complete design disaster in every way. But we're kind of stuck with it. If any Intel people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-torvalds/modern-pcs-are-horrible-acpi-is-a-complete-design-disaster-in-every/) [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) [Explore all 233 Linus Torvalds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Some people have told me they dont think a fat penguin really embodies the grace of Linux, which just tells me they have never seen an angry penguin charging at them in excess of 100mph. 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