---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A careless shoe string, in whose tie I…"
description: "\"A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.\" — Robert Herrick"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png"
---

#  A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.

![“A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.” quote by Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png)

> “A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.”

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The line juxtaposes a trivial object (shoe string) with a noble quality (civility), suggesting modest things can reflect refinement.

**In simple terms:** Small things can show great civility.

Key Takeaway

Notice refinement in everyday details.

Themes

humor contradiction refinement

Mood

playful contemplative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- fashion critique
- social etiquette
- creative writing
- art criticism

Key Concepts

symbolism paradox

Questions to Reflect On

- What everyday objects reveal your values?
- How does humor expose social norms?

A Different Perspective

The metaphor may be obscure to modern readers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Careless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careless/) [Careless Shoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careless-shoe-5147986/) [Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civility/) [Cuffs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuffs/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Shoe String](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoe-string-5147985/) [Shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoes/) [String Tie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/string-tie-5147989/) [Strings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strings/) [Tie Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tie-wilde-5147988/) [Ties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ties/) [Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilde/) [Wilde Civility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilde-civility-5147987/)

## Related quotes

> [A SWEET disorder in the dress Kindles in clothes a wantonness : A lawn about the shoulders thrown Into a fine distraction : An…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/a-sweet-disorder-in-the-dress-kindles-in-clothes-a-wantonness-a-lawn-2/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [I check the list. Rubber tubing, gas, saw, gloves, cuffs, razor wire, hatchet, Gladys, and my mitts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-miller/i-check-the-list-rubber-tubing-gas-saw-gloves-cuffs-razor-wire/)

[Frank Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-miller/)

> [Think of Iraq as "East Korea," because it was a shoot the cuffs war for the edification of Kim Jong Il to let him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-miller/think-of-iraq-as-east-korea-because-it-was-a-shoot-the-cuffs-war-for/)

[Dennis Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-miller/)

> [“The officer holstered his weapon, drawing out a set of cuffs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/the-officer-holstered-his-weapon-drawing-out-a-set-of-cuffs/)

[Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/)

> [“jangled. Would you look at that? A pair of open handcuffs dangled from my headboard. The key glistened on the bedside table, reflecting a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-m-reine/jangled-would-you-look-at-that-a-pair-of-open-handcuffs-dangled-from/)

[S.M. Reine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-m-reine/)

> [Don't wear your heart on your sleeve when your remarks are off the cuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-costello/don-t-wear-your-heart-on-your-sleeve-when-your-remarks-are-off-the/)

[Elvis Costello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-costello/)

> [Forget your court date. Lock me away, the world waits. Cuffs cut deep to the bones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-and-kim/forget-your-court-date-lock-me-away-the-world-waits-cuffs-cut-deep-to/)

[Matt And Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-and-kim/)

> [Like a page dipped in ink, your cuff's in my coffee. / You have something to tell with unbuttoned sleeves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-jo-salter/like-a-page-dipped-in-ink-your-cuff-s-in-my-coffee-you-have-something/)

[Mary Jo Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-jo-salter/)

> [I always wanted a father. Any kind. A strict one, a funny one, one who bought me pink dresses, one who wished I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blundell/i-always-wanted-a-father-any-kind-a-strict-one-a-funny-one-one-who/)

[Judy Blundell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blundell/)

> [Songs, and songwriting keeps me inspired, moving forward. I tend to scribble down notes, lyrics or just random thoughts on pieces of paper, backs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waite/songs-and-songwriting-keeps-me-inspired-moving-forward-i-tend-to/)

[John Waite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waite/)

> [Blind Curve,' the book I'm working on now, sprang from a crazy incident that happened to me last year while on my book tour.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-gross/blind-curve-the-book-i-m-working-on-now-sprang-from-a-crazy-incident/)

[Andrew Gross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-gross/)

> [Shane lowered his glasses on his nose and gave me his version of a severe stare. I leaned a little toward Luther. "Is this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/shane-lowered-his-glasses-on-his-nose-and-gave-me-his-version-of-a/)

[Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/)

> [There is an old saying: if a man comes home with sand in his cuffs and cockleburs in his pants, don't ask him what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-snead/there-is-an-old-saying-if-a-man-comes-home-with-sand-in-his-cuffs-and/)

[Sam Snead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-snead/)

> [By a man's finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/by-a-man-s-finger-nails-by-his-coat-sleeve-by-his-boots-by-his/)

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/)

> [My off-the-cuff remarks at the University of Virginia were with regard to global macro traders, who are on-call 24/7 and of whom there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tudor-jones/my-off-the-cuff-remarks-at-the-university-of-virginia-were-with/)

[Paul Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tudor-jones/)

