---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be a goose!"
description: "\"“Don't be a goose!”\" — Margaret Mitchell"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/margaret-mitchell-692_goose_don-t-be-a-goose-2612219_2612219.jpg"
---

#  Don't be a goose!

![“Don't be a goose!” quote by Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/margaret-mitchell-692_goose_don-t-be-a-goose-2612219_2612219.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/margaret-mitchell-692_goose_don-t-be-a-goose-2612219_2612219.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c63/margaret-mitchell-692_goose_don-t-be-a-goose-2612219_2612219.jpg)

> ““Don't be a goose!””

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advises against foolish or careless behavior, urging vigilance and thoughtfulness.

**In simple terms:** Avoid being careless or naive.

Key Takeaway

Think before acting.

Themes

wisdom prudence self‑control

Mood

cautionary reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- everyday decisions
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- personal finance

Key Concepts

behavioral psychology decision making risk awareness

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you acted without thinking?
- What strategies help you stay mindful?

A Different Perspective

Simple advice may overlook complex contexts.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Don Goose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-goose-2038211/) [Goose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goose/)

## Related quotes

> [“Melly couldn't say boo to a goose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/melly-couldn-t-say-boo-to-a-goose/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase - that's what wild geese are for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-refuse-to-go-on-an-occasional-wild-goose-chase-that-s-what-wild/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These, by some occult process of nature, are penetrated and suffused with various degrees of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/goose-n-a-bird-that-supplies-quills-for-writing-these-by-some-occult/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [For watching sports, I tend to drink Guinness; early evenings always begin well with a Grey Goose and tonic with plenty of lime; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-bashir/for-watching-sports-i-tend-to-drink-guinness-early-evenings-always/)

[Martin Bashir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-bashir/)

> [Any powerful technology has sauce for the goose and the gander... It's just an extension of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/any-powerful-technology-has-sauce-for-the-goose-and-the-gander-it-s/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [A fox should not be on the jury at a goose's trial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/a-fox-should-not-be-on-the-jury-at-a-goose-s-trial/)

[Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/)

> [The art of plucking the goose without making it cry out has been developed to a high state of perfection at the hands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-c-howe/the-art-of-plucking-the-goose-without-making-it-cry-out-has-been/)

[Frederic C. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-c-howe/)

> [Don't kill the golden goose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/don-t-kill-the-golden-goose/)

[Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/)

> [When I wrote 'Goose' I gave my assistant my password, she locked me out of Twitter, and I wrote the book in five weeks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/when-i-wrote-goose-i-gave-my-assistant-my-password-she-locked-me-out/)

[Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/)

> [“... I say and maintain, that of all torcheculs, arsewisps, bumfodders, tail-napkins, bunghole cleansers, and wipe-breeches, there is none in the world comparable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/i-say-and-maintain-that-of-all-torcheculs-arsewisps-bumfodders-tail/)

[François Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/)

> [I think only a batsman will be able to tell you about the goose bumps he gets after hitting a perfect cover drive. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-gambhir/i-think-only-a-batsman-will-be-able-to-tell-you-about-the-goose-bumps/)

[Gautam Gambhir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-gambhir/)

> [I, Geric-Sinath of Gerhard, declare that you're beautiful and you're perfect and I'll slay any man who tries to take you from my side.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-geric-sinath-of-gerhard-declare-that-you-re-beautiful-and-you-re/)

[Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/)

> [The early Celtic Christians called the Holy Spirit 'the wild goose.' And the reason why is they knew that you cannot tame him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-eldredge/the-early-celtic-christians-called-the-holy-spirit-the-wild-goose-and/)

[John Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-eldredge/)

> [While man exclaims, "See all things for my use!" "See man for mine!" replies a pamper'd goose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/while-man-exclaims-see-all-things-for-my-use-see-man-for-mine-replies/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [Take any writer you want in the 19th century: they wrote with quill pens, dipping a piece of goose feather in ink and writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-murch/take-any-writer-you-want-in-the-19th-century-they-wrote-with-quill/)

[Walter Murch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-murch/)

