--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have often been reminded of the wild…" description: "\"I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down on migration into a barnyard and liked it so well that he stayed there. In the fall his erst..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/vance-havner-1699_barns_i-have-often-been-reminded-of-the-wild-d_841115.jpg" --- # I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down… ![“I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down on migration into a barnyard and liked it so well that he stayed there. In the fall his erstwhile companions passed overhead and his first impulse was to rise and join them, but he had fed too well and could rise no higher than the eaves…” quote by Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/vance-havner-1699_barns_i-have-often-been-reminded-of-the-wild-d_841115.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/vance-havner-1699_barns_i-have-often-been-reminded-of-the-wild-d_841115.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/678/vance-havner-1699_barns_i-have-often-been-reminded-of-the-wild-d_841115.jpg) > “I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down on migration into a barnyard and liked it so well that he stayed there. In the fall his erstwhile companions passed overhead and his first impulse was to rise and join them, but he had fed too well and could rise no higher than the eaves of the barn. The day came when his old fellow travelers could pass overhead without his even hearing their call. I have seen men and women who once mounted up with wings like eagles but are now content to live in the barnyard of this world.” [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person becomes comfortable in a limited environment, losing the desire or ability to return to higher aspirations. **In simple terms:** Comfort can trap us, limiting growth. Key Takeaway Recognize and resist complacency. Themes comfort aspiration stagnation Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career stagnation - personal growth - creative pursuits Key Concepts human nature psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - What comforts keep you from higher goals? - How can you rekindle ambition? A Different Perspective Risk of losing potential if comfort outweighs ambition. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-inspirational/) [Companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companion/) [Ducks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ducks/) [Eagles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eagles/) [Feds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feds/) [Fellow travelers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fellow-travelers/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Migration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/migration/) [Traveler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traveler/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The sea darkens And a wild duck s call Is faintly white.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matsuo-basho/the-sea-darkens-and-a-wild-duck-s-call-is-faintly-white/) [Matsuo Basho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matsuo-basho/) > [I saw 'The Wild Duck' at the Belvoir St. Theatre in Sydney, and it was one of the best pieces of theatre I'd ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-minchin/i-saw-the-wild-duck-at-the-belvoir-st-theatre-in-sydney-and-it-was/) [Tim Minchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-minchin/) > [Poetry is a sky dark with a wild-duck migration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/poetry-is-a-sky-dark-with-a-wild-duck-migration/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [I've got my old favorites like The Eagles and Bon Jovi.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niall-horan/i-ve-got-my-old-favorites-like-the-eagles-and-bon-jovi/) [Niall Horan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niall-horan/) > [“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/but-those-who-wait-on-the-lord-shall-renew-their-strength-they-shall/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Remember, those that wait upon the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles, and they will run and not be weary. And don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-schlafly/remember-those-that-wait-upon-the-lord-will-rise-up-with-wings-like/) [Phyllis Schlafly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-schlafly/) > [Look, I spent six years in Philly. And for the longest time, I thought there was nothing like Eagles fans. Until I got to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesean-mccoy/look-i-spent-six-years-in-philly-and-for-the-longest-time-i-thought/) [LeSean McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesean-mccoy/) > [Leaders are like eagles... they don't flock. You'll find them one at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/knute-rockne/leaders-are-like-eagles-they-don-t-flock-you-ll-find-them-one-at-a/) [Knute Rockne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/knute-rockne/) > [Men of genius are like eagles, they live on what they kill, while men of talents are like crows, they live on what has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/men-of-genius-are-like-eagles-they-live-on-what-they-kill-while-men/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [Om rubed his head. This wasn't god-like thinking. It seemed simpler when you were up here. It was all a game. You forgot that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/om-rubed-his-head-this-wasn-t-god-like-thinking-it-seemed-simpler/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-schopenhauer/great-men-are-like-eagles-and-build-their-nest-on-some-lofty-solitude/) [Arthur Schopenhauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-schopenhauer/) > [Like two eagles soar as one upon the river of the wind with the promise of forever, we will take the past and learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pocahontas/like-two-eagles-soar-as-one-upon-the-river-of-the-wind-with-the/) [Pocahontas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pocahontas/) > [I do not run my band like The Eagles, for sure. I've never had to be heavy handed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-b-schmit/i-do-not-run-my-band-like-the-eagles-for-sure-i-ve-never-had-to-be/) [Timothy B. Schmit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-b-schmit/) > [As much as I love heavy riffs, I like The Eagles, Neil Young, Elton John, Crowded House.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zakk-wylde/as-much-as-i-love-heavy-riffs-i-like-the-eagles-neil-young-elton-john/) [Zakk Wylde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zakk-wylde/) > [We have always been like The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac in that we have numerous lead singers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lukather/we-have-always-been-like-the-eagles-and-fleetwood-mac-in-that-we-have/) [Steve Lukather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lukather/) ## More by Vance Havner > [Plenty of church members are shaky about what they believe, while not many are shaken by what they believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/plenty-of-church-members-are-shaky-about-what-they-believe-while-not/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [It is one thing to say Jesus is all you want; until He is all you have and you discover He is all you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/it-is-one-thing-to-say-jesus-is-all-you-want-until-he-is-all-you-have/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [There are many who say they want to be victorious Christians, but few are willing to endure the discipline necessary to make one a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/there-are-many-who-say-they-want-to-be-victorious-christians-but-few/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [The only way to meet the modern demon-stration of the powers of darkness is by a demonstration of the power of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-only-way-to-meet-the-modern-demon-stration-of-the-powers-of/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [God is on the lookout today for a man who will be quiet enough to get a message from Him, brave enough to preach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/god-is-on-the-lookout-today-for-a-man-who-will-be-quiet-enough-to-get/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [The last word of our Lord to the church was not the Great Commission. The last thing He said to the church was 'Repent.