--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Peter hesitates. \"Ridiculous\" is the…" description: "\"“Peter hesitates. \"Ridiculous\" is the least of it. How about offensive, insulting? How about the implication that \"someone who's never used\" is a sad a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/michael-cunningham-1120_first-place_peter-hesitates-ridiculous-is-the-least_1244078.png" --- # Peter hesitates. "Ridiculous" is the least of it. How… ![“Peter hesitates. "Ridiculous" is the least of it. How about offensive, insulting? How about the implication that "someone who's never used" is a sad and small figure, standing on the platform, sensibly dressed, as the bus pulls in? Even now, after all those ad campaigns, after all we've learned…” quote by Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/michael-cunningham-1120_first-place_peter-hesitates-ridiculous-is-the-least_1244078.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/michael-cunningham-1120_first-place_peter-hesitates-ridiculous-is-the-least_1244078.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/michael-cunningham-1120_first-place_peter-hesitates-ridiculous-is-the-least_1244078.png) > ““Peter hesitates. "Ridiculous" is the least of it. How about offensive, insulting? How about the implication that "someone who's never used" is a sad and small figure, standing on the platform, sensibly dressed, as the bus pulls in? Even now, after all those ad campaigns, after all we've learned about how bad it really and truly gets, there is the glamour of self-destruction, imperishable, gem-hard, like some cursed ancient talisman that cannot be destroyed by any known means. Still, still, the ones who go down can seem as if they're more complicatedly, more dangerously attuned to the sadness and, yes, the impossible grandeur. They're romantic, goddamn them; we just can't get it up in quite the same way for the sober and sensible, the dogged achievers, for all the good they do. We don't adore them with the exquisite disdain we can bring to the addicts and miscreants. It helps, of course - let's not get carried away - if you're a young prince like Mizzy, and you've actually got something of value to destroy in the first place.”” [Michael Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cunningham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques society’s romanticization of self‑destructive, rebellious figures while marginalizing sober, responsible achievers, highlighting a paradox in admiration and disdain. **In simple terms:** People glorify reckless rebels, ignore steady achievers. Key Takeaway Recognize value in steady effort. Themes romanticism rebellion societal values adulation self‑destruction Mood conflicted critical thoughtful Type analysis commentary philosophical When to use this quote - media analysis - personal reflection - educational discussion - creative writing - counseling Key Concepts cultural critique psychology identity hero worship Questions to Reflect On - Why do we find destructive personalities compelling? - How can we better honor responsible achievement? A Different Perspective Romanticizing self‑destruction can glorify harmful behavior and overlook healthier role models. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) ## Related quotes > [It seems to me it's perfectly possible to vehemently disagree with a piece of work and to say that it's offensive and insulting and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/it-seems-to-me-it-s-perfectly-possible-to-vehemently-disagree-with-a/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [Somebody saying something offensive to you or insulting to you is not pleasant, but it's part of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megyn-kelly/somebody-saying-something-offensive-to-you-or-insulting-to-you-is-not-2/) [Megyn Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megyn-kelly/) > [Eddie Murphy said once in an interview that nothing is offensive if it's funny. 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