--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An ant can't make a revolution, but a…" description: "\"An ant can't make a revolution, but a monkey can do; because it owns a fist! No real revolution is ever possible without fist.\" — Mehmet Murat Ildan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/mehmet-murat-ildan-3_ants_an-ant-can-t-make-a-revolution-but-a-mon_1322835.jpg" --- # An ant can't make a revolution, but a monkey can do… ![“An ant can't make a revolution, but a monkey can do; because it owns a fist! No real revolution is ever possible without fist.” quote by Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/mehmet-murat-ildan-3_ants_an-ant-can-t-make-a-revolution-but-a-mon_1322835.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/mehmet-murat-ildan-3_ants_an-ant-can-t-make-a-revolution-but-a-mon_1322835.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ed/mehmet-murat-ildan-3_ants_an-ant-can-t-make-a-revolution-but-a-mon_1322835.jpg) > “An ant can't make a revolution, but a monkey can do; because it owns a fist! No real revolution is ever possible without fist.” [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Revolution requires force; a single individual cannot spark it alone, but collective power can. **In simple terms:** Revolution needs collective force. Key Takeaway Build collective strength for change. Themes revolution power collective action Mood critical analytical Type political philosophical When to use this quote - protest movements - grassroots organizing - political campaigns Key Concepts political theory social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Is non‑violent resistance effective? - How can collective power be organized peacefully? A Different Perspective Violent means can undermine moral legitimacy of a cause. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ants/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Fists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fists/) [Make Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-revolution-599510/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Monkey Owns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monkey-owns-4414689/) [Monkeys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monkeys/) [Owns Fist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/owns-fist-4414690/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Revolution Monkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution-monkey-4414688/) [Revolution Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution-possible-3026924/) ## Related quotes > [ If a thousand men were not to pay their tax-bills this year, that would ... \[be\] the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-a-thousand-men-were-not-to-pay-their-tax-bills-this-year-that/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The big problem is that people don't believe a revolution is possible, and it is not possible precisely because they do not believe it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-kaczynski/the-big-problem-is-that-people-don-t-believe-a-revolution-is-possible/) [Theodore Kaczynski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-kaczynski/) > [Elephants don't know anything about the world of ants; the peaks of mountains are oblivious of what is happening on the plains!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/elephants-don-t-know-anything-about-the-world-of-ants-the-peaks-of/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Innovations, free thinking is blowing like a storm; those that stand in front of it, ignorant scholars like you, false scientists, perverse conservatives, obstinate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/innovations-free-thinking-is-blowing-like-a-storm-those-that-stand-in/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [No one can know the infinite importance of a tiny drop of water better than a thirsty bird or a little ant or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/no-one-can-know-the-infinite-importance-of-a-tiny-drop-of-water/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Everything is a hero: A lighthouse which gives light to us; weeds that provide shelter to little insects; a water drop which quenches a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/everything-is-a-hero-a-lighthouse-which-gives-light-to-us-weeds-that/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Ignorant have always the tendency to see the donkey as the noble horse, to see the pig as the lion! Ignore the judgements of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/ignorant-have-always-the-tendency-to-see-the-donkey-as-the-noble/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Man is the ant of the Universe; He is not an important creature, at least at the moment!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/man-is-the-ant-of-the-universe-he-is-not-an-important-creature-at/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [It is curious - but you cannot make a revolution without honest men. ... Every revolution has had its honest men. They are soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/it-is-curious-but-you-cannot-make-a-revolution-without-honest-men/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [“You have to stop this. I don't want to lose you too. If you have to make a revolution, Make a small revolution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-budnitz/you-have-to-stop-this-i-don-t-want-to-lose-you-too-if-you-have-to/) [Judy Budnitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-budnitz/) > [To make the revolution in the United States is a slow day by day job that requires patience and discipline. It is the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/to-make-the-revolution-in-the-united-states-is-a-slow-day-by-day-job/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [Those who are inclined to compromise never make a revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/those-who-are-inclined-to-compromise-never-make-a-revolution/) [Mustafa Kemal Ataturk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mustafa-kemal-ataturk/) > [A good piece of art should make a revolution inside you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shohreh-aghdashloo/a-good-piece-of-art-should-make-a-revolution-inside-you/) [Shohreh Aghdashloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shohreh-aghdashloo/) > [“An SDS radical once wrote, “The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.” In other words the cause - whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-horowitz/an-sds-radical-once-wrote-the-issue-is-never-the-issue-the-issue-is/) [David Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-horowitz/) > [A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/a-great-change-is-at-hand-and-our-task-our-obligation-is-to-make-that/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## More by Mehmet Murat Ildan > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Treat every natural beauty you met as if you see them for the first and last time!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/treat-every-natural-beauty-you-met-as-if-you-see-them-for-the-first/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Via your talents, you can go beyond the limits!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/via-your-talents-you-can-go-beyond-the-limits/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Be the inner journeys, be the outer travels, all trips elevate man, all voyages lift him up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/be-the-inner-journeys-be-the-outer-travels-all-trips-elevate-man-all/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The hardest roads are often empty; the darkest paths are mostly silent; toughest destinations are almost peopleless! No easy road brings you great victory!