--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't…" description: "\"But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet. (telling Gator fans that a fire at Auburn's football dorm had destroyed 20 books\" — Steve Spu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/steve-spurrier-16070_auburn_but-the-real-tragedy-was-that-15-hadn-t_3064435.jpg" --- # But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet… ![“But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet. (telling Gator fans that a fire at Auburn's football dorm had destroyed 20 books” quote by Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/steve-spurrier-16070_auburn_but-the-real-tragedy-was-that-15-hadn-t_3064435.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/steve-spurrier-16070_auburn_but-the-real-tragedy-was-that-15-hadn-t_3064435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/steve-spurrier-16070_auburn_but-the-real-tragedy-was-that-15-hadn-t_3064435.jpg) > “But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet. (telling Gator fans that a fire at Auburn's football dorm had destroyed 20 books” [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He comments on a tragedy that a fire destroyed books before they were colored, highlighting loss of potential. **In simple terms:** A fire destroyed uncolored books, a lost tragedy. Key Takeaway Preserve and protect creative works. Themes loss tragedy potential Mood somber thoughtful Type historical reflective When to use this quote - library archives - artistic creation Key Concepts censorship historical preservation Questions to Reflect On - What value do unfinished works hold? - How can we prevent such losses? A Different Perspective The anecdote may be metaphorical rather than factual. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Auburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/auburn/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Destroyed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyed/) [Destroyed 20](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroyed-20-5154215/) [Dorm Destroyed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dorm-destroyed-5154217/) [Dorms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dorms/) [Fans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fans/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Gators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gators/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-tragedy-868460/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Tragedy 15](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy-15-5154216/) ## Related quotes > [But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/but-the-real-tragedy-was-that-15-hadn-t-been-colored-yet/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [A swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/a-swamp-is-where-gators-live-we-feel-comfortable-there-but-we-hope/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [Yes, there was music after all. The sound of the swamp rose up to him. The sound of frogs and crickets, of birds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/yes-there-was-music-after-all-the-sound-of-the-swamp-rose-up-to-him/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“My dad mumbled something unintelligible. "Woo!" Emmett suddenly boomed in his deep bass. "Go Gators!" Jacob and Charlie jumped. The rest of us froze.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/my-dad-mumbled-something-unintelligible-woo-emmett-suddenly-boomed-in/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [Why do I have to do this?" Gator demanded. Cuz you're such a pretty boy. Our photographer isn't going to fall for one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/why-do-i-have-to-do-this-gator-demanded-cuz-you-re-such-a-pretty-boy/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [When you grow up in Florida, it really is like its own country. You don't realize the world does not operate like how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doechii/when-you-grow-up-in-florida-it-really-is-like-its-own-country-you-don/) [Doechii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doechii/) > [Gators have become my favorite animal because people hate them so much. I started doing research and learning about them. They're very intelligent animals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doechii/gators-have-become-my-favorite-animal-because-people-hate-them-so/) [Doechii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doechii/) > [I don't suppose you cook?" Tucker inquired hopefully. "Did you think because she can start fires she'd be great with a grill? Gator asked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-feehan/i-don-t-suppose-you-cook-tucker-inquired-hopefully-did-you-think/) [Christine Feehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-feehan/) > [Youever insult Bride again, I swear I'll rip your throat out and feed you to the gators in the swamp. You understand me?" -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/youever-insult-bride-again-i-swear-i-ll-rip-your-throat-out-and-feed/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“There are gators, thousands of them. " said Rashawn. " Then we better get out of here before we end up as a feast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-smith/there-are-gators-thousands-of-them-said-rashawn-then-we-better-get/) [Roland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-smith/) > [Tim Tebow's like the snake doctor for Florida. Gotta stop the snake doctor, keep the Gators from moving the ball…this time he snaked Alabama…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-danielson/tim-tebow-s-like-the-snake-doctor-for-florida-gotta-stop-the-snake/) [Gary Danielson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-danielson/) > [ Smokey and the Bandit was the first picture \[Hal Needham \] directed, and I knew he could handle it. I had just directed Gator,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/burt-reynolds/smokey-and-the-bandit-was-the-first-picture-hal-needham-directed-and/) [Burt Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/burt-reynolds/) > [The first time I was in this state recruiting, that's when I knew I wanted to be a Gator, because I saw the influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcelwain/the-first-time-i-was-in-this-state-recruiting-that-s-when-i-knew-i/) [Jim McElwain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcelwain/) > [Than I meet up wit the gators and kill em waitin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dru-stone/than-i-meet-up-wit-the-gators-and-kill-em-waitin/) [Dru Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dru-stone/) > [“Love is a blue balloon that wants to be orange. Go Gators!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/love-is-a-blue-balloon-that-wants-to-be-orange-go-gators/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) ## More by Steve Spurrier > [I don't think telling the truth ever gets anyone in trouble in the long run. Maybe the day after, but not in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-don-t-think-telling-the-truth-ever-gets-anyone-in-trouble-in-the/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [I do have some young coaches, but I don't really believe that is the biggest problem we have here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-do-have-some-young-coaches-but-i-don-t-really-believe-that-is-the/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [You know what FSU stands for, don't you? Free Shoes University.