## More by Robert Herrick

> [Love is maintain'd by wealth: when all is spent, Adversity then breeds the discontent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/love-is-maintain-d-by-wealth-when-all-is-spent-adversity-then-breeds/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/it-takes-great-wit-and-interest-and-energy-to-be-happy-the-pursuit-of/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Whatever comes, let's be content withal; Among God's blessings there is not one small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/whatever-comes-let-s-be-content-withal-among-god-s-blessings-there-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/when-a-daffadill-i-see-hanging-down-his-head-towards-me-guess-i-may/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [In ways to greatness think on this, That slippery all ambition is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/in-ways-to-greatness-think-on-this-that-slippery-all-ambition-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [“Have ye beheld (with much delight) A red rose peeping through a white? Or else a cherry (double graced) Within a lily? Centre placed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/have-ye-beheld-with-much-delight-a-red-rose-peeping-through-a-white/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Necessity makes dastards valiant men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/necessity-makes-dastards-valiant-men/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Buying, possessing, accumulating--this is not worldliness. But doing this in the love of it, with no love of God paramount--doing it so that thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/buying-possessing-accumulating-this-is-not-worldliness-but-doing-this/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/tears-are-the-noble-language-of-eyes-and-when-true-love-of-words-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Bid me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be: Or bid me love, and I will give A loving heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/bid-me-to-live-and-i-will-live-thy-protestant-to-be-or-bid-me-love/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [That age is best which is the first When youth and blood are warmer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/that-age-is-best-which-is-the-first-when-youth-and-blood-are-warmer/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs Show me those fleshy principalities; Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/show-me-thy-feet-show-me-thy-legs-thy-thighs-show-me-those-fleshy/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Hast thou attempted greatnesse? Then go on; Back-turning slackens resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/hast-thou-attempted-greatnesse-then-go-on-back-turning-slackens/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Attempt the end and never stand to doubt; Nothing's so hard, but search will find it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/attempt-the-end-and-never-stand-to-doubt-nothing-s-so-hard-but-search/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [The readiness of doing doth expresse No other but the doer's willingnesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-readiness-of-doing-doth-expresse-no-other-but-the-doer-s/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

[Explore all 140 Robert Herrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

## More Careless quotes

> [We Americans tend to be a prodigal lot. We are as careless with our personal resources as we are with the resources of nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-crook-de-camp/we-americans-tend-to-be-a-prodigal-lot-we-are-as-careless-with-our/)

[Catherine Crook de Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-crook-de-camp/)

> [“The rich eat life, the poor eat death; so what is the problem they ask?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/the-rich-eat-life-the-poor-eat-death-so-what-is-the-problem-they-ask/)

[Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/)

> [the greater part of the suffering in the world is caused not by wicked intents and hard hearts, but by the careless desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marah-ellis-ryan/the-greater-part-of-the-suffering-in-the-world-is-caused-not-by/)

[Marah Ellis Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marah-ellis-ryan/)

> [It is the habit of mankind to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/it-is-the-habit-of-mankind-to-entrust-to-careless-hope-what-they-long/)

[Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/)

> [And hast thou sworn on every slight pretence, Till perjuries are common as bad pence, While thousands, careless of the damning sin, Kiss the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/and-hast-thou-sworn-on-every-slight-pretence-till-perjuries-are/)

[William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/)

> [“They are not brave, the days when we are twenty-one. They are full of little cowardices, little fears without foundation, and one is so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/they-are-not-brave-the-days-when-we-are-twenty-one-they-are-full-of/)

[Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/)

> [Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached...let us not rush into God’s presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/sunday-morning-before-we-go-to-hear-the-word-of-god-preached-let-us/)

[J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/)

> [Being carefree, you can fit in anywhere. If you’re not carefree you keep on bumping up against things. Your life becomes so narrow, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsoknyi-rinpoche/being-carefree-you-can-fit-in-anywhere-if-you-re-not-carefree-you/)

[Tsoknyi Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsoknyi-rinpoche/)

> [The paradox of courage is that a man must be a little careless of his life even in order to keep it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-paradox-of-courage-is-that-a-man-must-be-a-little-careless-of-his/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Phaedra shook her head. “If your people mean no offense, they should not speak their thoughts out loud in front of their children, Tesadora.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/phaedra-shook-her-head-if-your-people-mean-no-offense-they-should-not/)

[Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/)

> [Galvanized people can do careless things. It is in the extreme and emotion-laden moments that distance and coolness are most required. I am tempted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/galvanized-people-can-do-careless-things-it-is-in-the-extreme-and/)

[George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/)

> [You don't have to give way to careless speech or complaining. You don't have to let your feelings get in the way of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/you-don-t-have-to-give-way-to-careless-speech-or-complaining-you-don/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [Take good care of the things you have. Careless people spend more for a given standard of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-crook-de-camp/take-good-care-of-the-things-you-have-careless-people-spend-more-for/)

[Catherine Crook de Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-crook-de-camp/)

> [A lot of white men in the music industry are promoting and participating in black culture in a way that is pretty careless. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelela/a-lot-of-white-men-in-the-music-industry-are-promoting-and/)

[Kelela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelela/)

> [That's the wise thrush; he sings each song twice over, lest you should think he never could recapture the first fine careless rapture!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/that-s-the-wise-thrush-he-sings-each-song-twice-over-lest-you-should/)

[Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/)

[Browse all 450 Careless quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/careless/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Herrick"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-see-a-wilde-civility/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Careless"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-see-a-wilde-civility/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d1/robert-herrick-3088_careless_a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-se_2252017.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A careless shoe string, in whose tie I see a wilde civility.” — Robert Herrick",
                "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": "Robert Herrick",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "A careless shoe string, in whose...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-see-a-wilde-civility/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/a-careless-shoe-string-in-whose-tie-i-see-a-wilde-civility/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
