--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People are not born bastards. They have…" description: "\"People are not born bastards. They have to work at it.\" — Rod McKuen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/rod-mckuen-9451_born_people-are-not-born-bastards-they-have-t_2111357.jpg" --- # People are not born bastards. They have to work at it. ![“People are not born bastards. They have to work at it.” quote by Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/rod-mckuen-9451_born_people-are-not-born-bastards-they-have-t_2111357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/rod-mckuen-9451_born_people-are-not-born-bastards-they-have-t_2111357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/rod-mckuen-9451_born_people-are-not-born-bastards-they-have-t_2111357.jpg) > “People are not born bastards. They have to work at it.” [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He suggests that being a “bastard” is not innate; it requires effort to become one. **In simple terms:** Bad behavior is learned. Key Takeaway Avoid cultivating harmful traits. Themes personal responsibility behavior choice Mood reflective cautionary Type poetic philosophical When to use this quote - parenting - education - self‑reflection - social influence Key Concepts psychology ethics literature Questions to Reflect On - What influences negative behavior? - How can we foster positive development? A Different Perspective May oversimplify complex social factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bastards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bastards/) [Bastards Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bastards-work-4264207/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Born Bastards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born-bastards-4264208/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-born/) ## Related quotes > [Some's bastards, some's ain't. That's the score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/some-s-bastards-some-s-ain-t-that-s-the-score/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [They've got us surrounded again, the poor bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-ve-got-us-surrounded-again-the-poor-bastards/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“She should have suspected it. It had taken two heartbeats to note and catalog the man’s details, his tells and ticks. Sweaty, his face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-should-have-suspected-it-it-had-taken-two-heartbeats-to-note-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [We're going to find out who did this and we're going after the bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-hatch/we-re-going-to-find-out-who-did-this-and-we-re-going-after-the/) [Orrin Hatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-hatch/) > [We were'nt nice at all, we were nasty little fucking bastards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-vicious/we-were-nt-nice-at-all-we-were-nasty-little-fucking-bastards/) [Sid Vicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sid-vicious/) > [All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-dwarfs-are-bastards-in-their-father-s-eyes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You’re one cruel bastard,” she managed to get out. He tsked with his tongue. “Everyone says that.” Then he took hold of her chin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianna-hardy/you-re-one-cruel-bastard-she-managed-to-get-out-he-tsked-with-his/) [Dianna Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianna-hardy/) > [“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Don't let the bastards grind you down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/nolite-te-bastardes-carborundorum-don-t-let-the-bastards-grind-you/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I just think Radiohead are f-in' miserable bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/i-just-think-radiohead-are-f-in-miserable-bastards/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [Even the best of us are at least part-time bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-karr/even-the-best-of-us-are-at-least-part-time-bastards/) [Mary Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-karr/) > [“You bastards are on the top of Imperial Lord Auditor Miles Vorkosigan's very own shit list now, you bet. But under what name? Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/you-bastards-are-on-the-top-of-imperial-lord-auditor-miles-vorkosigan/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [UNGRATEFUL BASTARDS WILL ALWAYS BE UNGRATEFUL BECAUSE THAT IS WHO THEY ARE. THEY HAVE MANIPULATING THEIR WAY THROUGH LIFE SINCE BIRTH AND THERE IS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/relentless/ungrateful-bastards-will-always-be-ungrateful-because-that-is-who/) [Relentless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/relentless/) > [“The ones who got away never really get away. Those sick bastards< i>changed us – have their fingerprints all over our lives – and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roni-loren/the-ones-who-got-away-never-really-get-away-those-sick-bastards-i/) [Roni Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roni-loren/) > [“Gentlemen Bastards." hissed Locke, "do not abandon one another, and we do not run when we owe vengeance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/gentlemen-bastards-hissed-locke-do-not-abandon-one-another-and-we-do/) [Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/) > [We are the sons of no one, bastards of young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-koechner/we-are-the-sons-of-no-one-bastards-of-young/) [David Koechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-koechner/) ## More by Rod McKuen > [Even when you feel you've reached the end or edge of life, hold on. Life itself will ultimately take care of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/even-when-you-feel-you-ve-reached-the-end-or-edge-of-life-hold-on/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [It seems to me that it's every man's obligation to make what contribution he can. You live each day as best you can. That,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/it-seems-to-me-that-it-s-every-man-s-obligation-to-make-what/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“How can we be sure of anything the tide changes. The wind that made the grain wave gently yesterday blows down the tress tomorrow.