--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among…" description: "\"Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be a giant; but among equals, try and be an equal\" — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png" --- # Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be… ![“Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be a giant; but among equals, try and be an equal” quote by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png) > “Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be a giant; but among equals, try and be an equal” [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In any group, aim for balance: not dominating nor being dominated, but being equal. **In simple terms:** Seek equality, not superiority. Key Takeaway Strive for fairness. Themes equality humility social dynamics Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - teamwork - family dynamics - political movements - educational settings Key Concepts philosophy ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you promote equality in your circle? - What challenges arise when trying to be an equal? A Different Perspective Equality can be hard to achieve in hierarchical systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dwarfs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwarfs/) [Dwarfs Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwarfs-try-4344477/) [Dwarves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwarves/) [Equal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equal/) [Equals Try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equals-try-4344478/) [Giant Equals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giant-equals-4344475/) [Giants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giants/) [Try Dwarf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/try-dwarf-4344476/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [A dwarf can stand on a mountain, he's no taller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-dwarf-can-stand-on-a-mountain-he-s-no-taller/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [A stirring dwarf we do allowance give Before a sleeping giant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-stirring-dwarf-we-do-allowance-give-before-a-sleeping-giant/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The insane little dwarf, Bush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-insane-little-dwarf-bush/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [You can be a hunchback and a dwarf and what-all. If you write beautifully, you can write beautifully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-serling/you-can-be-a-hunchback-and-a-dwarf-and-what-all-if-you-write/) [Rod Serling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-serling/) > [Mt. Everest of Earth is 8.8 km tall; Mt. Olympus of Mars is 22 km tall. Every time you see a giant, you must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/mt-everest-of-earth-is-8-8-km-tall-mt-olympus-of-mars-is-22-km-tall/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [If you do something and it proves to be a success, then people go 'get him to do that type of thing again, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-davenport/if-you-do-something-and-it-proves-to-be-a-success-then-people-go-get/) [Jack Davenport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-davenport/) > [I too acknowledge the all-out omnipotence of early culture and nature; hereby we have either a doddered dwarf-bush, or a high-towering, wide-shadowing tree! either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/i-too-acknowledge-the-all-out-omnipotence-of-early-culture-and-nature/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [If the producer doesn't like you, consequently he reads the script with a very negative view. But I wouldn't preoccupy myself with that, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-serling/if-the-producer-doesn-t-like-you-consequently-he-reads-the-script/) [Rod Serling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-serling/) > [It is far better to limit our choice to real permanencies, which do not require staking... and a general mixture throughout of dwarf shrubs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-stuart-thomas/it-is-far-better-to-limit-our-choice-to-real-permanencies-which-do/) [Graham Stuart Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-stuart-thomas/) > ["Another name? Oh, certainly. And when the Faceless Men come to kill me, I'll say, 'No, you have the wrong man, I'm a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/another-name-oh-certainly-and-when-the-faceless-men-come-to-kill-me-i/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [Worry is a mean-faced dwarf who beats on your heart like a kettledrum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brockmeier/worry-is-a-mean-faced-dwarf-who-beats-on-your-heart-like-a-kettledrum/) [Kevin Brockmeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brockmeier/) > [Being a famous writer is a little like being a tall dwarf. You're on the edge of normality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/being-a-famous-writer-is-a-little-like-being-a-tall-dwarf-you-re-on/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [As long as our people quote English standards they dwarf their own proportions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/as-long-as-our-people-quote-english-standards-they-dwarf-their-own/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [For it is a mad world and it will get madder if we allow the minorities, be they dwarf or giant, orangutan or dolphin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/for-it-is-a-mad-world-and-it-will-get-madder-if-we-allow-the/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [We believe that there is one economic lesson which our twentieth century experience has demonstrated conclusively-that America can no more survive and grow without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin-fairless/we-believe-that-there-is-one-economic-lesson-which-our-twentieth/) [Benjamin Franklin Fairless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin-fairless/) ## More by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A sweet thing, perspective - a chance to see your enemies so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-sweet-thing-perspective-a-chance-to-see-your-enemies-so-small/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [The success of Heine -- to become a world-famous 'unknown poet.