To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes
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Source: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change.
Context
Leave it to To Kill a Mockingbird to drop a profound life lesson in such a downhome way. And leave it to Atticus Finch to know what's up and to set his daughter straight.
Here's the sitch: Scout gave Cecil a beating at school for calling her father bad names. Atticus is aware that this is just the beginning of what he and his family will have to endure as he takes on his unwinnable case, and so he gives Scout some much needed advice about how to keep her cool in the face of adversity.
Where you've heard it
This one's all about pride and self-discipline. You'll hear it when someone is advocating a non-violent approach to dealing with conflict or ridicule.
Like when people try take your goat.
Oh, that's not what that means?
Pretentious Factor
If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.
Not beating someone up because of a disagreement has sounded like a pretty good idea ever since the Middle Ages.