--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not…" description: "\"We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven't had any tea for a week... The bottom is out of the Universe.\" — Rudyard Ki..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png" --- # We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it… ![“We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven't had any tea for a week... The bottom is out of the Universe.” quote by Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png) > “We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven't had any tea for a week... The bottom is out of the Universe.” [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Neglecting small problems (the kettle) leads to larger failures (no tea, universe's bottom lost). **In simple terms:** Ignoring minor issues can cause big crises. Key Takeaway Address small problems early. Themes responsibility neglect consequences Mood cautionary thoughtful Type advice reflective When to use this quote - home maintenance - project management - financial oversight - environmental care Key Concepts systems theory cascade effect Questions to Reflect On - What minor issue have you ignored? - How can you prioritize repairs? A Different Perspective Some problems may resolve without intervention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [Week](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/week/) ## Related quotes > [And if candor strikes to forcefully, step back, draw careful breath, and consider the angle your words must take before you open your mouth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/and-if-candor-strikes-to-forcefully-step-back-draw-careful-breath-and/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [We must have infinite faith in each other. If we have not, we must never let it leak out that we have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/we-must-have-infinite-faith-in-each-other-if-we-have-not-we-must/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [After weeks of watching the roof leak I fixed it tonight by moving a single board](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-snyder/after-weeks-of-watching-the-roof-leak-i-fixed-it-tonight-by-moving-a/) [Gary Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-snyder/) > [Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak. Oh! The places you'll go!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/onward-up-many-a-frightening-creek-though-your-arms-may-get-sore-and/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [“First we lay out plastic bags under the leaks and cover them with towels or moving blankets. Then we put a spaghetti pot in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/first-we-lay-out-plastic-bags-under-the-leaks-and-cover-them-with/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [despite all our desperate, eternal attempts to separate, contain and mend, categories always leak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinh-t-minh-ha/despite-all-our-desperate-eternal-attempts-to-separate-contain-and/) [Trinh T. Minh-ha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinh-t-minh-ha/) > [We know there are lots of leaks everywhere. There's nothing we can do about that, except not leak ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/we-know-there-are-lots-of-leaks-everywhere-there-s-nothing-we-can-do/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [This morning of the small snow I count the blessings, the leak in the faucet which makes of the sink time, the drop of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-olson/this-morning-of-the-small-snow-i-count-the-blessings-the-leak-in-the/) [Charles Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-olson/) > [Leaks are not the problem; they are the symptom. They reveal a disconnect between what people want and need to know and what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-brooke/leaks-are-not-the-problem-they-are-the-symptom-they-reveal-a/) [Heather Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-brooke/) > [“Everyone has these leaks, as the poker players call it. A leak is something that drains your income, something that has nothing to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-nicholson/everyone-has-these-leaks-as-the-poker-players-call-it-a-leak-is/) [Scott Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-nicholson/) > [There should be at least one leak like the Pentagon Papers every year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ellsberg/there-should-be-at-least-one-leak-like-the-pentagon-papers-every-year/) [Daniel Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ellsberg/) > [An almost inexorable baseball law: A Red Sox ship with a single leak will always find a way to sink No team is worshipped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-boswell/an-almost-inexorable-baseball-law-a-red-sox-ship-with-a-single-leak/) [Thomas Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-boswell/) > [I'm focused on leaks that hurt the institution of the president and the president himself. I understand we have to leak things to reporters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/i-m-focused-on-leaks-that-hurt-the-institution-of-the-president-and/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [One little leak becomes a lake, Says the tiny voice in my earpiece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/one-little-leak-becomes-a-lake-says-the-tiny-voice-in-my-earpiece/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [You can't control it once you turn it into the label, so there's the expectation that it'll leak a week before the album comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/you-can-t-control-it-once-you-turn-it-into-the-label-so-there-s-the/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) ## More by Rudyard Kipling > [Borrow trouble for yourself, if that's your nature, but don't lend it to your neighbours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/borrow-trouble-for-yourself-if-that-s-your-nature-but-don-t-lend-it/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“I follow the Law—the Most Excellent Law.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/i-follow-the-law-the-most-excellent-law/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/brothers-and-sisters-i-bid-you-beware-of-giving-your-heart-to-a-dog/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [O it's Tommy this, and Tommy that, and Tommy 'ow's your soul/But it's thin red line of heroes when the drums begin to roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/o-it-s-tommy-this-and-tommy-that-and-tommy-ow-s-your-soul-but-it-s/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Believe the best of everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/believe-the-best-of-everybody/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Oh, Adam was a gardener, and God who made him sees That half a proper gardener's work is done upon his knees, So when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/oh-adam-was-a-gardener-and-god-who-made-him-sees-that-half-a-proper/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Adam was a gardener, and God, who made him, sees that half of all good gardening is done upon the