96. DR. SEUSS: Those who mind, don’t matter
December 13th, 2012
Yay, another Dr Seuss quote! (Here’s my first) He has so many beautiful quotes that I could probably start a new site dedicated to just adapting his words (I’ve thought about it, seriously). Even though this is one of his most well-known quotes and it’s attributed to him all over the internet and even in print, Wikipedia claims it’s actually from Bernard Baruch. I don’t know who to believe – if anyone can help, please leave a comment.
UPDATE: Thanks to readers for providing this link which investigates the origin of the quote – looks like there’s no definitive source.
Thanks to Lucrezia, Leslie and Megan for submitting this quote.
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You gotta stop making me cry. It’s hard to see the artwork when I’m all misty-eyed!
Me too! This is one of my favorite quotes, and this just made it so much more…
Someone has been cutting onions around here. but WHO?
It’s the ninjas from the Onion clan!
Respect=Gained
Nice touch choosing telling this story with two girls, in opposition to the other comic you did about friendship about two guys, this show your planing, even if it is not really planned, and by the way you would recomend Dr. Seuss now or you still haven’t read anything of him?
*Welcome back Home BTW*
Nice quote, just one problem. It’ snot seuss, it’s Bernard M. Baruch.
Often misattributed, but still a great quote.
Yes but I believe that Seuss was quoting Baruch in momentum.
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” – Seuss
“I never bother about that. Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.” – Beruch
I’d say it was appropriate for Seuss to quote him seeing as it was a piece of dialogue.
I do not want to get bogged down in nitpickery, as it’s a great quote with a great comic to go with it.
I’ve had my said, it’s up to Gav if he wants to change it or not.
It’s actually not credited to anyone. Its first recorded statement was in the 1930s and was not accredited to anyone, but was implied to be well-known. It was stated as an implied anonymous tidbit of wisdom.
Several of the quotes commonly attributed to Dr. Seuss are definitely not his (e.g. “We’re all a little weird” and so on).
For this particular quote, reference: http://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/12/04/those-who-mind/
Thanks for the link – I’ll just go with anonymous and remove Dr. Seuss’s name from the comic.
Seems like Dr. Seuss was doing what you are doing now; putting wonderful pictures to words…
Well said, N!
Also, I always love your work.
Thank you for all that you do.
I always get this cold chill when reading your comics, and it happened again. You’re a brilliant comic artist and my hat goes off to you sir.
Also, love the second shot!
Wonderfully done. Powerful.
Kudos Gav! another great comic…
too bad, din’t like the concept very much,
but I like your other comics though..
oh btw, I almost forgot.. welcome back! xD
why do you not like it?
Is it the homosexual overtone?
I am curious.
truly impressive….I’m touched by the love.
This one made me tear up…I love her expression in the last panel, like “I can’t believe I was so stupid, of course Mum still loves me and who cares about the rest.”
My name is Kathy Bernet and I never received my March issue of Light Spinner. Can you check to see if it’s been maelid out? My home address is 707 E. Spring Drive, Ozark, MO 65721
Thanks, it’s good to be home …. actually no, I’d still rather be in Bangkok sipping Mai Thais
I think the sad song + this comic combo managed to make me cry.
Man you always make me cry in joy.
me too!
I’ve smiled a lot with your comics, but this is the first one to really make me cry. I went through those panels, but in reverse. Without my friends around I don’t know if I’d even be here.
Wow, this is so touching, thank you once again for great art!
Finally you did it!!!!!
thank you so much!!! it is beautiful!
As someone who has gone through that, I can say it is a beautiful.
How I wish I could email it to my-13-year-old-self .
I like the spirit of the quote, but it’s not always true in practice. I’m gay. My parents mind; my husband’s parents mind. I wish they didn’t mind, but they do. But we all still matter a lot each other.
Thanks Mike, I know the mother’s reaction isn’t realistic for a lot of people – I guess the message is good in theory and not always in practice. I just hope seeing it depicted can have a positive effect for some readers.