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/how-can-we-be-sure-of-anything-the-tide-changes-the-wind-that-made/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [Love is a sweet thing caught a momentand held in a golden eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/love-is-a-sweet-thing-caught-a-momentand-held-in-a-golden-eye/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [I have never known a cat that couldn't quiet me down just by walking slowly past my chair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/i-have-never-known-a-cat-that-couldn-t-quiet-me-down-just-by-walking/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“I have fallen in love with the world And I am aware that I have chosen the most dangerous lover of them all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-the-world-and-i-am-aware-that-i-have/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [The world needs writers. We will always be necessary. There are few professions that can claim that distinction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/the-world-needs-writers-we-will-always-be-necessary-there-are-few/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“These long years later it is worse for I remember what it was as well as what it might have been.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/these-long-years-later-it-is-worse-for-i-remember-what-it-was-as-well/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [I can't understand people who give up and commit suicide. If I have a bad day, I figure tomorrow will be better. And even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/i-can-t-understand-people-who-give-up-and-commit-suicide-if-i-have-a/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“I went back to look for you. Not understanding the language of hello, I thought I’d speak it just the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/i-went-back-to-look-for-you-not-understanding-the-language-of-hello-i/) [Rod Mckuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“Crowded rooms and lonesome tunes and very little sky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/crowded-rooms-and-lonesome-tunes-and-very-little-sky/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [Be gentle with me, new love. Treat me tenderly. I need the gentle touch, the soft voice, the candlelight after nine. There's been so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/be-gentle-with-me-new-love-treat-me-tenderly-i-need-the-gentle-touch/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“Sometimes I think people were meant to be strangers. Not to get to know one another, not to get close enough to damage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/sometimes-i-think-people-were-meant-to-be-strangers-not-to-get-to/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“Love is a sweet thing caught a moment and held in a golden eye.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/love-is-a-sweet-thing-caught-a-moment-and-held-in-a-golden-eye/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) > [“Theres no misery in not being loved, only in not loving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-mckuen/theres-no-misery-in-not-being-loved-only-in-not-loving/) [Rod McKuen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) [Explore all 72 Rod McKuen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-mckuen/) ## More Bastards quotes > [Some's bastards, some's ain't. That's the score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/some-s-bastards-some-s-ain-t-that-s-the-score/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [“Gentlemen Bastards." hissed Locke, "do not abandon one another, and we do not run when we owe vengeance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-lynch/gentlemen-bastards-hissed-locke-do-not-abandon-one-another-and-we-do/) [Scott Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-lynch/) > [“The ones who got away never really get away. Those sick bastards< i>changed us – have their fingerprints all over our lives – and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roni-loren/the-ones-who-got-away-never-really-get-away-those-sick-bastards-i/) [Roni Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roni-loren/) > [UNGRATEFUL BASTARDS WILL ALWAYS BE UNGRATEFUL BECAUSE THAT IS WHO THEY ARE. THEY HAVE MANIPULATING THEIR WAY THROUGH LIFE SINCE BIRTH AND THERE IS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/relentless/ungrateful-bastards-will-always-be-ungrateful-because-that-is-who/) [Relentless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/relentless/) > [“You bastards are on the top of Imperial Lord Auditor Miles Vorkosigan's very own shit list now, you bet. But under what name? Only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/you-bastards-are-on-the-top-of-imperial-lord-auditor-miles-vorkosigan/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Even the best of us are at least part-time bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-karr/even-the-best-of-us-are-at-least-part-time-bastards/) [Mary Karr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-karr/) > [I just think Radiohead are f-in' miserable bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/i-just-think-radiohead-are-f-in-miserable-bastards/) [Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/) > [“Nolite te bastardes carborundorum. Don't let the bastards grind you down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/nolite-te-bastardes-carborundorum-don-t-let-the-bastards-grind-you/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“You’re one cruel bastard,” she managed to get out. He tsked with his tongue. “Everyone says that.” Then he took hold of her chin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianna-hardy/you-re-one-cruel-bastard-she-managed-to-get-out-he-tsked-with-his/) [Dianna Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianna-hardy/) > [All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-dwarfs-are-bastards-in-their-father-s-eyes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We were'nt nice at all, we were nasty little fucking bastards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-vicious/we-were-nt-nice-at-all-we-were-nasty-little-fucking-bastards/) [Sid Vicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sid-vicious/) > [We're going to find out who did this and we're going after the bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-hatch/we-re-going-to-find-out-who-did-this-and-we-re-going-after-the/) [Orrin Hatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-hatch/) > [“She should have suspected it. It had taken two heartbeats to note and catalog the man’s details, his tells and ticks. Sweaty, his face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-should-have-suspected-it-it-had-taken-two-heartbeats-to-note-and/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [They've got us surrounded again, the poor bastards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-ve-got-us-surrounded-again-the-poor-bastards/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are the sons of no one, bastards of young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-koechner/we-are-the-sons-of-no-one-bastards-of-young/) [David Koechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-koechner/) [Browse all 92 Bastards quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bastards/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "People are not born bastards. 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