"Being born in a stable does not make one a horse"
- Duke of Wellington
About this Quote
The Duke of Wellington's quote is a metaphor for the idea that one's environment does not always identify one's identity. He is suggesting that just because somebody is born in a particular location or circumstance, it does not mean that they are destined to be a particular kind of person. This quote can be analyzed as a pointer that we all have the power to pick our own courses in life, regardless of our situations. It is a reminder that we are all capable of making our own choices and producing our own fates. The Duke of Wellington's quote is a reminder that we must not let our environment define us, but rather, we should make every effort to specify ourselves. We ought to not let our scenarios restrict us, but instead, we must make every effort to take advantage of our lives and create our own destinies.
"Give these Indians little farms, survey them, let them put fences around them, let them have their own horses, cows, sheep, things that they can call their own, and it will do away with tribal Indians"