--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had rather men should ask why my statue…" description: "\"I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.\" — Plutarch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg" --- # I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up… ![“I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg) > “I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often question the existence of a statue rather than its purpose. **In simple terms:** Question why something exists, not just its form. Key Takeaway Consider purpose before criticism. Themes philosophy meaning inquiry Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - art criticism - public monuments - philosophical debate Key Concepts existentialism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What is the purpose of this statue? - How does purpose shape perception? A Different Perspective Statues may have complex histories. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Statue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statue/) ## Related quotes > [I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-porcius-cato/i-would-much-rather-have-men-ask-why-i-have-no-statue-than-why-i-have/) Marcus Porcius Cato > [All in their lifetime carve their own soul's statue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-buchanan-read/all-in-their-lifetime-carve-their-own-soul-s-statue/) [Thomas Buchanan Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-buchanan-read/) > [A statue lies hid in a block of marble, and the art of the statuary only clears away the superfluous matter and removes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-statue-lies-hid-in-a-block-of-marble-and-the-art-of-the-statuary/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [There is a statue of limitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-goldwyn/there-is-a-statue-of-limitation/) [Samuel Goldwyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-goldwyn/) > [There's no hall of fame for that working class hero, no statue carved out of stone. And his greatest reward is the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-jackson/there-s-no-hall-of-fame-for-that-working-class-hero-no-statue-carved/) [Alan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-jackson/) > [Wrap thyself in the decent veil that the arts or the graces weave for thee, O human nature! It is only the statue of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/wrap-thyself-in-the-decent-veil-that-the-arts-or-the-graces-weave-for/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [ The famous statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks Rio de Janeiro is only 130 feet tall. McGuinty's eco-idols \[Wind Turbines\] will be three… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-levant/the-famous-statue-of-christ-the-redeemer-that-overlooks-rio-de/) [Ezra Levant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-levant/) > [I've been to every park in every city and not seen a statue to a committee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/i-ve-been-to-every-park-in-every-city-and-not-seen-a-statue-to-a/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [One day you're the statue. One day you're the pigeon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-sawyer/one-day-you-re-the-statue-one-day-you-re-the-pigeon/) [Diane Sawyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-sawyer/) > [The man who is ostentatious of his modesty is twin to the statue that wears a fig-leaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-man-who-is-ostentatious-of-his-modesty-is-twin-to-the-statue-that/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Wasn't Winston Churchill the first black president of America? There's a statue of him near me... that's black...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-o-hara/wasn-t-winston-churchill-the-first-black-president-of-america-there-s/) Danielle O'Hara > [He was a man of great statue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-menino/he-was-a-man-of-great-statue/) [Thomas Menino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-menino/) > [The more the marble wastes, The more the statue grows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelangelo/the-more-the-marble-wastes-the-more-the-statue-grows/) [Michelangelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelangelo/) > [I tried to go to Kosovo to establish a statue to commemorate those who died during the wars, and to discuss moving on, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivica-dacic/i-tried-to-go-to-kosovo-to-establish-a-statue-to-commemorate-those/) [Ivica Dacic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivica-dacic/) > [I think the Statue of David is pretty sexy. I'd do him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deena-nicole-cortese/i-think-the-statue-of-david-is-pretty-sexy-i-d-do-him/) Deena Nicole Cortese ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plutarch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statue-is-not-set-up-than-why-it-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statue-is-not-set-up-than-why-it-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c6/plutarch-597_asks_i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statu_2143339.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I had rather men should ask why my statue is not set up, than why it is.” — Plutarch", "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": "Plutarch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I had rather men should ask...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statue-is-not-set-up-than-why-it-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-had-rather-men-should-ask-why-my-statue-is-not-set-up-than-why-it-is/#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 } } ] } ```