---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most folks are like a barb-wire fence…"
description: "\"Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.\" — Texas Bix Bender"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg"
---

#  Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their…

![“Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.” quote by Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg)

> “Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.”

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People often appear defensive, yet they possess valuable qualities that can be appreciated.

**In simple terms:** Defensive exterior, hidden value

Key Takeaway

Look beyond the surface

Themes

perception human nature judgment empathy complexity

Mood

thoughtful balanced

Type

observation analogy

When to use this quote

- team dynamics
- conflict resolution
- leadership assessment
- personal relationships

Key Concepts

defensiveness latent strengths

Practical Applications

- coaching
- team building

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you recognize worth in seemingly guarded individuals?
- What strategies help you see beyond defensive behavior?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Barbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbs/)

## Related quotes

> [We do all like to get things inside a barb-wire corral. Especially our fellow-men. We love to round them up inside the barb-wire enclosure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/we-do-all-like-to-get-things-inside-a-barb-wire-corral-especially-our/)

[D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/)

> [This is the fast lane, folks...and some of us like it here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/this-is-the-fast-lane-folks-and-some-of-us-like-it-here/)

[Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/)

> [“The white folks like for us to be religious, then they can do what they want to with us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-wright/the-white-folks-like-for-us-to-be-religious-then-they-can-do-what/)

[Richard Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-wright/)

> [So if ever someone says to you Life isn't fair, get used to it Then you should say Well it might be If folks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-avett-brothers/so-if-ever-someone-says-to-you-life-isn-t-fair-get-used-to-it-then/)

[The Avett Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-avett-brothers/)

> [I know it sounds corny, man, but I like to bring folks joy, and I like to have a good time. I know folks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfman-jack/i-know-it-sounds-corny-man-but-i-like-to-bring-folks-joy-and-i-like/)

[Wolfman Jack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfman-jack/)

> [“your folks are like God because you want to know they’re out there and you want them to approve of your life, still you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/your-folks-are-like-god-because-you-want-to-know-they-re-out-there/)

[Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/)

> [Folks are like plants; we all lean towards the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-carr/folks-are-like-plants-we-all-lean-towards-the-light/)

[Kris Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-carr/)

> [U2 and folks like that. They all have that similar drive and that belief in themselves. They're early birds ... they're up working when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-oakenfold/u2-and-folks-like-that-they-all-have-that-similar-drive-and-that/)

[Paul Oakenfold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-oakenfold/)

> [I do duets with folks like Randy Goodman, Aaron Neville, Bryan Adams, people like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-murray/i-do-duets-with-folks-like-randy-goodman-aaron-neville-bryan-adams/)

[Anne Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-murray/)

> [I grew my dreadlocks 12 years ago because they give me the freedom to roll out of bed and not spend hours on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-june/i-grew-my-dreadlocks-12-years-ago-because-they-give-me-the-freedom-to/)

[Valerie June](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-june/)

> [You can always tell folks from nonfolks. Folks like to feel good, like to smile for the camera when there's a big photo opportunity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-baker/you-can-always-tell-folks-from-nonfolks-folks-like-to-feel-good-like/)

[Russell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-baker/)

> [Folks are like plants; we all lean toward the light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-carr/folks-are-like-plants-we-all-lean-toward-the-light/)

[Kris Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-carr/)

> [No matter the barbs of fate that frustrate you, no matter how stacked against you the cards of fortune. . . . There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uell-stanley-andersen/no-matter-the-barbs-of-fate-that-frustrate-you-no-matter-how-stacked/)

[Uell Stanley Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uell-stanley-andersen/)

> [When did "sentimental" become a pejorative barb? I do not at all share the notion that a piece of music, or a poem, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-richardson/when-did-sentimental-become-a-pejorative-barb-i-do-not-at-all-share/)

[Bill Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-richardson/)

> [There are some of us who in after years say to Fate, 'Now deal us your hardest blow, give us what you will; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olive-schreiner/there-are-some-of-us-who-in-after-years-say-to-fate-now-deal-us-your/)

[Olive Schreiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olive-schreiner/)

## More by Texas Bix Bender

> [“here's no place like your own home on the range, but a good compadre's campfire is a close second. A pard doesn't mind if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/here-s-no-place-like-your-own-home-on-the-range-but-a-good-compadre-s/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [“Remain independent of any source of income that will deprive you of your personal liberties.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/remain-independent-of-any-source-of-income-that-will-deprive-you-of/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [The best way to garden is to put on a wide-brimmed straw hat and some old clothes. And with a hoe in one hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/the-best-way-to-garden-is-to-put-on-a-wide-brimmed-straw-hat-and-some/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a raindance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/timing-has-a-lot-to-do-with-the-outcome-of-a-raindance/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Just 'cause you're following a well-marked trail don't mean that whoever made it knew where they were goin'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/just-cause-you-re-following-a-well-marked-trail-don-t-mean-that/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/speak-your-mind-but-ride-a-fast-horse/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [The real lowdown on gardening is ... dirt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/the-real-lowdown-on-gardening-is-dirt/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [It's easy to see things you're lookin' for. The trick is to see things you're not looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/it-s-easy-to-see-things-you-re-lookin-for-the-trick-is-to-see-things/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Stolen kisses require an accomplice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/stolen-kisses-require-an-accomplice/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Never be too quick to criticize yourself. It's not fair to all of your friends and relatives, who are dying to do it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/never-be-too-quick-to-criticize-yourself-it-s-not-fair-to-all-of-your/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

