Aquarium Quote by S. J. Perelman
“There is something about a home aquarium which sets my teeth on edge the moment I see it. Why anyone would want to live with a small container of stagnant water populated by a half-dead guppy is beyond me.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1940s, “The Aquarium”
The author finds the idea of living with a tiny, stagnant aquarium unsettling, questioning its appeal and the health of its fish.
In simple terms: Aquariums feel uncomfortable and pointless to the writer.
Key Takeaway
Avoid unnecessary confinement and seek healthier environments.
Themes
discomfort
environment
animal welfare
personal space
confinement
Mood
uneasy
critical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- home décor
- pet ownership
- office spaces
- mental health
- environmental design
Key Concepts
existential critique
aesthetic judgment
human-animal relationship
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a confined space symbolize for you?
- Do you value aesthetics over animal well‑being?
A Different Perspective
The writer may be overgeneralizing personal disgust as universal.
![“Now I can look at you in peace; I don’t eat you anymore. [while admiring fish in an aquarium]” quote by Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cc/franz-kafka-214_peace_now-i-can-look-at-you-in-peace-i-don-t-e_1220947.jpg)
