--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no such thing as a dog" description: "\"“There is no such thing as a dog”\" — Wei Wu Wei" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png" --- # There is no such thing as a dog ![“There is no such thing as a dog” quote by Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png) > ““There is no such thing as a dog”” [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The concept of a dog is a mental construct, not an absolute reality. **In simple terms:** Dogs exist only in our minds. Key Takeaway Question assumptions about reality. Themes philosophy perception language ontology Mood thoughtful provocative Type philosophical inquisitive When to use this quote - debating reality - mindfulness practice - teaching philosophy Key Concepts subjectivity conceptualization Questions to Reflect On - How do language shape our perception? - Can we separate concept from object? A Different Perspective Some may argue dogs have physical existence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Thing Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-dog-566504/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not particularly pre-occupied with the husband / baby thing. Besides I have a dog.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calista-flockhart/i-m-not-particularly-pre-occupied-with-the-husband-baby-thing-besides/) [Calista Flockhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calista-flockhart/) > [You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/you-can-say-any-fool-thing-to-a-dog-and-the-dog-will-just-give-you/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [“The best thing about a dog is that no matter what, he always welcomes you home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginny-aiken/the-best-thing-about-a-dog-is-that-no-matter-what-he-always-welcomes/) [Ginny Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginny-aiken/) > [If I thought, had any idea, that I'd ever be a slave again, I'd take a gun an' jus end it all right away.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fountain-hughes/if-i-thought-had-any-idea-that-i-d-ever-be-a-slave-again-i-d-take-a/) [Fountain Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fountain-hughes/) > [“I saw the whole thing! A dog and a penguin helped him escape!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cantero/i-saw-the-whole-thing-a-dog-and-a-penguin-helped-him-escape/) [Edgar Cantero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cantero/) > [You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, 'My God, you're RIGHT! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/you-can-say-any-fool-thing-to-a-dog-and-the-dog-will-give-you-this/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [It is a much more straightforward thing to be a dog, and a dog's love, once given, is not reconsidered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-mckinley/it-is-a-much-more-straightforward-thing-to-be-a-dog-and-a-dog-s-love/) [Robin McKinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-mckinley/) > [Aggression is not a breed thing. Its a state of mind, and it comes from how the human is with the dog. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/aggression-is-not-a-breed-thing-its-a-state-of-mind-and-it-comes-from/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [“A year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, ending in 2009 and published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science (Elsevier), showed that aggressive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-custo/a-year-long-study-by-the-university-of-pennsylvania-ending-in-2009/) [Edward Custo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-custo/) > [A shoe dog is somebody that really loves shoes, and that was me. I was a runner... that became important to me, and it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-knight/a-shoe-dog-is-somebody-that-really-loves-shoes-and-that-was-me-i-was/) [Phil Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-knight/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [It is a fool of a shepherd who culls his dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jefferson-smith/it-is-a-fool-of-a-shepherd-who-culls-his-dogs/) [Jefferson Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jefferson-smith/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) ## More by Wei Wu Wei > [The Saint is a man who disciplines his ego. The Sage is a man who rids himself of his ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/the-saint-is-a-man-who-disciplines-his-ego-the-sage-is-a-man-who-rids/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [Disciples and devotees…what are most of them doing? Worshipping the teapot instead of drinking the tea!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/disciples-and-devotees-what-are-most-of-them-doing-worshipping-the/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [Realisation is a matter of becoming conscious of that which is already realised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/realisation-is-a-matter-of-becoming-conscious-of-that-which-is/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [“It is only the artificial ego that suffers. The man who has transcended his false “me” no longer identifies himself with his suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/it-is-only-the-artificial-ego-that-suffers-the-man-who-has/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [We ourselves are not an illusory part of Reality; rather are we Reality itself illusorily conceived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/we-ourselves-are-not-an-illusory-part-of-reality-rather-are-we/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [What do you have to do? Pack your bags, Go to the station without them, Catch the train, And leave your self behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/what-do-you-have-to-do-pack-your-bags-go-to-the-station-without-them/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [THIS which is seeking is THAT which is sought, and THAT which is sought is THIS which is seeking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/this-which-is-seeking-is-that-which-is-sought-and-that-which-is/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [As long as there is a 'you' doing or not-doing, thinking or not-thinking, 'meditating' or 'not-meditating' you are no closer to home than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/as-long-as-there-is-a-you-doing-or-not-doing-thinking-or-not-thinking/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [Doctrines, scriptures, sutras, essays, are not to be regarded as systems to be followed. They merely contribute to understanding. They should be for us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/doctrines-scriptures-sutras-essays-are-not-to-be-regarded-as-systems/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [As long as one accepts 'time' tacitly as such he is dreaming a drea, not living a life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/as-long-as-one-accepts-time-tacitly-as-such-he-is-dreaming-a-drea-not/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [Are you still thinking, looking, living, as from an imaginary phenomenal centre? As long as you do that you can never recognise your freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/are-you-still-thinking-looking-living-as-from-an-imaginary-phenomenal/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [In order to be effective truth must penetrate like an arrow - and that is likely to hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/in-order-to-be-effective-truth-must-penetrate-like-an-arrow-and-that/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [It is less what one is that should matter, than what one is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/it-is-less-what-one-is-that-should-matter-than-what-one-is-not/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [We imagine that waking-life is real and that dream-life is unreal, but there does not seem to be any evidence for this belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/we-imagine-that-waking-life-is-real-and-that-dream-life-is-unreal-but/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) > [The seeing of Truth cannot be dualistic (a 'thing' seen). It cannot be seen by a see-er, or via a see-er. There can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/the-seeing-of-truth-cannot-be-dualistic-a-thing-seen-it-cannot-be/) [Wei Wu Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) [Explore all 43 Wei Wu Wei quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [When grubbing for necessities man is still an animal. He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“There is no such thing as a dog”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Wei Wu Wei" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d44/wei-wu-wei-15520_animal_there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog-2647519_2647519.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is no such thing as a dog” — Wei Wu Wei", "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": "Wei Wu Wei", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wei-wu-wei/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“There is no such thing as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wei-wu-wei/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-dog/#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 } } ] } ```