> [Always take a good look at what you're about to eat. It's not so important to know what it is, but it's critical to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/always-take-a-good-look-at-what-you-re-about-to-eat-it-s-not-so/)

[Texas Bix Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

[Explore all 12 Texas Bix Bender quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/)

## More Barbs quotes

> [When did "sentimental" become a pejorative barb? I do not at all share the notion that a piece of music, or a poem, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-richardson/when-did-sentimental-become-a-pejorative-barb-i-do-not-at-all-share/)

[Bill Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-richardson/)

> [No matter the barbs of fate that frustrate you, no matter how stacked against you the cards of fortune. . . . There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uell-stanley-andersen/no-matter-the-barbs-of-fate-that-frustrate-you-no-matter-how-stacked/)

[Uell Stanley Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uell-stanley-andersen/)

> [We do all like to get things inside a barb-wire corral. Especially our fellow-men. We love to round them up inside the barb-wire enclosure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence/we-do-all-like-to-get-things-inside-a-barb-wire-corral-especially-our/)

[D. H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence/)

> [There are some of us who in after years say to Fate, 'Now deal us your hardest blow, give us what you will; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olive-schreiner/there-are-some-of-us-who-in-after-years-say-to-fate-now-deal-us-your/)

[Olive Schreiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olive-schreiner/)

> [How many times already had I encountered the painful lesson that although we may wish for the barb to be pulled from our flesh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-golden/how-many-times-already-had-i-encountered-the-painful-lesson-that/)

[Arthur Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-golden/)

> [There's no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature - the malice of a good thing is the barb that makes it stick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/there-s-no-possibility-of-being-witty-without-a-little-ill-nature-the/)

[Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/)

> [“She threw barbs, they were well aimed and they made me laugh. If I were a different man I’d have a bruised ego. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarryn-fisher/she-threw-barbs-they-were-well-aimed-and-they-made-me-laugh-if-i-were/)

[Tarryn Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarryn-fisher/)

> [Each scar's a cipher rimmed with old barbs and landmines, protecting its truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-l-b-smith/each-scar-s-a-cipher-rimmed-with-old-barbs-and-landmines-protecting/)

J. L. B. Smith

> [He who would lay hands upon us will encounter thorns and barbs!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/he-who-would-lay-hands-upon-us-will-encounter-thorns-and-barbs/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [Christians must deplore unfair and deprecating barbs regularly aimed our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-r-mains/christians-must-deplore-unfair-and-deprecating-barbs-regularly-aimed/)

David R. Mains

> [No touching Baby Jesus.” “But we’re his parents!” proclaimed Mary Beth, who was being generous to include poor Joseph under this appellation. “Mary Beth,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/no-touching-baby-jesus-but-we-re-his-parents-proclaimed-mary-beth-who/)

[John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/)

> [Greed, fear, lust, hate, jealousy, these are part of reality too ... bundles of consciousness wrapped tightly, barbs on which you can injure yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/greed-fear-lust-hate-jealousy-these-are-part-of-reality-too-bundles/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [There was a whole group that really welcomed me: George Mitchell was one, Ted Kennedy, Chris Dodd, the reformers were really delighted to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-mikulski/there-was-a-whole-group-that-really-welcomed-me-george-mitchell-was/)

[Barbara Mikulski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-mikulski/)

> [The writer should always serve as his own angleworm —and the sharper the barb with which he fishes himself out of blackness, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hawkes/the-writer-should-always-serve-as-his-own-angleworm-and-the-sharper/)

[John Hawkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hawkes/)

> [If you got to castrate your miser'ble self with a piece o' rusty barb wire, do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-phelps/if-you-got-to-castrate-your-miser-ble-self-with-a-piece-o-rusty-barb/)

[Fred Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-phelps/)

[Browse all 20 Barbs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barbs/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Texas Bix Bender"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-they-have-their-good-points/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Barbs"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-they-have-their-good-points/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5b/texas-bix-bender-37490_barbs_most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-th_65971.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Most folks are like a barb-wire fence. They have their good points.” — Texas Bix Bender",
                "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": "Texas Bix Bender",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/texas-bix-bender/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Most folks are like a barb-wire...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-they-have-their-good-points/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/texas-bix-bender/most-folks-are-like-a-barb-wire-fence-they-have-their-good-points/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
