--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You crush the Caterpillars, but then…" description: "\"You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's no Butterflys...\" — Toni Watson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg" --- # You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's… ![“You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's no Butterflys...” quote by Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg) > “You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's no Butterflys...” [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Destruction of a problem leads to loss of its potential benefits, yet people complain about the absence of those benefits. **In simple terms:** Eliminating a cause removes its outcomes, but people may still miss the outcomes. Key Takeaway Consider consequences before removing causes. Themes cause and effect complaint consequences Mood reflective critical Type analytical philosophical When to use this quote - environmental policy - personal relationships - business decisions Key Concepts systems thinking responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What outcomes do you value enough to preserve the cause? - Can you accept the loss of benefits when eliminating a problem? A Different Perspective If the cause is removed, the outcome may be essential; the loss can be harmful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Annoyance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annoyance/) [Being real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-real/) [Butterfly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/butterfly/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Sarcastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sarcastic/) ## Related quotes > [We crush the caterpillars then complain there are no butterflies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-crush-the-caterpillars-then-complain-there-are-no-butterflies/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We kill all the caterpillars, then complain there are no butterflies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marsden/we-kill-all-the-caterpillars-then-complain-there-are-no-butterflies/) [John Marsden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marsden/) > [Love is from the heart not just the tongue of the person that's saying it, it's from the soul that sets fire within or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-coleman/love-is-from-the-heart-not-just-the-tongue-of-the-person-that-s/) [Damian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-coleman/) > [Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned. They are more enjoyed if another's, than if yours; the first day they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/many-of-the-things-that-bring-delight-should-not-be-owned-they-are/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Let my style capture all the sounds of my time. This should make it an annoyance to my contemporaries. But later generations should hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/let-my-style-capture-all-the-sounds-of-my-time-this-should-make-it-an/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [I'm intensely private, and I've openly shown annoyance at the paparazzi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/i-m-intensely-private-and-i-ve-openly-shown-annoyance-at-the-paparazzi/) [Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/) > [“...the presence of others has become even more intolerable to me, their conversation most of all. Oh, how it all annoys and exasperates me:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-lorrain/the-presence-of-others-has-become-even-more-intolerable-to-me-their/) [Jean Lorrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-lorrain/) > [By all means give vent to your anger, let it out in nondestructive ways--if you are still deciding to have it. But begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/by-all-means-give-vent-to-your-anger-let-it-out-in-nondestructive/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [The military and the clergy cause us much annoyance; the clergy and the military, they empty our wallets and rob our intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/the-military-and-the-clergy-cause-us-much-annoyance-the-clergy-and/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [If we will only surrender ourselves utterly to the Lord, and will trust Him perfectly, we shall find our souls "mounting up with wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-whitall-smith/if-we-will-only-surrender-ourselves-utterly-to-the-lord-and-will/) [Hannah Whitall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-whitall-smith/) > [I had a great dislike to the annoyances entailed by baggage; and it was always with some feeling of elation that I cut myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/i-had-a-great-dislike-to-the-annoyances-entailed-by-baggage-and-it/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [“Dredging up some semblance of annoyance, Celaena stuck out her tongue. At the guards, at the market, at the hawk on the nearby chimney,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/dredging-up-some-semblance-of-annoyance-celaena-stuck-out-her-tongue/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Memories which someday will become all beautiful when the last annoyance that encumbers them shall have faded out of our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/memories-which-someday-will-become-all-beautiful-when-the-last/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." Isaac Asimov”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohi-shetty/people-who-think-they-know-everything-are-a-great-annoyance-to-those/) Rohi Shetty > [“See? Injustice. Here we are, risking our lives to rescue Kai and this whole planet, and Adri and Pearl get to go to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/see-injustice-here-we-are-risking-our-lives-to-rescue-kai-and-this/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) ## More by Toni Watson > [When faced with a difficult task, Hand it over to a Lazy Person. They'll fighure out an easier way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/when-faced-with-a-difficult-task-hand-it-over-to-a-lazy-person-they/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Americans will put up with anything, provided that It doesn't block traffic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-that-it-doesn-t-block/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [I wonder what goes through your head when you hear my name...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/i-wonder-what-goes-through-your-head-when-you-hear-my-name/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Copy from one, It's plagerism. Copy from two, It's research](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/copy-from-one-it-s-plagerism-copy-from-two-it-s-research/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Say That Again, Bitch, And I'll Make Sure Your Next Period Comes Out Your Mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/say-that-again-bitch-and-i-ll-make-sure-your-next-period-comes-out/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Don't talk to me, when I'm talking to myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/don-t-talk-to-me-when-i-m-talking-to-myself/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [If you hear an Onion Ring, answer it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/if-you-hear-an-onion-ring-answer-it/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Definition Of A Celebrity: A person whowho works hard all their life to be successful and to be known, and then wears dark glasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/definition-of-a-celebrity-a-person-whowho-works-hard-all-their-life/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Ooooh, They Just Called You Short..!!! Aw Hell Naw, Lift Me Up..!