--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he…" description: "\"“Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he said to draw her eyes back to this. 'No. I find them quite - admirable, in fact.' 'How so?' She gave him a f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbd/meredith-duran-2968_quote_rather-stupid-creatures-aren-t-they-he-s_1513818.jpg" --- # Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he said to draw her… ![“Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he said to draw her eyes back to this. 'No. I find them quite - admirable, in fact.' 'How so?' She gave him a frown, as though doubting the sincerity of his interest. The hesitance was new to her, and it grated him, for it suggested an unpleasant history…” quote by Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbd/meredith-duran-2968_quote_rather-stupid-creatures-aren-t-they-he-s_1513818.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbd/meredith-duran-2968_quote_rather-stupid-creatures-aren-t-they-he-s_1513818.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bbd/meredith-duran-2968_quote_rather-stupid-creatures-aren-t-they-he-s_1513818.jpg) > ““Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he said to draw her eyes back to this. 'No. I find them quite - admirable, in fact.' 'How so?' She gave him a frown, as though doubting the sincerity of his interest. The hesitance was new to her, and it grated him, for it suggested an unpleasant history - one in which her youthful confidence had been eroded, gradually, by men who took no interest in her thoughts. 'Go on,' he said. 'Do you mean to follow Mandeville, and argue that bees show how self-interest and vice might profit the world?' She laughed. 'Oh, no. I was thinking far less philosophically. Besides, Mandeville wrongs the poor bees in his verse. They are quite Christian in their industry, don't you think? Unceasing in their duties. And yet - one cannot say their docility signifies stupidity, or any dullness of sentiment. When one of their own is threatened, they rouse in unison to defend him. Even the lowliest drone might count on his brethren's support, and I think - I think there is great virtue, great comfort, in such brotherhood.' \[...\] 'You are no drone, Nora. And unthinking loyalty is no virtue by my account.' Her mouth flattened. She locked eyes with him for a hard second. 'Do not imagine my loyalty is unthinking.”” [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dialogue explores the tension between blind loyalty and thoughtful support, using bees as a metaphor for cooperative strength and individual agency. **In simple terms:** Loyalty should be thoughtful, not blind. Key Takeaway Question why you follow without thinking. Themes trust cooperation individuality Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical conversational When to use this quote - friendship - romantic tension - ethical decision making Key Concepts social contract collective action philosophical metaphor Questions to Reflect On - Do you ever support someone without questioning? - How can you balance loyalty with independence? A Different Perspective Blind loyalty can suppress personal growth and critical thought. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“The birds screeched and continued to dive at us. One of them settled on a nearby branch and began berating us. 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'\*Sir\*? I say, Lyd. Are you always so formal with men you've made love with?' The whip of her head caused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/speak-plainly-sir-sir-i-say-lyd-are-you-always-so-formal-with-men-you/) [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) > [“The flesh was weak, but it was not dumb. It had its own animal intelligence. In her husband's bed her body had felt like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/the-flesh-was-weak-but-it-was-not-dumb-it-had-its-own-animal/) [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) > [“After a long moment, the Countess sat back down. "So," she said. "You … do love her. I must say, you look peculiarly resigned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/after-a-long-moment-the-countess-sat-back-down-so-she-said-you-do/) [Meredith Duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) > [“His arms banded about her so tightly that she felt nothing could break his hold. It calmed something in her that had been trembling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-duran/his-arms-banded-about-her-so-tightly-that-she-felt-nothing-could/) [meredith duran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) [Explore all 143 Meredith Duran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-duran/) ## More Stupid Creatures quotes > [“The birds screeched and continued to dive at us. One of them settled on a nearby branch and began berating us. I stopped in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-day-george/the-birds-screeched-and-continued-to-dive-at-us-one-of-them-settled/) [Jessica Day George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-day-george/) Browse all 2 Stupid Creatures quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Rather stupid creatures, aren't they?' he said to draw her eyes back to this. 'No. I find them quite - admirable, in fact.' 'How so?' She gave him a frown, as though doubting the sincerity of his interest. The hesitance was new to her, and it grated him, for it suggested an unpleasant history - one in which her youthful confidence had been eroded, gradually, by men who took no interest in her thoughts. 'Go on,' he said. 'Do you mean to follow Mandeville, and argue that bees show how self-interest and vice might profit the world?' She laughed. 'Oh, no. I was thinking far less philosophically. Besides, Mandeville wrongs the poor bees in his verse. They are quite Christian in their industry, don't you think? Unceasing in their duties. And yet - one cannot say their docility signifies stupidity, or any dullness of sentiment. When one of their own is threatened, they rouse in unison to defend him. Even the lowliest drone might count on his brethren's support, and I think - I think there is great virtue, great comfort, in such brotherhood.' [...] 'You are no drone, Nora. And unthinking loyalty is no virtue by my account.' 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