T.V. has made going to the theatre seem pointless, photography has pretty much killed painting but graffiti has remained gloriously unspoilt by progress.
BanksyRead
If you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that if one feels lowly or unwanted, one can take inspiration from rats, who live freely and defy societal norms.
Banksy's quote uses the metaphor of rats to convey a message about embracing one's own existence and rejecting societal expectations. It highlights how rats, often seen as undesirable, live unapologetically and can serve as a reminder for individuals feeling neglected or unappreciated to assert their place in the world without seeking validation or adhering to social hierarchies.
Themes
RatsFreedomSocietyExistenceRebellion
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about embracing one's true self.
More from Banksy
All quotes →I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I'm not sure I like it enough.
BanksyRead
Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub, you know, the one opposite that wall with a picture of a monkey holding a chainsaw". I mean, how much more useful can a painting be than that?
BanksyRead
Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a f**king sharp knife to it.
BanksyRead
Gaza is often described as 'the world's largest open air prison' because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons - they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
BanksyRead
A lot of mothers will do anything for their children, except let them be themselves.
BanksyRead
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