--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They pushed and pushed for so long. They…" description: "\"“They pushed and pushed for so long. They knew I was something dangerous, something different. Sooner or later, they had to know I would snap and come ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/pierce-brown-1011_alexander_they-pushed-and-pushed-for-so-long-they_2875634.jpg" --- # They pushed and pushed for so long. They knew I was… ![“They pushed and pushed for so long. They knew I was something dangerous, something different. Sooner or later, they had to know I would snap and come to cut them down. Or perhaps they think I'm still a child. The fools. Alexander was a child when he ruined his first nation.” quote by Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/pierce-brown-1011_alexander_they-pushed-and-pushed-for-so-long-they_2875634.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/pierce-brown-1011_alexander_they-pushed-and-pushed-for-so-long-they_2875634.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f74/pierce-brown-1011_alexander_they-pushed-and-pushed-for-so-long-they_2875634.jpg) > ““They pushed and pushed for so long. They knew I was something dangerous, something different. Sooner or later, they had to know I would snap and come to cut them down. Or perhaps they think I'm still a child. The fools. Alexander was a child when he ruined his first nation.”” [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The protagonist is seen as dangerous and different, forced to confront oppression and expectations, reflecting on power dynamics and youthful rebellion. **In simple terms:** Protagonist seen as dangerous, forced to rebel. Key Takeaway Embrace identity despite external labels. Themes rebellion identity power youth Mood defiant hopeful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - activism - personal growth - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts dystopia character development social critique Questions to Reflect On - How does labeling affect self-perception? - What can youth teach about challenging entrenched power? A Different Perspective Labeling as dangerous can oversimplify motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darrow/) [Red-rising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red-rising/) [Sooner or later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sooner-or-later/) ## Related quotes > [“Or perhaps they think I’m still a child. The fools. Alexander was a child when he ruined his first nation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/or-perhaps-they-think-i-m-still-a-child-the-fools-alexander-was-a/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“ 'Found the sheep too easy to kill?' I ask. 'Where'd you get the weapon?' 'Born with them.' His fingernails are bloody.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/found-the-sheep-too-easy-to-kill-i-ask-where-d-you-get-the-weapon/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“All my people sing of are memories. And so I will remember this death. It will burden me as it does not burden my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/all-my-people-sing-of-are-memories-and-so-i-will-remember-this-death/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“I live for the dream that my children will be born free. That they will be what they like. That they will own the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-live-for-the-dream-that-my-children-will-be-born-free-that-they/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Omnis vir lupus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/omnis-vir-lupus/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“ 'I killed their pack leader,' Sevro says when I ask why the wolves follow him. He looks me up and down and flashes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-killed-their-pack-leader-sevro-says-when-i-ask-why-the-wolves/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“I stand over them and cock my head. 'Is this the first time you've lost at something?' No answer. I frown. 'Well, that must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-stand-over-them-and-cock-my-head-is-this-the-first-time-you-ve-lost/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“... You have to pull the feet to break the neck. They let the loved ones do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/you-have-to-pull-the-feet-to-break-the-neck-they-let-the-loved-ones/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“That is the point of all this. To make you terrified of a world where you do not rule. Security and justice aren’t given.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/that-is-the-point-of-all-this-to-make-you-terrified-of-a-world-where/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“You have made me give up the hair Father gave me, the eyes Mother left me, the Color I was born to, so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/you-have-made-me-give-up-the-hair-father-gave-me-the-eyes-mother-left/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“This is a trap I cannot ride away from. I guess there are those times in life. It's like staring at the ground as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/this-is-a-trap-i-cannot-ride-away-from-i-guess-there-are-those-times/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“You do not follow me because I am the strongest. Pax is. You do not follow me because I am the brightest. Mustang is.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/you-do-not-follow-me-because-i-am-the-strongest-pax-is-you-do-not/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“I see why Demokracy is illegal. First comes yelling. Frustration. Indecision. Disagreements. Ideas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-see-why-demokracy-is-illegal-first-comes-yelling-frustration/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“The Gray soldiers prowl the cities ensuring order, ensuring obedience to the hierarchy. The Whites arbitrate their justice and push their philosophy. Pinks pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/the-gray-soldiers-prowl-the-cities-ensuring-order-ensuring-obedience/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“ 'And now I Carve the things I saw in my fever dreams, just as they always wished. I dreamed of you, I think.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/and-now-i-carve-the-things-i-saw-in-my-fever-dreams-just-as-they/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## More by Pierce Brown > [“Where did you hear that song?" I ask her without sitting up. "From the HC," she says, blushing. "A little girl sang it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/where-did-you-hear-that-song-i-ask-her-without-sitting-up-from-the-hc/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Men call him father, liberator, warlord, Slave King, Reaper. But he feels a boy as he falls toward the war-torn planet, his armor red,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/men-call-him-father-liberator-warlord-slave-king-reaper-but-he-feels/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Even the cruel feel pain. And even the cruel can change. I hope this changes him. He could do so much, if only he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/even-the-cruel-feel-pain-and-even-the-cruel-can-change-i-hope-this/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“The floor is made of condensed air, so we are suspended above a mile vertical drop.