For centuries, humans have said to horses, 'You do what I tell you or I'll hurt you.' Humans still say that to each other -- still threaten, force and intimidate. I'm convinced that my discoveries with horses have value in the workplace, in the educational and penal systems, and in the raising of children. At heart, I'm saying that no one else has the right to say 'you must' to an animal -- or to another human.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of respect and understanding in relationships, rejecting intimidation and force as means of control.
Monty Roberts highlights the parallels between human-animal and human-human interactions, criticizing the use of threats and coercion to gain compliance. He advocates for a more compassionate approach, suggesting that true leadership and teaching should be rooted in mutual respect rather than fear, and acknowledges the broader implications of these ideas in various societal contexts.
In practice
During a team-building seminar, this quote can serve as a reminder to leaders about the importance of fostering a supportive and cooperative environment.
I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog of infancy. I survived a difficult childhood by traveling on the backs of horses, and in adulthood the pattern didn't change.
A good trainer can hear a horse speak to him. A great trainer can hear him whisper.
You must somehow understand that we as horsemen can do very little to teach the horse. What we can do is to create an environment in which he can learn.
What other people think of me is none of my business. One of the highest places you can get to is being independent of the good opinions of other people.
There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family. The teach the truth by living it.
The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning.
The lesson which life repeats and constantly enforces is 'look under foot.' You are always nearer the divine and the true sources of your power than you think.
It is easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song, but the man worth while is the one who will smile when everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, and it always comes with years, and the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through the tears.
You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you'll win, no matter what the outcome.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.