17 Goldfish Quotes About The Golden Gliders
Many people fondly remember a goldfish as their first pet, swimming idly in a bowl on the kitchen counter. Beyond that, these creatures also spark various metaphors, from the fishbowl's lack of privacy to short-term memory. So, in this article, explore our collection of goldfish quotes that dive into these comparisons.
Quick links to our selection of goldfish quotes:
Goldfish Quotes About The Fish In Our Homes
Goldfish have fascinated people for centuries with their shimmering scales and wide variety. Originating from East Asia's slow-moving and freshwater habitats, they have been kept as pets since the Tang dynasty. Their hardiness and vibrant colors make them popular not only among expert fishkeepers but also among first-time owners.
You can relate to the following quotes if you own one of these golden creatures. Before going to the pet shop, visit our article on goldfish facts first.
"A goldfish is reason enough for living, if someone needs a reason."
- Mason Cooley
"No one can feel as helpless as the owner of a sick goldfish"
- Kin Hubbard
"For all the bad things people say about the river — and most people see it as a giant sewer — the goldfish show the river can sustain life. It makes the whole idea more personal."
- Ed Reyes
"Goldfish have no memory, I guess their lives are much like mine. And the little plastic castle is a surprise everytime."
- Ani DiFranco
Metaphorical Quotes About The Goldfish Bowl
Living in a goldfish bowl often symbolizes a lack of privacy, where every action is visible to onlookers. This imagery points to the exposure and scrutiny that comes with open living, much like the experience of celebrities or public figures.
Other entries on this list teach us not to limit personal growth. There is a common belief that goldfish grow to match their tank size. The truth is its growth is determined by genetics, diet, and overall health.
Learn from the following quotes while keeping these facts in mind.
"Very few of us have any idea whatsoever of what life is like living in a goldfish bowl,except, of course, for those of us who are goldfish."
- Graham Taylor
"We all live in a televised goldfish bowl."
- Kingman Brewster Jr.
"If you have any interests you can gain a wider audience for those interests while the goldfish bowl is yours."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
"Most times a person grows up gradually, but I found myself in a hurry... Hoping to find an answer, I uncovered an article about the common goldfish. ‘Kept in a small bowl, the goldfish will remain small. With more space, the fish will double, triple, or quadruple in size.’ It occurred to me then that I was intended for larger things. After all, a giant man can't have an ordinary-sized life."
- John August
"A few years ago, the city council of Monza, Italy, barred pet owners from keeping goldfish in curved bowls... saying that it is cruel to keep a fish in a bowl with curved sides because, gazing out, the fish would have a distorted view of reality. But how do we know we have the true, undistorted picture of reality?"
- Stephen Hawking
"I might have been a goldfish in a glass bowl for all the privacy I got"
- H.H.Munro
"Be careful what you wish for if you desire fame. No human being should be a goldfish."
- Bill O'Reilly
More Goldfish Quotes With Other Metaphors
Beyond privacy, goldfish have other symbolic meanings. Another common one is the association with short-term memory, suggesting forgetfulness after a brief period. However, this is a myth. Research proves goldfish have a memory span of months, debunking the old notion of a less than ten-second recall.
Decipher each quote and compare it with the characteristics of the fish.
"There were hints of sunrise on the rim of the sky, yet it was still dark, and the traces of morning color were like goldfish swimming in ink."
- Truman Capote
"I have the financial morals of a goldfish, I can resist everything but temptation."
- Ruth St. Denis
"In my early career I was like a goldfish. Rejection didn't affect me; I'd just forget how bad it was and keep going back for more."
- Emily Watson
"He'd failed them, the swimming goldfish of his life's tiny existence whom he held so dear in his heart; he'd turned his muses into mistakes and no one knew the difference but him."
- Luke Taylor
"You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It's a goldfish. It's got a 10 second memory. Be a goldfish."
- Ted Lasso
"Your husband drinks too much if he says he never drinks alone, but considers the goldfish somebody."
- Phyllis Diller
Isabela is a determined millennial passionate about continuously seeking out ways to make an impact. With a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering with honors, Isabela’s research expertise and interest in artistic works, coupled with a creative mindset, offers readers a fresh take on different environmental, social, and personal development topics.