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/ooooh-they-just-called-you-short-aw-hell-naw-lift-me-up/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [A careful driver is one who honks their horn when going through a red light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/a-careful-driver-is-one-who-honks-their-horn-when-going-through-a-red/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [I need a Boyfriend. No...You WANT a Boyfriend. You NEED some water, because you sound THIRSTY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/i-need-a-boyfriend-no-you-want-a-boyfriend-you-need-some-water/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [I can either be your Best Friends, or your Worst Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/i-can-either-be-your-best-friends-or-your-worst-enemy/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [EX Means: Thanks for the EXperience. Our time has EXpired, though. Now EXit my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/ex-means-thanks-for-the-experience-our-time-has-expired-though-now/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [Definition Of A Human Being: A Creature That Chops Down Trees, Makes It Into Paper, And Writes, SAVE TREES On That Same Paper...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/definition-of-a-human-being-a-creature-that-chops-down-trees-makes-it/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) > [That FML moment when your parent(s) uses your phone, and you hope that they don't come across something you'd rather them not see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/that-fml-moment-when-your-parent-s-uses-your-phone-and-you-hope-that/) [Toni Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) [Explore all 22 Toni Watson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/) ## More Annoyance quotes > [“See? Injustice. Here we are, risking our lives to rescue Kai and this whole planet, and Adri and Pearl get to go to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marissa-meyer/see-injustice-here-we-are-risking-our-lives-to-rescue-kai-and-this/) [Marissa Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marissa-meyer/) > [“People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." Isaac Asimov”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohi-shetty/people-who-think-they-know-everything-are-a-great-annoyance-to-those/) Rohi Shetty > [Memories which someday will become all beautiful when the last annoyance that encumbers them shall have faded out of our minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/memories-which-someday-will-become-all-beautiful-when-the-last/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“Dredging up some semblance of annoyance, Celaena stuck out her tongue. At the guards, at the market, at the hawk on the nearby chimney,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/dredging-up-some-semblance-of-annoyance-celaena-stuck-out-her-tongue/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [I had a great dislike to the annoyances entailed by baggage; and it was always with some feeling of elation that I cut myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/i-had-a-great-dislike-to-the-annoyances-entailed-by-baggage-and-it/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [If we will only surrender ourselves utterly to the Lord, and will trust Him perfectly, we shall find our souls "mounting up with wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-whitall-smith/if-we-will-only-surrender-ourselves-utterly-to-the-lord-and-will/) [Hannah Whitall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-whitall-smith/) > [The military and the clergy cause us much annoyance; the clergy and the military, they empty our wallets and rob our intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-grillparzer/the-military-and-the-clergy-cause-us-much-annoyance-the-clergy-and/) [Franz Grillparzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-grillparzer/) > [By all means give vent to your anger, let it out in nondestructive ways--if you are still deciding to have it. But begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/by-all-means-give-vent-to-your-anger-let-it-out-in-nondestructive/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [“...the presence of others has become even more intolerable to me, their conversation most of all. Oh, how it all annoys and exasperates me:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-lorrain/the-presence-of-others-has-become-even-more-intolerable-to-me-their/) [Jean Lorrain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-lorrain/) > [I'm intensely private, and I've openly shown annoyance at the paparazzi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/i-m-intensely-private-and-i-ve-openly-shown-annoyance-at-the-paparazzi/) [Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/) > [Let my style capture all the sounds of my time. This should make it an annoyance to my contemporaries. But later generations should hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/let-my-style-capture-all-the-sounds-of-my-time-this-should-make-it-an/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Many of the things that bring delight should not be owned. They are more enjoyed if another's, than if yours; the first day they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/many-of-the-things-that-bring-delight-should-not-be-owned-they-are/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [Raziel’s sixty feet tall?” “Actually, he’s only fifty-nine feet tall, but he likes to exaggerate,” said Magnus. Isabelle clicked her tongue in annoyance. “Valentine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/raziel-s-sixty-feet-tall-actually-he-s-only-fifty-nine-feet-tall-but/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I like long walks, especialy when they are taken by people who annoy me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-coward/i-like-long-walks-especialy-when-they-are-taken-by-people-who-annoy-me/) [Noel Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-coward/) > [If we could make up our minds to spare our friends all details of ill health, of money losses, of domestic annoyances, of altercations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/if-we-could-make-up-our-minds-to-spare-our-friends-all-details-of-ill/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) [Browse all 160 Annoyance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/annoyance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's no Butterflys...", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Toni Watson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-complain-when-there-s-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Annoyance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-complain-when-there-s-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bc/toni-watson-25727_annoyance_you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-comp_1167785.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You crush the Caterpillars, but then complain when there's no Butterflys...” — Toni Watson", "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": "Toni Watson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-watson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You crush the Caterpillars, but then...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-complain-when-there-s-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-watson/you-crush-the-caterpillars-but-then-complain-when-there-s-no/#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 } } ] } ```