## More by Margaret Mitchell

> [I won't think of it now. I can't stand it now. I'll think of it later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/i-won-t-think-of-it-now-i-can-t-stand-it-now-i-ll-think-of-it-later/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“I don't want any money for it," he said. "It's a gift." Scarlett's mouth dropped open. The line was so closely, so carefully drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/i-don-t-want-any-money-for-it-he-said-it-s-a-gift-scarlett-s-mouth/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [Until you lose your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/until-you-lose-your-reputation-you-never-realize-what-a-burden-it-was/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [And apologies, once postponed, become harder and harder to make, and finally impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/and-apologies-once-postponed-become-harder-and-harder-to-make-and/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“There was a glow of grim pride in her usually gentle face, approbation and a fierce joy in her smile that equaled the fiery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/there-was-a-glow-of-grim-pride-in-her-usually-gentle-face-approbation/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [Her lips on his could tell him better than all her stumbling words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/her-lips-on-his-could-tell-him-better-than-all-her-stumbling-words/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [The way to get a man interested and to hold his interest was to talk about himself, and then gradually lead the conversation around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/the-way-to-get-a-man-interested-and-to-hold-his-interest-was-to-talk/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [She was as forthright and simple as the winds that blew over Tara and the yellow river that wound around it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/she-was-as-forthright-and-simple-as-the-winds-that-blew-over-tara-and/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“The very mystery of him excited her curiosity like a door that had neither lock nor key.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/the-very-mystery-of-him-excited-her-curiosity-like-a-door-that-had/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“He had never once crossed the borders of friendliness with her and, when she thought of this, fresh anger rose, the anger of hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/he-had-never-once-crossed-the-borders-of-friendliness-with-her-and/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“The husband is always the last to find out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/the-husband-is-always-the-last-to-find-out/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [People must do what they must do. We all don't think alike or act alike and it's wrong to-to judge others by ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/people-must-do-what-they-must-do-we-all-don-t-think-alike-or-act/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [All you have done is to be different from other women and you have made a little success of it. This is unforgivable sin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/all-you-have-done-is-to-be-different-from-other-women-and-you-have/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“She felt puzzled and ashamed, as always when people attributed to her emotions and motives they possessed and thought she shared.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/she-felt-puzzled-and-ashamed-as-always-when-people-attributed-to-her/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

> [“I do not want to marry you or anyone else. I am not a marrying man.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/i-do-not-want-to-marry-you-or-anyone-else-i-am-not-a-marrying-man/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

[Explore all 391 Margaret Mitchell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

## More Goose quotes

> [Take any writer you want in the 19th century: they wrote with quill pens, dipping a piece of goose feather in ink and writing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-murch/take-any-writer-you-want-in-the-19th-century-they-wrote-with-quill/)

[Walter Murch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-murch/)

> [While man exclaims, "See all things for my use!" "See man for mine!" replies a pamper'd goose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/while-man-exclaims-see-all-things-for-my-use-see-man-for-mine-replies/)

[Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/)

> [The early Celtic Christians called the Holy Spirit 'the wild goose.' And the reason why is they knew that you cannot tame him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-eldredge/the-early-celtic-christians-called-the-holy-spirit-the-wild-goose-and/)

[John Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-eldredge/)

> [I, Geric-Sinath of Gerhard, declare that you're beautiful and you're perfect and I'll slay any man who tries to take you from my side.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-hale/i-geric-sinath-of-gerhard-declare-that-you-re-beautiful-and-you-re/)

[Shannon Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-hale/)

> [I think only a batsman will be able to tell you about the goose bumps he gets after hitting a perfect cover drive. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautam-gambhir/i-think-only-a-batsman-will-be-able-to-tell-you-about-the-goose-bumps/)

[Gautam Gambhir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautam-gambhir/)

> [“... I say and maintain, that of all torcheculs, arsewisps, bumfodders, tail-napkins, bunghole cleansers, and wipe-breeches, there is none in the world comparable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/i-say-and-maintain-that-of-all-torcheculs-arsewisps-bumfodders-tail/)

[François Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/)

> [When I wrote 'Goose' I gave my assistant my password, she locked me out of Twitter, and I wrote the book in five weeks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dawn-o-porter/when-i-wrote-goose-i-gave-my-assistant-my-password-she-locked-me-out/)

[Dawn O'Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dawn-o-porter/)

> [Don't kill the golden goose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-mclaren/don-t-kill-the-golden-goose/)

[Malcolm Mclaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-mclaren/)

> [The art of plucking the goose without making it cry out has been developed to a high state of perfection at the hands of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-c-howe/the-art-of-plucking-the-goose-without-making-it-cry-out-has-been/)

[Frederic C. Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-c-howe/)

> [A fox should not be on the jury at a goose's trial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/a-fox-should-not-be-on-the-jury-at-a-goose-s-trial/)

[Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/)

> [Any powerful technology has sauce for the goose and the gander... It's just an extension of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-perry-barlow/any-powerful-technology-has-sauce-for-the-goose-and-the-gander-it-s/)

[John Perry Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-perry-barlow/)

> [For watching sports, I tend to drink Guinness; early evenings always begin well with a Grey Goose and tonic with plenty of lime; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-bashir/for-watching-sports-i-tend-to-drink-guinness-early-evenings-always/)

[Martin Bashir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-bashir/)

> [GOOSE, n. A bird that supplies quills for writing. These, by some occult process of nature, are penetrated and suffused with various degrees of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/goose-n-a-bird-that-supplies-quills-for-writing-these-by-some-occult/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [Don't refuse to go on an occasional wild goose chase - that's what wild geese are for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-refuse-to-go-on-an-occasional-wild-goose-chase-that-s-what-wild/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“All the world is young, lad, And all the trees are green; And every goose a swan, lad, And every lass a queen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanie-lang/all-the-world-is-young-lad-and-all-the-trees-are-green-and-every/)

[Jeanie Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanie-lang/)

[Browse all 90 Goose quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goose/)

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