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-last-word-of-our-lord-to-the-church-was-not-the-great-commission/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Salt seasons, purifies, preserves. But somebody ought to remind us that salt also irritates. Real living Christianity rubs this world the wrong way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/salt-seasons-purifies-preserves-but-somebody-ought-to-remind-us-that/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [I can conceive of no greater, more romantic and interesting adventure than to undertake to live like Jesus in this complicated day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/i-can-conceive-of-no-greater-more-romantic-and-interesting-adventure/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [The church is so subnormal that if it ever got back to the New Testament normal it would seem to people to be abnormal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-church-is-so-subnormal-that-if-it-ever-got-back-to-the-new/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [A preacher who is too big for a little crowd would be too little for a big crowd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/a-preacher-who-is-too-big-for-a-little-crowd-would-be-too-little-for/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Jesus Christ demands more complete allegiance than any dictator who ever lived. The difference is, He has a right to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/jesus-christ-demands-more-complete-allegiance-than-any-dictator-who/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [In other days people chose a church on the basis of their doctrinal convictions. Now, lacking doctrinal convictions, they choose for social reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/in-other-days-people-chose-a-church-on-the-basis-of-their-doctrinal/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [We honor God by asking for great things when they are a part of His promise. We dishonor Him and cheat ourselves when we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/we-honor-god-by-asking-for-great-things-when-they-are-a-part-of-his/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [To some Christianity is an argument. To many it is a performance. To a few, it is experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/to-some-christianity-is-an-argument-to-many-it-is-a-performance-to-a/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Doing leads more surely to talking than talking to doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/doing-leads-more-surely-to-talking-than-talking-to-doing/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) [Explore all 214 Vance Havner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) ## More Barns quotes > [I assume my stance, and take back the club, low, slowly; at the top, my eyes fog over, and my joints dip and swirl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/i-assume-my-stance-and-take-back-the-club-low-slowly-at-the-top-my/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [My father kept me busy from dawn to dusk when I was a kid. When I wasn't pitching hay, hauling corn or running a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-feller/my-father-kept-me-busy-from-dawn-to-dusk-when-i-was-a-kid-when-i-wasn/) [Bob Feller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-feller/) > [You need to have a home to go back to, whether it's a hotel room or a barn. It's only home when he's there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genevieve-gorder/you-need-to-have-a-home-to-go-back-to-whether-it-s-a-hotel-room-or-a/) [Genevieve Gorder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genevieve-gorder/) > [A lot of people approach their barn or horse like they are going to war, because it's been going badly. So you pick up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-meehl/a-lot-of-people-approach-their-barn-or-horse-like-they-are-going-to/) Cindy Meehl > [Do I enjoy features? Yeah, I really do. Would I like to do some more features before I head to the barn? Yeah, probably.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-i-enjoy-features-yeah-i-really-do-would-i-like-to-do-some-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just because two of the people in this barn have decided to spend their lives together doesn't mean the rest of us are obligated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-ryan/just-because-two-of-the-people-in-this-barn-have-decided-to-spend/) [Sara Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-ryan/) > [Were you raised in a barn? You don't just walk into someone's house." Ash laughed. "I have an open invitation to enter whenever I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/were-you-raised-in-a-barn-you-don-t-just-walk-into-someone-s-house/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [The first slap-jack given me for dinner was a cake of flour, partially fried in a pan of fat bacon. I nibbled about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-smith/the-first-slap-jack-given-me-for-dinner-was-a-cake-of-flour-partially/) [James Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-smith/) > [Far and away the most futile admonition Christ ever offered was when he said, 'Have no care for tomorrow. Don't worry about whether you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-quinn/far-and-away-the-most-futile-admonition-christ-ever-offered-was-when/) [Daniel Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-quinn/) > [Farm country -- you know, hay, horses, cattle. It's the ideal situation for me. I like the physical endeavors that go with the farm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/farm-country-you-know-hay-horses-cattle-it-s-the-ideal-situation-for/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [The principle factor in my success has been an absolute desire to draw constantly. I never decided to be an artist. Simply, I couldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winsor-mccay/the-principle-factor-in-my-success-has-been-an-absolute-desire-to/) [Winsor McCay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winsor-mccay/) > [We are to remember what an umpire Nature is; what a greatness, composure of depth and tolerance there is in her. You take wheat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/we-are-to-remember-what-an-umpire-nature-is-what-a-greatness/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Garages, barns and attics are always older than the buildings to which they are attached.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/garages-barns-and-attics-are-always-older-than-the-buildings-to-which/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [When the cold comes to New England it arrives in sheets of sleet and ice. In December, the wind wraps itself around bare trees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/when-the-cold-comes-to-new-england-it-arrives-in-sheets-of-sleet-and/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [The harsh truth is, most red-haired men look like blondes who've spoiled from lack of refrigeration. They look like brown-haired men who've been composted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-harsh-truth-is-most-red-haired-men-look-like-blondes-who-ve/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) Browse all 149 Barns quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have often been reminded of the wild duck that came down on migration into a barnyard and liked it so well that he stayed there. In the fall his erstwhile companions passed overhead and his first impulse was to rise and join them, but he had fed too well and could rise no higher than the eaves of the barn. 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