--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The president is that invisible force…" description: "\"The president is that invisible force that makes a school of fish suddenly change direction, so that everyone 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' at the glimmering mass ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/theodore-roosevelt-218_avoiding_the-president-is-that-invisible-force-th_491969.jpg" --- # The president is that invisible force that makes a school… ![“The president is that invisible force that makes a school of fish suddenly change direction, so that everyone 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' at the glimmering mass and only later wonders what makes them move in that way. I read somewhere-_Harper's_, I'm fairly certain-that the fish are only avoiding pockets of…” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/theodore-roosevelt-218_avoiding_the-president-is-that-invisible-force-th_491969.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/theodore-roosevelt-218_avoiding_the-president-is-that-invisible-force-th_491969.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/176/theodore-roosevelt-218_avoiding_the-president-is-that-invisible-force-th_491969.jpg) > “The president is that invisible force that makes a school of fish suddenly change direction, so that everyone 'ohhs' and 'ahhs' at the glimmering mass and only later wonders what makes them move in that way. I read somewhere-\_Harper's\_, I'm fairly certain-that the fish are only avoiding pockets of extra cold water.” [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The president acts like an unseen leader guiding collective behavior, similar to a school of fish responding to a hidden force. **In simple terms:** Leaders influence groups subtly. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect effective leadership. Themes leadership influence collective behavior Mood inspirational thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - team management - political campaigns - community organizing Key Concepts political theory social psychology Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify hidden influences? - What responsibilities do leaders have? A Different Perspective Leadership impact can be invisible yet powerful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Cold water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold-water/) [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Schools of fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schools-of-fish/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) ## Related quotes > [When we talk about GOD, we’re like a school of fish, discussing the possible existence of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/when-we-talk-about-god-we-re-like-a-school-of-fish-discussing-the/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [There's always gonna be a certain fish in your life but only one can truly be your nemo in the open sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole/there-s-always-gonna-be-a-certain-fish-in-your-life-but-only-one-can/) [Nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole/) > [“Poor little Roxxi, she felt as if she was a tiny fish that had suddenly been thrown into the large sea.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-benton/poor-little-roxxi-she-felt-as-if-she-was-a-tiny-fish-that-had/) Amy Benton > [How did we lose our culture? Black people used to all do the same thing on Saturdays. We all watched "Soul Train" and "American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-quik/how-did-we-lose-our-culture-black-people-used-to-all-do-the-same/) [DJ Quik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-quik/) > [In every crisis, people do not respond like a school of fish. Some people become immobilized. Some people become very angry, some commit suicide,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/in-every-crisis-people-do-not-respond-like-a-school-of-fish-some/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [Loads of overtaking is boring. You go fishing and you catch a fish every ten minutes and it's boring. But if you site there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-irvine/loads-of-overtaking-is-boring-you-go-fishing-and-you-catch-a-fish/) Eddie Irvine > [Really, people are not a school of fish. Finding the leaders of the future is a question of recognizing those people who give leadership…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/really-people-are-not-a-school-of-fish-finding-the-leaders-of-the/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [Literary critics, like a herd of cows or a school of fish, always face in the same direction, obeying that love for unity that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/literary-critics-like-a-herd-of-cows-or-a-school-of-fish-always-face/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [Now it seems like there is no culture. The school of fish are all separate. Everybody's just randomized, listening to their own thing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dj-quik/now-it-seems-like-there-is-no-culture-the-school-of-fish-are-all/) [DJ Quik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dj-quik/) > [We need to do what I call visionary organizing. 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I miss diving into the cold water and coming out a new man. On the road it's hard to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-stone/i-miss-the-ocean-i-miss-diving-into-the-cold-water-and-coming-out-a/) Angus Stone > [“You know the two most dear people to me in all the world are Madge and Anna Spears. You don't know them...Rosemary knows them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-the-two-most-dear-people-to-me-in-all-the-world-are-madge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For a long time before I met you, I felt my life was this kind of test. I was in deep, cold water, swimming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-raeder/for-a-long-time-before-i-met-you-i-felt-my-life-was-this-kind-of-test/) [Leah Raeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-raeder/) ## More by Theodore Roosevelt > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/get-action-seize-the-moment-man-was-never-intended-to-become-an-oyster/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Argument weak; speak loudly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/argument-weak-speak-loudly/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense."... "We must treat each man on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/let-the-watchwords-of-all-our-people-be-the-old-familiar-watchwords/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The forces that tend for evil are great and terrible, but the forces of truth and love and courage and honesty and generosity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-forces-that-tend-for-evil-are-great-and-terrible-but-the-forces/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/every-reform-movement-has-a-lunatic-fringe/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Conservation and rural-life policies are really two sides of the same policy; and down at the bottom this policy rests upon the fundamental law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/conservation-and-rural-life-policies-are-really-two-sides-of-the-same/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I am a strong individualist by personal habit, inheritance, and conviction; but it is a mere matter of common sense to recognize that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-am-a-strong-individualist-by-personal-habit-inheritance-and/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Alone of human beings the good and wise mother stands on a plane of equal honor with the bravest soldier; for she has gladly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/alone-of-human-beings-the-good-and-wise-mother-stands-on-a-plane-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The greatest privilege and greatest duty for any man is to be happily married, and no other form of success or service, for either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-greatest-privilege-and-greatest-duty-for-any-man-is-to-be-happily/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly all other forms of success and achievement lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/for-unflagging-interest-and-enjoyment-a-household-of-children-if/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. To put an end to it will be neither a short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their-2/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [If elected, I shall see to it that every man has a square deal, no less and no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/if-elected-i-shall-see-to-it-that-every-man-has-a-square-deal-no-less/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) [Explore all 876 Theodore Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## More Avoiding quotes > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [ I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures \[about Prophet Muhammad\] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-fogh-rasmussen/i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caricatures-about-prophet-muhammad/) [Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-fogh-rasmussen/) > [I know a bit about taxation and the remarkable effort that goes in to avoiding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rinder/i-know-a-bit-about-taxation-and-the-remarkable-effort-that-goes-in-to/) [Robert Rinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rinder/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [I don't believe in happy endings. Children have got to face death sooner or later. Granny and Grandpa die, dogs die, cats die, gerbils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-briggs/i-don-t-believe-in-happy-endings-children-have-got-to-face-death/) Raymond Briggs > [Resisting and avoiding pain sucks energy-and time. The more you let yourself feel those minute-and-a-half hells, the quicker you'll start feeling those minute-and-a-half happinesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/resisting-and-avoiding-pain-sucks-energy-and-time-the-more-you-let/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/reading-is-sometimes-an-ingenious-device-for-avoiding-thought/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/a-day-can-really-slip-by-when-you-re-deliberately-avoiding-what-you/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [When someone starts Ignoring you, just back off without staying there with them Just to know the reason for avoiding..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishak/when-someone-starts-ignoring-you-just-back-off-without-staying-there/) [Vishak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishak/) > [You know what takes effort? 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