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/the-floor-is-made-of-condensed-air-so-we-are-suspended-above-a-mile/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“She said she would protect us…” I whisper. “Who?” “The Sovereign…” He’s silent for a long moment. “I know it may be impossible to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/she-said-she-would-protect-us-i-whisper-who-the-sovereign-he-s-silent/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“can nearly smell the pencil-shaving scent of him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/can-nearly-smell-the-pencil-shaving-scent-of-him/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Sometimes, little one, it’s best if the worlds think you a little mad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/sometimes-little-one-it-s-best-if-the-worlds-think-you-a-little-mad/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Snorting, Sevro drops back to where the legendary Obsidian, Sefi Volarus, stands in her customary silence. He feigns an air of domesticity, but next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/snorting-sevro-drops-back-to-where-the-legendary-obsidian-sefi/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“And now that her dream has spread, he wonders if she would recognize it. And he wonders too if he were to die today,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/and-now-that-her-dream-has-spread-he-wonders-if-she-would-recognize/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“ 'And now I Carve the things I saw in my fever dreams, just as they always wished. I dreamed of you, I think.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/and-now-i-carve-the-things-i-saw-in-my-fever-dreams-just-as-they/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“All wounds heal. Even these." "That's a lie." I tell him. I'll never be healed of Eo. That pain will last forever. "Some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/all-wounds-heal-even-these-that-s-a-lie-i-tell-him-i-ll-never-be/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“I'm a sheep wearing wolves' clothing in a pack of wolves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/i-m-a-sheep-wearing-wolves-clothing-in-a-pack-of-wolves/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“Sevro…are you going to be civil?” He shrugs. “Good enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/sevro-are-you-going-to-be-civil-he-shrugs-good-enough/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“New’ generally means someone’s just trying to make money off something old.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/new-generally-means-someone-s-just-trying-to-make-money-off-something/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) > [“WE HURTLE LIKE A black thunderbolt over a pale waste of silicate dust and sulfur dioxide frost in a starship adorned with electric dragons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brown/we-hurtle-like-a-black-thunderbolt-over-a-pale-waste-of-silicate-dust/) [Pierce Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) [Explore all 307 Pierce Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brown/) ## More Alexander quotes > [I actually sat down and started three Alexanders at the same time. Two of them went in the trash and got stomped on because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-viorst/i-actually-sat-down-and-started-three-alexanders-at-the-same-time-two/) [Judith Viorst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-viorst/) > [Homer, Hesiod, Pythagoras, Plato, and Cicero, just to name a few, all lived in pagan societies. Some of the greatest political and military leaders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-myers/homer-hesiod-pythagoras-plato-and-cicero-just-to-name-a-few-all-lived/) [Brendan Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-myers/) > [Life is life, Girls are girls and boys are boys, they change here and there.. BUT ALEXANDER remains the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asking-alexander/life-is-life-girls-are-girls-and-boys-are-boys-they-change-here-and/) Asking Alexander > [“I am acting, then," continued Alexander, "only on the defensive. The gods, who always favor the right, have given me the victory. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-abbott/i-am-acting-then-continued-alexander-only-on-the-defensive-the-gods/) [Jacob Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-abbott/) > [Lucius Cassius ille quem populus Romanus verissimum et sapientissimum iudicem putabat identidem in causis quaerere solebat 'cui bono' fuisset. The famous Lucius Cassius, whom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/lucius-cassius-ille-quem-populus-romanus-verissimum-et-sapientissimum/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“That valiant Macedonian supreme commander and emperor Alexander, in his thirties and the future Indian captain-general and emperor Chandragupta just on the threshold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savarkar/that-valiant-macedonian-supreme-commander-and-emperor-alexander-in/) Savarkar > [“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/alexander-the-coppersmith-did-me-great-harm-the-lord-will-repay-him/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“When Alexander saw the depth of his empire he wept for there were no more worlds to concquer. Benefits of a classical education.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-gruber/when-alexander-saw-the-depth-of-his-empire-he-wept-for-there-were-no/) Hans Gruber > [“Annabeth nodded. "That's right.Alexander conquered Egypt.After he died, his general Ptolemy took over. He wanted the Egyptians to accept him as their pharaoh, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/annabeth-nodded-that-s-right-alexander-conquered-egypt-after-he-died/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“As Alexander would confess years later, sex and sleep more than anything else reminded him that he was mortal. One”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-freeman/as-alexander-would-confess-years-later-sex-and-sleep-more-than/) [Philip Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-freeman/) > [I'm a London girl, so I grew up on Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood... Dior, Chanel, the usual suspects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-dormer/i-m-a-london-girl-so-i-grew-up-on-alexander-mcqueen-and-vivienne/) [Natalie Dormer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-dormer/) > [When I did 'Racing Demon' by David Hare, I worked with Paul Giamatti, who had stacks of books in his dressing room. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-o-hare/when-i-did-racing-demon-by-david-hare-i-worked-with-paul-giamatti-who/) [Denis O'Hare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-o-hare/) > [Alexander III of Macedon is known as Alexander the Great because he killed more people of more different kinds than any other man of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/alexander-iii-of-macedon-is-known-as-alexander-the-great-because-he/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“Alexander's mere name and the fame of his feats raised rulers and realms across virtually the whole world. And those who kept control of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-chugg/alexander-s-mere-name-and-the-fame-of-his-feats-raised-rulers-and/) [Andrew Chugg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-chugg/) > [Where did he go!” he bellowed, gloved hands clenching. “I had him in a snare that would take Alexander the Great a lifetime to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/where-did-he-go-he-bellowed-gloved-hands-clenching-i-had-him-in-a/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) Browse all 230 Alexander quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“They pushed and pushed for so long. They knew I was something dangerous, something different. Sooner or later, they had to know I would snap and come to cut them down. Or perhaps they think I'm still a child. The fools. 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