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/you-know-what-fsu-stands-for-don-t-you-free-shoes-university/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [Coaching to me is correcting mistakes and trying to get your players to think. If raising your voice occasionally gets them to think better,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/coaching-to-me-is-correcting-mistakes-and-trying-to-get-your-players/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [So you get two good hours on the field about every day, you get about an hour and a half in the meeting room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/so-you-get-two-good-hours-on-the-field-about-every-day-you-get-about/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [Football players are busy (with) study halls and tutoring. Well, anyway, at South Carolina they are. I don't know about all these other schools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/football-players-are-busy-with-study-halls-and-tutoring-well-anyway/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [I do get away maybe a little bit more than most coaches do, but that seems to have worked for me in my coaching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-do-get-away-maybe-a-little-bit-more-than-most-coaches-do-but-that/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [You can't spell Citrus without UT](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/you-can-t-spell-citrus-without-ut/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [In the offseason, why can't it be a little lighter? It's not life or death. I try to have a little fun, but all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/in-the-offseason-why-can-t-it-be-a-little-lighter-it-s-not-life-or/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [We're not anxious to play L.S.U. again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/we-re-not-anxious-to-play-l-s-u-again/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [Number two, we're going to play with a lot of effort. Our guys are going to be in such good shape that fatigue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/number-two-we-re-going-to-play-with-a-lot-of-effort-our-guys-are/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [I really believe everything is here for us to be very successful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-really-believe-everything-is-here-for-us-to-be-very-successful/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [What I've been telling everyone that loves Carolina football is that we are going to put a team out there that, number one, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/what-i-ve-been-telling-everyone-that-loves-carolina-football-is-that/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [I don't want to coach too far into my 60s. By then, I'll be playing golf four or five times a week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-don-t-want-to-coach-too-far-into-my-60s-by-then-i-ll-be-playing/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) > [Our coaches want to be a part of South Carolina football when they win it for the first time. When they win the division,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/our-coaches-want-to-be-a-part-of-south-carolina-football-when-they/) [Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) [Explore all 41 Steve Spurrier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/) ## More Auburn quotes > [I'm so very happy to be here, ... My lifelong dream is to win, and I was accustomed to winning before I got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takeo-spikes/i-m-so-very-happy-to-be-here-my-lifelong-dream-is-to-win-and-i-was/) [Takeo Spikes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takeo-spikes/) > [I was recruited at Alabama and at Auburn to play basketball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luther-strange/i-was-recruited-at-alabama-and-at-auburn-to-play-basketball/) [Luther Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luther-strange/) > [Auburn is a very small, quiet college town, a different kind of place geographically and culturally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-hudson/auburn-is-a-very-small-quiet-college-town-a-different-kind-of-place/) [Tim Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-hudson/) > [Everyone watched, wondering if this could be the same lunatic who'd nearly berthed his ornithopter in the restaurant. I swallowed, for it seemed he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-oppel/everyone-watched-wondering-if-this-could-be-the-same-lunatic-who-d/) [Kenneth Oppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-oppel/) > [I never liked Alabama. I liked some of the players. Or, I liked Auburn over Alabama. I never wanted to go to college there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamarcus-russell/i-never-liked-alabama-i-liked-some-of-the-players-or-i-liked-auburn/) [JaMarcus Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamarcus-russell/) > [It's not about being a head coach, I'd rather be a DC at Auburn and win championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-muschamp/it-s-not-about-being-a-head-coach-i-d-rather-be-a-dc-at-auburn-and/) [Will Muschamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-muschamp/) > [I can’t have it either. It affects the babies in utero.” “Nonsense,” he said, tossing his long auburn hair over one shoulder. Life would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/i-can-t-have-it-either-it-affects-the-babies-in-utero-nonsense-he/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I can be bought. If they paid me enough, I'd work for the Klan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barkley/i-can-be-bought-if-they-paid-me-enough-i-d-work-for-the-klan/) [Charles Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-barkley/) > [Vernon Reis opened the world to me through books. He taught me that while I was physically firmly planted in blue-collar Auburn, Washington in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-gregoire/vernon-reis-opened-the-world-to-me-through-books-he-taught-me-that/) [Christine Gregoire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-gregoire/) > [Alabama fans love Alabama football. Auburn fans love Auburn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-dye/alabama-fans-love-alabama-football-auburn-fans-love-auburn/) [Pat Dye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-dye/) > [The stuff I went through at Auburn? It didn't matter anymore. I just wanted to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-jacobs/the-stuff-i-went-through-at-auburn-it-didn-t-matter-anymore-i-just/) [Brandon Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-jacobs/) > [Her elf is going to do just that,” he said, the red glow of the ever-after sun turning his hair auburn, almost as red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/her-elf-is-going-to-do-just-that-he-said-the-red-glow-of-the-ever/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [I love fan bases where it matters so much. In that state, with both Alabama and Auburn in the same state, it just makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-love-fan-bases-where-it-matters-so-much-in-that-state-with-both/) [Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/) > [When red-haired people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/when-red-haired-people-are-above-a-certain-social-grade-their-hair-is/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [When I left high school, I wanted to go to Auburn, and they said they were going to let me go both ways. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-wallace/when-i-left-high-school-i-wanted-to-go-to-auburn-and-they-said-they/) [Ben Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-wallace/) [Browse all 36 Auburn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/auburn/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "But the real tragedy was that 15 hadn't been colored yet. 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