--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When smashing monuments, save the…" description: "\"When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always come in handy.\" — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png" --- # When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always… ![“When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always come in handy.” quote by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png) > “When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always come in handy.” [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. Preserve the foundations of what you critique, as they may become useful later. **In simple terms:** Keep the base useful even when destroying the rest. Key Takeaway Save the underlying structure. Themes critical thinking humor strategy Mood witty cautionary Type satirical philosophical When to use this quote - activism - urban planning - software refactoring - cultural critique Key Concepts paradoxical wisdom resourcefulness Questions to Reflect On - When might you need the old foundation? - What risks arise from keeping remnants? A Different Perspective Sometimes the base is also part of the problem. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Monuments Save](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monuments-save-6121842/) [Pedestals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pedestals-238809/) [Pedestals Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pedestals-come-6121845/) [Save Pedestals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-pedestals-6121844/) [Smashing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smashing/) [Smashing Monuments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smashing-monuments-6121843/) ## Related quotes > [“The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when men discovered we can better shout orders from there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-grable/the-practice-of-putting-women-on-pedestals-began-to-die-out-when-men/) [Betty Grable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-grable/) > [I don't particularly like showing furniture on pedestals, but for whatever reasons you always have to in museums.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zaha-hadid/i-don-t-particularly-like-showing-furniture-on-pedestals-but-for/) [Zaha Hadid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zaha-hadid/) > [Don't put your heroes on pedestals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-fuchs/don-t-put-your-heroes-on-pedestals/) [Jackie Fuchs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-fuchs/) > [The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-grable/the-practice-of-putting-women-on-pedestals-began-to-die-out-when-it-2/) [Betty Grable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-grable/) > [If you put people up on pedestals, there's only one way for them to go, and that is down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-bond/if-you-put-people-up-on-pedestals-there-s-only-one-way-for-them-to-go/) [Samantha Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-bond/) > [“Sometimes, I think... people we put on pedestals... they've got that much further to fall when you realize they're human.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sheehan-miles/sometimes-i-think-people-we-put-on-pedestals-they-ve-got-that-much/) [Charles Sheehan-Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sheehan-miles/) > [We have to put people on pedestals; otherwise, there's no one to knock off pedestals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-devlin/we-have-to-put-people-on-pedestals-otherwise-there-s-no-one-to-knock/) [Dean Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-devlin/) > [“The steps were flanked by a pair of low pedestals, on which were mounted two giant cats carved out of some dark, polished material.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-setterfield/the-steps-were-flanked-by-a-pair-of-low-pedestals-on-which-were/) [Diane Setterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-setterfield/) > [Pedestals are always lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myrtle-reed/pedestals-are-always-lonely/) [Myrtle Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myrtle-reed/) > [The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give better orders from there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-grable/the-practice-of-putting-women-on-pedestals-began-to-die-out-when-it/) [Betty Grable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-grable/) > [I was flying right toward him (the pig) at the speed of demigod-smashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-was-flying-right-toward-him-the-pig-at-the-speed-of-demigod-smashing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I remember my parents yelling at each other and at me from an early age, and I remember a lot of things smashing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-diamond/i-remember-my-parents-yelling-at-each-other-and-at-me-from-an-early/) [Jason Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-diamond/) > [I never wanted to leave the Smashing Pumpkins. That was never the plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/i-never-wanted-to-leave-the-smashing-pumpkins-that-was-never-the-plan/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [There were so many Pittsburgh poets in my hallway that if, at that instant, a meteorite had come smashing through my roof, there would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/there-were-so-many-pittsburgh-poets-in-my-hallway-that-if-at-that/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) ## 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 Smashing quotes > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [There were so many Pittsburgh poets in my hallway that if, at that instant, a meteorite had come smashing through my roof, there would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/there-were-so-many-pittsburgh-poets-in-my-hallway-that-if-at-that/) [Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/) > [I never wanted to leave the Smashing Pumpkins. That was never the plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-corgan/i-never-wanted-to-leave-the-smashing-pumpkins-that-was-never-the-plan/) [Billy Corgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-corgan/) > [I remember my parents yelling at each other and at me from an early age, and I remember a lot of things smashing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-diamond/i-remember-my-parents-yelling-at-each-other-and-at-me-from-an-early/) [Jason Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-diamond/) > [I was flying right toward him (the pig) at the speed of demigod-smashing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-was-flying-right-toward-him-the-pig-at-the-speed-of-demigod-smashing/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I loved Japan. I used to read a lot about it when I was a child. And I always wanted to go. And it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-connolly/i-loved-japan-i-used-to-read-a-lot-about-it-when-i-was-a-child-and-i/) [Billy Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-connolly/) > [In some ways, Trump is just going to continue the trend: by continuing the norm-smashing behaviour that Republicans used in opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-chait/in-some-ways-trump-is-just-going-to-continue-the-trend-by-continuing/) [Jonathan Chait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-chait/) > [ With almost no time to decide, \[your loved ones\] gave the entire country an incalculable gift. They saved the Capitol from attack. They saved… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/with-almost-no-time-to-decide-your-loved-ones-gave-the-entire-country/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [When I lived in New York, there wasn't as much TV or film around. I got asked to do a couple of indie films,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-iha/when-i-lived-in-new-york-there-wasn-t-as-much-tv-or-film-around-i-got/) [James Iha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-iha/) > [Never angrily rant into your web cam. While smashing a keyboard in half over a game of 'World of Warcraft' may seem totally justified…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-william-johnson/never-angrily-rant-into-your-web-cam-while-smashing-a-keyboard-in/) [Ray William Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-william-johnson/) > [I learned how to play guitar by playing along to Jane's Addiction records and Smashing Pumpkins records, things you can totally hear if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chino-moreno/i-learned-how-to-play-guitar-by-playing-along-to-jane-s-addiction/) [Chino Moreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chino-moreno/) > [And he felt himself oppressed by this creation of factitious purity, so cunningly manufactured by a conspiracy of mothers and aunts and grandmothers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/and-he-felt-himself-oppressed-by-this-creation-of-factitious-purity/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [It was smashing working with Jerry Desmonde, he was a very nice chap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-wisdom/it-was-smashing-working-with-jerry-desmonde-he-was-a-very-nice-chap/) [Norman Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-wisdom/) > [In orthodox film-making, you never shoot sequentially - but with improv, obviously every move you make has a knock-on effect; it is a cumulative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saffron-burrows/in-orthodox-film-making-you-never-shoot-sequentially-but-with-improv/) [Saffron Burrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saffron-burrows/) > [With great difficulty advancing by millimeters each year, I carve a road out of the rock. For millenniums my teeth have wasted and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/with-great-difficulty-advancing-by-millimeters-each-year-i-carve-a/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) [Browse all 119 Smashing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smashing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always come in handy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedestals-they-always-come-in-handy/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Smashing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedestals-they-always-come-in-handy/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a85/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_smashing_when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedesta_2420052.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they always come in handy.” — 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": "When smashing monuments, save the pedestals-they...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedestals-they-always-come-in-handy/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/when-smashing-monuments-save-the-pedestals-they-always-come-in-handy/#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 } } ] } ```