31 Donkey Quotes To Make You Smile And Think (2025)

Donkeys are widely known both for their distinct laughter and for being stubborn. But can these common perceptions change by exploring donkey quotes? Absolutely, yes! Our collection of carefully selected quotes allows us to appreciate these lovable creatures in a new light, see their surprising depths, and join in their amusement.

Table of contents:

Best Donkey Quotes About Our Relationship With Them

Donkeys have been on our side for over five millennia¹. Their strength and adaptability made them essential for heavy loads and agriculture tasks. Moreover, their intelligence and calm nature, often mistaken for stubbornness, made them indispensable companions.

These resilient animals developed a bond with humans that goes beyond simple utility. Donkeys are known for their gentle temperament and patience, becoming more than just workers but also friends. In modern times, their tranquil nature and appearance have found a new purpose in animal-assisted interventions². What a great therapy option!

To kick things off, here are some of our favorite donkey quotes about our close relationship with them. And to learn more, head to our donkey facts next.

"A donkey is a very useful beast of burden."
- Lawrence Wright

"Donkeys are the most misunderstood and abused animals around the world."
- Bonnie Jo Campbell

"Dangling a carrot in front of a donkey—or anyone else for that matter—is not nice, and not fair, unless you eventually plan to give it up to them."
- Vera Nazarian

"Based on my experience, it's considerably difficult to force a donkey into doing something it perceives to be dangerous for whatever reason."
- Maurizio Cattelan

Thought-Provoking Quotes About Donkeys And Their Characteristics

Due to their characteristics, donkeys symbolize strength and humility. Their ability to bear burdens across harsh landscapes showcases their enduring spirit. At the same time, certain cultures view the donkey as a symbol of foolishness. This view came from an ancient Greek connection between donkeys and ignorance. But isn't it intriguing how one animal can embody such contrasting traits?

Through their duality, donkeys encourage us to explore our own biases. Like a mirror, they reflect our virtues and vices, prompting us to accept our complexities. So, let's embrace the lesson of the humble equine with our next selection of quotes about donkeys pitch to make you think.

"If somebody tells you you have ears like a donkey, pay no attention. But if two people tell you, buy yourself a saddle."
- Sholom Aleichem

"Learning without wisdom is a load of books on a donkey’s back."
- Zora Neale Hurston

"Never take advice from a donkey."
- Bryce Courtenay

"Heaven is the place where the donkey finally catches up with his carrot: hell is the eternity while he waits for it."
- Russell Green

"It’s hard for the donkeys to win the race if they’re going to carry the elephants on their backs."
- Jim Hightower

"Vanity is a confounded donkey, very apt to put his head between his legs, and chuck us over; but pride is a fine horse, that will carry us over the ground, and enable us to distance our fellow-travelers."
- Frederick Marryat

Noteworthy Quotes From Various Authors Featuring the Humble Donkey

With their various reputations, donkeys have traversed the pages of literature for centuries. Their presence in narratives often serves as a symbol, a metaphor, or a punchline. Take C.S. Lewis, for instance, who once wrote, "'The mouse is a fair treat, but this one would talk the hind legs off a donkey." 

This line is from a mouse character in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The mouse who talks so much, Reepicheep, could persuade a donkey to surrender its hind legs. This quote uses a donkey, known for its stubbornness, to underline the mouse's extraordinary persuasion power. The quotes below show how other authors integrate the donkey's various ways into their work.

"It is now your duty to hone that talent because a person who wastes his God-given talents is a donkey."
- Khaled Hosseini

"Have you ever seen a donkey smelling a beautiful rose? Donkeys aren’t interested in roses, they like thorn bushes or watermelon rinds!"
- Mehmet Murat Ildan

"The mouse is a fair treat but this one would talk the hind legs off a donkey."
- C. S. Lewis

"Let me see you ride a donkey over my green again, and as sure as you have a head upon your shoulders, I’ll knock your bonnet off, and tread upon it!"
- Charles Dickens

"If a donkey bray at you, don’t bray at him."
- George Herbert

"The carrot and the stick are prevasive and persuasive motivators. But if you treat people like donkeys, they will perform like donkeys."
- John Whitmore

Funny "Donkey" Quotes From The Shrek Movie

Now, how could we forget the famous Donkey from Shrek? This DreamWorks gem from 2001 featured Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy. The hit animated franchise started with a grumpy ogre, Shrek (Myers), faced with a quest to rescue Princess Fiona (Diaz), who is imprisoned in a dragon's lair. Layered with fairy tale creatures and a plan to marry Lord Farquaad, the plot thickens.

Eddie Murphy's character, Donkey, lights up the movie with humor. Even though Shrek tries to push him away, Donkey jumps right into his life. If you enjoy their funny and warm moments, reminisce about some parts of the film featuring Shrek and Donkey with some of Donkey's lines below. 

Related: Do you know the donkey's laugh is not a laugh at all?

"You might have seen a housefly, maybe even a superfly, but I bet you ain't never seen a donkey fly!"
- Donkey, Shrek

"This'll be fun. We'll stay up late, swapping manly stories, and in the morning… I'm making waffles!"
- Donkey, Shrek

"It is lovely! Just beautiful. You know, you are quite a decorator. It's amazing what you've done with such a modest budget. I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder."
- Donkey, Shrek

"Blue flower, red thorns. This would be so much easier if I wasn't color-blind!"
- Donkey, Shrek

Arrrgh! Help! Run! A big stupid ugly ogre! "They judge me before they even know me  - that's why I'm better off alone...

~ Shrek

Lord Farquaad: “What's that? It's hideous!”
Shrek: “Well, that's not very nice. It's just a donkey.”

"Let's get some parfait," they say, "Hell no, I don't like no parfait."? Parfaits are delicious!
Shrek : NO! You dense, irritating, miniature beast of burden! Ogres are like onions! End of story! Bye-bye! See ya later.
Donkey : Parfait's may be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet!

And I thought the waffle fairy was just a bedtime story!

~ Donkey

Iconic Quotes Showing "Donkey's" Other Side

Even when Shrek roars, Donkey remains oblivious and all smiles. But Donkey is not just about jokes. Sometimes, he shows a gentler, real side that adds to his character. His honest chats with Shrek make the story feel warmer, proving that even a funny, talkative nature like Donkey can be soft-hearted. 

Still laced with humor, check the remaining quotes exploring Donkey's softer side.