knees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/adam-was-a-gardener-and-god-who-made-him-sees-that-half-of-all-good/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [Call a truce, then, to our labors - let us feast with friends and neighbors, and be merry as the custom of our caste;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/call-a-truce-then-to-our-labors-let-us-feast-with-friends-and/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [No one accuses the gunner of maudlin affection for anything except his beasts and his weapons. He serves as least three jealous gods-his horse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/no-one-accuses-the-gunner-of-maudlin-affection-for-anything-except/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“One of these days, Strickland is going to write a little book on his experiences. That book will be worth buying; and even more,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/one-of-these-days-strickland-is-going-to-write-a-little-book-on-his/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Good work does not matter, because a man is judged by his worst output and another man takes all the credit of his best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/good-work-does-not-matter-because-a-man-is-judged-by-his-worst-output/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Those who kill snakes get killed by snakes, said Chuchundra, more sorrowfully than ever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/those-who-kill-snakes-get-killed-by-snakes-said-chuchundra-more/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Like everything else in the world, it is one man's work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/like-everything-else-in-the-world-it-is-one-man-s-work/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Father Wolf looked on amazed. He had almost forgotten the days when he won Mother Wolf in fair fight from five other wolves, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/father-wolf-looked-on-amazed-he-had-almost-forgotten-the-days-when-he/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [If you want something and don't get it, there are only two reasons. You either really didn't want it, or you tried to bargain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/if-you-want-something-and-don-t-get-it-there-are-only-two-reasons-you/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) [Explore all 491 Rudyard Kipling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) ## More Bottom quotes > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Filmmaking, like sex, isn't a polite enterprise. It involves a lot of mess and the bottom line is, if somebody ain't screaming, you're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-woods/filmmaking-like-sex-isn-t-a-polite-enterprise-it-involves-a-lot-of/) [James Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-woods/) > [I was terrible student. I was capable, but I never like being told what to do, so I was always in the bottom class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lilley/i-was-terrible-student-i-was-capable-but-i-never-like-being-told-what/) [Chris Lilley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lilley/) > [The contempt for law and the contempt for the human consequences of lawbreaking go from the bottom to the top of American society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-contempt-for-law-and-the-contempt-for-the-human-consequences-of/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [I plead with my Moonlight fans to give this show a chance if they let me give it a chance. I can’t do Moonlight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-o-loughlin/i-plead-with-my-moonlight-fans-to-give-this-show-a-chance-if-they-let/) [Alex O'Loughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-o-loughlin/) > [Well, the bottom line is that I'm extremely pleased with 'The Stupids.' I'm pleased that it's coming out, and it should look good. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-landis/well-the-bottom-line-is-that-i-m-extremely-pleased-with-the-stupids-i/) [John Landis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-landis/) > [Search for the seed of good in every adversity. Master that principle and you will own a precious shield that will guard you well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/search-for-the-seed-of-good-in-every-adversity-master-that-principle/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [I would have had a clause in my contract; I would've definitely put some fine print in my contract that said, "If the president…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-budden/i-would-have-had-a-clause-in-my-contract-i-would-ve-definitely-put/) [Joe Budden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-budden/) > [Of course the Dharma-body of the Buddha was the hedge at the bottom of the garden. At the same time, and no less obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/of-course-the-dharma-body-of-the-buddha-was-the-hedge-at-the-bottom/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [When I hit bottom, I can attack the problem and get to where I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/when-i-hit-bottom-i-can-attack-the-problem-and-get-to-where-i-want-to/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The bottom line, in the professional level, no matter where you go, there's going to be competition. That's what it is. At the end…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-tolzien/the-bottom-line-in-the-professional-level-no-matter-where-you-go/) [Scott Tolzien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-tolzien/) > [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-garagiola/one-thing-you-learned-as-a-cubs-fan-when-you-bought-you-ticket-you/) [Joe Garagiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-garagiola/) > [The political satirist usually votes against their own interests, but the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizz-winstead/the-political-satirist-usually-votes-against-their-own-interests-but/) [Lizz Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizz-winstead/) Browse all 2,558 Bottom quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven't had any tea for a week... The bottom is out of the Universe.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rudyard Kipling" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-repairing-made-it-worse-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bottom" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-repairing-made-it-worse-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/rudyard-kipling-527_bottom_we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-r_487200.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We had a kettle; we let it leak: Our not repairing made it worse. We haven't had any tea for a week... The…” — Rudyard Kipling", "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": "Rudyard Kipling", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We had a kettle; we let...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-repairing-made-it-worse-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/we-had-a-kettle-we-let-it-leak-our-not-repairing-made-it-worse-we/#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 } } ] } ```