--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: either you get eaten by a wolf today or…" description: "\"“either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd saves you from the wolf so he can sell you to the butcher tomorrow”\" — Ogden Nash" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png" --- # either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd… ![“either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd saves you from the wolf so he can sell you to the butcher tomorrow” quote by Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png) > ““either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd saves you from the wolf so he can sell you to the butcher tomorrow”” [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that immediate danger may be replaced by future exploitation if rescued by those with ulterior motives. **In simple terms:** Rescue can hide hidden costs. Key Takeaway Beware of hidden agendas. Themes trust exploitation survival morality Mood cautious skeptical Type advice warning When to use this quote - business deals - personal relationships - political alliances Key Concepts ethics power dynamics self‑interest Questions to Reflect On - Who might benefit from your rescue? - How do you assess true motives? A Different Perspective Not all saviors act altruistically. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butcher/) [Eaten Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eaten-wolf-1457269/) [Lion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lion/) [Saves Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saves-wolf-3531773/) [Sheep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sheep/) [Shepherd Saves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shepherd-saves-3531772/) [Today Shepherd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today-shepherd-3531771/) [Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wolf/) [Wolf Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wolf-today-3531770/) ## Related quotes > [“The good shepherd saves his sheep.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-good-shepherd-saves-his-sheep/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The modern Little Red Riding Hood, reared on singing commercials, has no objection to being eaten by the wolf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-mcluhan/the-modern-little-red-riding-hood-reared-on-singing-commercials-has/) [Marshall McLuhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-mcluhan/) > [“Cry wolf often enough and you eventually get eaten by the wolf, even if the wolf is you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kidd/cry-wolf-often-enough-and-you-eventually-get-eaten-by-the-wolf-even/) [Kris Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kidd/) > [When I was 4 years old ... I dreamt that I'd been eaten by a wolf, and to my great surprise I was in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/when-i-was-4-years-old-i-dreamt-that-i-d-been-eaten-by-a-wolf-and-to/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“A wolf may be a friend when he has eaten but is a wolf when he is hungry - rjs”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/a-wolf-may-be-a-friend-when-he-has-eaten-but-is-a-wolf-when-he-is/) [rassool jibraeel snyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rassool-jibraeel-snyman/) > [“Wyoming, to Annie, was represented by a blank, bleak space in her imagination. It was a place she could hide. The worst that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-wilson/wyoming-to-annie-was-represented-by-a-blank-bleak-space-in-her/) [Kevin Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-wilson/) > [“The Butcher of Babylon featured in over 500 porn films between 1974 and 1982, and was best known for his motto: Come for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-jackman/the-butcher-of-babylon-featured-in-over-500-porn-films-between-1974/) [Mark Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-jackman/) > [“The same meat, at the same time, from the same butcher. Who always says the same things, unless I say something different. I’ll admit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-same-meat-at-the-same-time-from-the-same-butcher-who-always-says/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/we-look-after-religion-as-the-butcher-did-after-his-knife-when-he-had/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [“He decided to cut it up (using his butcher skills) and deposit the parts all over Brooklyn, apparently thinking police wouldn’t figure out that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-heos/he-decided-to-cut-it-up-using-his-butcher-skills-and-deposit-the/) [Bridget Heos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-heos/) > [I once hosted the Butcher Shop of the Year Awards. There's nothing like performing to the personification of the phrase a 'sausage fest' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-taylor/i-once-hosted-the-butcher-shop-of-the-year-awards-there-s-nothing/) [Ellie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-taylor/) > [Eating from the butcher's slab becoming what they meet. Restrained and roasted while they gorge strapped into the seat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelspit/eating-from-the-butcher-s-slab-becoming-what-they-meet-restrained-and/) [Angelspit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelspit/) > [Since I was 14, I worked more than 13 hours a day as a kitchen runner for a butcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salt-bae/since-i-was-14-i-worked-more-than-13-hours-a-day-as-a-kitchen-runner/) [Salt Bae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salt-bae/) > [William Ewart Gladstone is credited with the credo that a prime minister must be a "good butcher." The metaphor is apt insofar as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-strock/william-ewart-gladstone-is-credited-with-the-credo-that-a-prime/) [James M Strock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-strock/) > [“How can a butcher's son be filthy rich?" Annabelle asked. "Unless the population of London is consuming far more beef and bacon than I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/how-can-a-butcher-s-son-be-filthy-rich-annabelle-asked-unless-the/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## More by Ogden Nash > [There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [The sky is now indelible ink, The branches reft asunder; But you and I we do not shrink; We love the lovely thunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/the-sky-is-now-indelible-ink-the-branches-reft-asunder-but-you-and-i/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Middle-aged life is merry, and I love to lead it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/middle-aged-life-is-merry-and-i-love-to-lead-it/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [When a lady's erotic life is vexed God knows what God is coming next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/when-a-lady-s-erotic-life-is-vexed-god-knows-what-god-is-coming-next/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Love is a word that is constantly heard, Hate is a word that is not. Love, I am told, is more precious that gold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/love-is-a-word-that-is-constantly-heard-hate-is-a-word-that-is-not/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [A husband is a guy who tells you when you've got on too much lipstick and helps you with your girdle when your hips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/a-husband-is-a-guy-who-tells-you-when-you-ve-got-on-too-much-lipstick/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/marriage-is-the-alliance-of-two-people-one-of-whom-never-remembers/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [I claim there ain't Another Saint As great as Valentine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-claim-there-ain-t-another-saint-as-great-as-valentine/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Senescence begins And middle-age ends The day your descendants Outnumber your friends”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/senescence-begins-and-middle-age-ends-the-day-your-descendants/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Poets arent very usefulBecause they aren't consumeful or produceful..