Bite Quote by Vasko Popa
““Race Some bite from the others A leg an arm or whatever Take it between their teeth Run out as fast as they can Cover it up with earth The others scatter everywhere Sniff look sniff look Dig up the whole earth If they are lucky and find an arm Or leg or whatever It's their turn to bite The game continues at a lively pace As long as there are arms As long as there are legs As long as there is anything””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Collected Poems, 1975
A grotesque, cyclical metaphor for violence where each victim becomes the aggressor, perpetuating endless bloodshed.
In simple terms: Violence repeats as victims become attackers.
Key Takeaway
Recognize cycles of aggression to break them.
Themes
violence
cycle
survival
human nature
Mood
dark
grim
reflective
Type
poetic
cautionary
When to use this quote
- war
- family conflict
- gang violence
- revenge
- social upheaval
Key Concepts
power dynamics
retribution
survival instinct
Questions to Reflect On
- How does each act of aggression shape the next?
- Can empathy interrupt this cycle?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex social causes of violence.