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/the-success-of-heine-to-become-a-world-famous-unknown-poet/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [What do I believe? I believe in God, if he exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/what-do-i-believe-i-believe-in-god-if-he-exists/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [There are parodies of non-existent things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/there-are-parodies-of-non-existent-things/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Love of one's country recognizes no frontiers... of other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/love-of-one-s-country-recognizes-no-frontiers-of-other-countries/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Illiterates have to dictate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/illiterates-have-to-dictate/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Even the masochists tell everything when tortured. From sheer gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-the-masochists-tell-everything-when-tortured-from-sheer-gratitude/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Many a zero thinks it is the ellipse on which the Earth travels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/many-a-zero-thinks-it-is-the-ellipse-on-which-the-earth-travels/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I don't agree with mathematics; the sum total of zeros is a frightening figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-don-t-agree-with-mathematics-the-sum-total-of-zeros-is-a/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Let him who is without guilt cast the first stone. A trap. Because then he will be no longer without guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/let-him-who-is-without-guilt-cast-the-first-stone-a-trap-because-then/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A fat person lives shorter but eats longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-fat-person-lives-shorter-but-eats-longer/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [An empty envelope that is sealed contains a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/an-empty-envelope-that-is-sealed-contains-a-secret/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Advice to writers: Sometimes you just have to stop writing. Even before you begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/advice-to-writers-sometimes-you-just-have-to-stop-writing-even-before/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I prefer the sign NO ENTRANCE to the sign which says NO EXIT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-prefer-the-sign-no-entrance-to-the-sign-which-says-no-exit/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) [Explore all 128 Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## More Dwarfs quotes > [He had quite liked the dwarfs. He often had no idea what they were talking about, but for a group of homicidal, class-obsessed small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-connolly/he-had-quite-liked-the-dwarfs-he-often-had-no-idea-what-they-were/) [John Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-connolly/) > [A dwarf can stand on a mountain, he's no taller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-dwarf-can-stand-on-a-mountain-he-s-no-taller/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [For it is a mad world and it will get madder if we allow the minorities, be they dwarf or giant, orangutan or dolphin,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/for-it-is-a-mad-world-and-it-will-get-madder-if-we-allow-the/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I do not doubt but the majest and beauty of the world are latent in any iota of the world; I do not doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/i-do-not-doubt-but-the-majest-and-beauty-of-the-world-are-latent-in/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [“Did I offend you?” Lannister said. “Sorry. Dwarfs don’t have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/did-i-offend-you-lannister-said-sorry-dwarfs-don-t-have-to-be-tactful/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Art is gushing hot bile on the fields and harvesting the looks of nasty dwarfs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunter-brus/art-is-gushing-hot-bile-on-the-fields-and-harvesting-the-looks-of/) [Gunter Brus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunter-brus/) > [As long as our people quote English standards they dwarf their own proportions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/as-long-as-our-people-quote-english-standards-they-dwarf-their-own/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Being a famous writer is a little like being a tall dwarf. You're on the edge of normality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/being-a-famous-writer-is-a-little-like-being-a-tall-dwarf-you-re-on/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [“You're our honorary sixth member with mysterious abilities and visions of the future. The Snow White to our motley group of dwarfs. Plus, you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rowen/you-re-our-honorary-sixth-member-with-mysterious-abilities-and/) [Michelle Rowen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rowen/) > [“They are ruby-colored, aren’t they?” he said. “Well, they’re red,” said Magrat. “Is red all right?” “They’ve got to be red.” All the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/they-are-ruby-colored-aren-t-they-he-said-well-they-re-red-said/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Worry is a mean-faced dwarf who beats on your heart like a kettledrum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brockmeier/worry-is-a-mean-faced-dwarf-who-beats-on-your-heart-like-a-kettledrum/) [Kevin Brockmeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brockmeier/) > [Some are dinning in our ears that we Americans, and moderns generally, are intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients, or eventhe Elizabethan men. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/some-are-dinning-in-our-ears-that-we-americans-and-moderns-generally/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-salisbury/we-are-like-dwarfs-sitting-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-we-see-more-and/) [John of Salisbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-salisbury/) > ["Another name? Oh, certainly. And when the Faceless Men come to kill me, I'll say, 'No, you have the wrong man, I'm a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin-2/another-name-oh-certainly-and-when-the-faceless-men-come-to-kill-me-i/) [George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin-2/) > [Whether we're talking about what the role of the government is, what you think of the United Nations, political leaders or how to respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-c-dawson/whether-we-re-talking-about-what-the-role-of-the-government-is-what/) [Michael C Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-c-dawson/) [Browse all 145 Dwarfs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwarfs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be a giant; but among equals, try and be an equal", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dwarfs-try-and-be-a-giant-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dwarfs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dwarfs-try-and-be-a-giant-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/781/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_dwarfs_among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dw_513255.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Among giants, try and be a dwarf; among dwarfs, try and be a giant; but among equals, try and be an equal” — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "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": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Among giants, try and be a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dwarfs-try-and-be-a-giant-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/among-giants-try-and-be-a-dwarf-among-dwarfs-try-and-be-a-giant-but/#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 } } ] } ```