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/poets-arent-very-usefulbecause-they-aren-t-consumeful-or-produceful/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [I don't mind their having a lot of money, and I don't care how they employ it, but I do think that they damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-don-t-mind-their-having-a-lot-of-money-and-i-don-t-care-how-they/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [To maintain your marriage brimming, with really like in the wedding cup, anytime you are incorrect, admit it each time you're proper, shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/to-maintain-your-marriage-brimming-with-really-like-in-the-wedding/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [No, you never get any fun Out of the things you haven't done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/no-you-never-get-any-fun-out-of-the-things-you-haven-t-done/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Which the Chicken and Which the Egg? He drinks because she scolds, he thinks; She thinks she scolds because he drinks; And nether will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/which-the-chicken-and-which-the-egg-he-drinks-because-she-scolds-he/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“People can't concentrate properly on blowing other people to pieces if their minds are poisoned by thoughts suitable to the twenty-fifth of December.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/people-can-t-concentrate-properly-on-blowing-other-people-to-pieces/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) [Explore all 261 Ogden Nash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) ## More Butcher quotes > [“How can a butcher's son be filthy rich?" Annabelle asked. "Unless the population of London is consuming far more beef and bacon than I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/how-can-a-butcher-s-son-be-filthy-rich-annabelle-asked-unless-the/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“The same meat, at the same time, from the same butcher. Who always says the same things, unless I say something different. I’ll admit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-same-meat-at-the-same-time-from-the-same-butcher-who-always-says/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [We look after religion as the butcher did after his knife, when he had it in his mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-selden/we-look-after-religion-as-the-butcher-did-after-his-knife-when-he-had/) [John Selden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-selden/) > [Since I was 14, I worked more than 13 hours a day as a kitchen runner for a butcher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salt-bae/since-i-was-14-i-worked-more-than-13-hours-a-day-as-a-kitchen-runner/) [Salt Bae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salt-bae/) > [“The Butcher of Babylon featured in over 500 porn films between 1974 and 1982, and was best known for his motto: Come for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-jackman/the-butcher-of-babylon-featured-in-over-500-porn-films-between-1974/) [Mark Jackman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-jackman/) > [William Ewart Gladstone is credited with the credo that a prime minister must be a "good butcher." The metaphor is apt insofar as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-strock/william-ewart-gladstone-is-credited-with-the-credo-that-a-prime/) [James M Strock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-strock/) > [Eating from the butcher's slab becoming what they meet. Restrained and roasted while they gorge strapped into the seat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelspit/eating-from-the-butcher-s-slab-becoming-what-they-meet-restrained-and/) [Angelspit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelspit/) > [I once hosted the Butcher Shop of the Year Awards. There's nothing like performing to the personification of the phrase a 'sausage fest' to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-taylor/i-once-hosted-the-butcher-shop-of-the-year-awards-there-s-nothing/) [Ellie Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-taylor/) > [“He decided to cut it up (using his butcher skills) and deposit the parts all over Brooklyn, apparently thinking police wouldn’t figure out that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-heos/he-decided-to-cut-it-up-using-his-butcher-skills-and-deposit-the/) [Bridget Heos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-heos/) > [Ill cut you outta my life like a butcher with a knife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/2much4you2touch/ill-cut-you-outta-my-life-like-a-butcher-with-a-knife/) [@2much4you2touch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/2much4you2touch/) > [I was helping my mom grind meat at our butcher shop, and it just hypnotized me. I don't remember sticking my hand in, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tester/i-was-helping-my-mom-grind-meat-at-our-butcher-shop-and-it-just/) [Jon Tester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tester/) > [Why did the butcher divorce his wife? He caught her eating his competitor's meat!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/why-did-the-butcher-divorce-his-wife-he-caught-her-eating-his/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [“The bad news is the butcher’s dead. The good news is there’ll be no need for a funeral, and I’ve got enough meat to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-bad-news-is-the-butcher-s-dead-the-good-news-is-there-ll-be-no/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“I know that everyone in this room, Bernie Fain included, thinks I'm some kind of a nut with my so-called fixation on this vampire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-rice/i-know-that-everyone-in-this-room-bernie-fain-included-thinks-i-m/) [Jeff Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-rice/) > [From the point of view of art, the butcher and the victim are equal as people. You need to see the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/svetlana-alexievich/from-the-point-of-view-of-art-the-butcher-and-the-victim-are-equal-as/) [Svetlana Alexievich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/svetlana-alexievich/) [Browse all 111 Butcher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butcher/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd saves you from the wolf so he can sell you to the butcher tomorrow”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ogden Nash" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or-else-the-shepherd-saves-you/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Butcher" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or-else-the-shepherd-saves-you/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/505/ogden-nash-1286_butcher_either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or_2002638.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“either you get eaten by a wolf today or else the shepherd saves you from the wolf so he can sell you to the…” — Ogden Nash", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ogden Nash", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“either you get eaten by a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or-else-the-shepherd-saves-you/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/either-you-get-eaten-by-a-wolf-today-or-else-the-shepherd-saves-you/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```