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-hardest-roads-are-often-empty-the-darkest-paths-are-mostly-silent/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“If there are no stars on the sky, you must try to be happy with the shining streetlights!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-there-are-no-stars-on-the-sky-you-must-try-to-be-happy-with-the/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Even in a remote monastery, you may still be remote from the truth! To find the truth, all you need is a sound way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/even-in-a-remote-monastery-you-may-still-be-remote-from-the-truth-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [History respects revolutions; and yet, if a revolution is progressive, support it; if it is reactionary, resist it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/history-respects-revolutions-and-yet-if-a-revolution-is-progressive/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [If somebody tells you 'History will never forgive you,' just laugh at him! Because when the history comes, you won't be here! The threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-somebody-tells-you-history-will-never-forgive-you-just-laugh-at/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [As long as your curiosity is greater than your fear, you will move forward!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/as-long-as-your-curiosity-is-greater-than-your-fear-you-will-move/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“You can drink your soup ice-cold, but it's no longer soup; you can do eccentric things in life, but if you haven't been able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/you-can-drink-your-soup-ice-cold-but-it-s-no-longer-soup-you-can-do/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Face the truth or the truth will face you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/face-the-truth-or-the-truth-will-face-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Update your belief! If necessary, throw it to the bin! Don’t exaggerate your belief! Remember that your belief is not that much important; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/update-your-belief-if-necessary-throw-it-to-the-bin-don-t-exaggerate/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) [Explore all 4,007 Mehmet Murat Ildan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) ## More Ants quotes > [Some people are like ants. Give them a warm day and a piece of ground and they start digging. There the similarity ends. Ants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-borland/some-people-are-like-ants-give-them-a-warm-day-and-a-piece-of-ground/) [Hal Borland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-borland/) > [Great God of the Ants, thou hast granted victory to thy servants. I appoint thee honorary Colonel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karel-capek/great-god-of-the-ants-thou-hast-granted-victory-to-thy-servants-i/) [Karel Capek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karel-capek/) > [Pray look upon the plants and birds, the ants, spiders, and bees, and you will see them all exerting their nature, and busy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/pray-look-upon-the-plants-and-birds-the-ants-spiders-and-bees-and-you/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [People are like ants: Just a few of them give all the orders. And most of them spend their lives getting squashed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/people-are-like-ants-just-a-few-of-them-give-all-the-orders-and-most/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [“Some people are ants by nature; they have to work, even when it’s useless. Few people have a talent for constructive laziness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/some-people-are-ants-by-nature-they-have-to-work-even-when-it-s/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [There's a good case to be made that having fun is a key evolutionary advantage right next to opposable thumbs in terms of importance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raph-koster/there-s-a-good-case-to-be-made-that-having-fun-is-a-key-evolutionary/) [Raph Koster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raph-koster/) > [“THE FIGHTERS ARE TINY. INSECTS, REALLY. BUT ANTS CAN SLAY AN ELEPHANT, IF THERE ARE ENOUGH OF THEM. ESPECIALLY ANTS ARMED WITH HIGH-YIELD EXPLOSIVES…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amie-kaufman/the-fighters-are-tiny-insects-really-but-ants-can-slay-an-elephant-if/) [Amie Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amie-kaufman/) > [We know of no behavior in ants or any other social insects that can be construed as play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-holldobler/we-know-of-no-behavior-in-ants-or-any-other-social-insects-that-can/) [Bert Holldobler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-holldobler/) > [Oh, ants, my sisters, good old honeydew-seekers! From close up you are sticky and shiny and gristly; and your nymphs have parasitic red mites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-t-vollmann/oh-ants-my-sisters-good-old-honeydew-seekers-from-close-up-you-are/) [William T. Vollmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-t-vollmann/) > [Albert and I would spend hours and hours looking at them. Cleo had this big magnifying glass on his desk, and we'd find centipedes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fannie-flagg/albert-and-i-would-spend-hours-and-hours-looking-at-them-cleo-had/) [Fannie Flagg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fannie-flagg/) > [When someone criticizes or disagrees with you, a small ant of hatred and antagonism is born in your heart. If you do not squash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/when-someone-criticizes-or-disagrees-with-you-a-small-ant-of-hatred/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“Lies are like ants; there's never just one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ash/lies-are-like-ants-there-s-never-just-one/) [Julia Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ash/) > [There's a scientific hypothesis that every person's name is a primary suggestive command that contains the entire script of their life in highly concentrated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-pelevin/there-s-a-scientific-hypothesis-that-every-person-s-name-is-a-primary/) [Victor Pelevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-pelevin/) > [When I was little, I would burn ants with a magnifying glass. But now that I'm older, I'm more of a cat guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/when-i-was-little-i-would-burn-ants-with-a-magnifying-glass-but-now/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [If ants were the size of humans, they would be able to run twice as fast as a Lamborghini.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-ants-were-the-size-of-humans-they-would-be-able-to-run-twice-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 499 Ants quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ants/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "An ant can't make a revolution, but a monkey can do; because it owns a fist! 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