It might be more accurate to say, “It doesn’t matter that others mind…” but then I can’t think of a counterpoint that’s a concise and witty as the original.
Maybe: “It doesn’t matter that others mind, but even if they mind, they still matter.” That’s the best I’ve got.
It has been asked… what is the worse failure as a parent.. giving birth to a gay child, or disowning the child for being gay?
This quote, to me, means “find those that matter to you, accept who you are and love you anyway.”
It has been said, and it is true, “A friend is someone who knows all about you and likes you anyway.”
I fail to see how the first is a failure in any way.
That’s the whole point of it. The type of person to see the first part as a failure would fail to see the second part as one and vice versa. Its a question to get a hint of how someone perceives the subject. The answer is more telling then just the answer : )
Superbly done as always. Reading your comic is one of the high points in my week.
That one made me cry Gav.
this looks like the girl from ‘litany against fear’?
This comic reminds of a fear inside me. Your comics touch the most sensitive issues.
I don’t know if I should thank you, or stop reading your comics.
do NOT stop reading these comics.. rather ask yourself “why does this make me feel this way?”
Take it as a chance to grow and become a better person.
Really impressive and innovative the way you chose this story to tell with that quote.
Just want to put it out there, I was really worried checking the site (at least twice) yesterday without a quote up. Welcome back! I forgot you were on vacation. And I actually love this depiction–I’ve met parents who were and have been accepting and so having their child come out of the closet didn’t force them to change their own worldview but only to accept their child’s sexuality, which is easier when they already embrace adults of that sexuality. (Not denying that a lot of parents don’t adjust so easily, but I don’t want you thinking what you’ve drawn is impossible.)
major kira?!
Beautiful. Thanks for this.
Please stop making dust appear in my eyes. You have done that with so many of your comics, and they are so wonderful. They encourage me to try to do something with my life (along with some family members who have done the same), and I am going to start trying something better, instead of what I have. It’s worth taking the risk.
Hey Gav, your comics adds a new perspective to the quote. Touching.
Welcome back!
Great work, its beautiful^_^ thanks
Dear Gavin, thank’s a lot for your comics. I’ve read all of it, from the begining, and this is actually my first comment here.
Today’s work broaden my mind a little, as well as all of your works.
Best wishes to you,
Vladimir Zh.
Love it!
superb!!! keep up the good work Gav.
I for one fully support another site dedicated to Dr. Seuss comics if you do decide to do it.
I think this should be next man. Life changing quote for me, reminds me of the above.
“Hate is a wasteful emotion, most of the people you hate don’t know you hate them and the rest don’t care.”
? Medgar Evers
Well done Gavin, my daughter will appreciate this.
That is a lie. Homosexuality is shame for our generation.
Think is right but it is wrong. Woman has to relate to man.
For your own sake and the people around you, I hope you soon see the truth-love is beautiful, beauty is to be celebrated, no matter what the form.
The mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open. But this isn’t a matter of tolerance, it’s common sense.
I can only hope that you don’t teach your values to your children.
And the fact that people feel society can accept them and have the bravery and pride to be who they are is, in my opinion, the PRIDE of our generation.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6
We need to teach the Bible to our children.
I want to have my family and making sure not to end my family with homosexuality, drugs and so many bad things.
I think we differ on the ways we believe a child should go. When I was young, I was taught respect, tolerance, love and above all else, to be true to myself and never try to be something I’m not. I’ve gone through life knowing that, no matter what, my family will always be there for me and support me. I intend to raise my future children the same way.
To me, this is a far better upbringing than the one you describe-always being afraid to do something Daddy doesn’t approve of. The best people in this world have been revolutionaries.
Your love for your family is commendable, don’t get me wrong, but I fail to see how homosexuality makes anyone less of a person. In fact in my experience, they are more caring and brave than others, due to what they’ve been through. More of people like these, and less intolerance, and the world will be a better place.
Drugs, I agree with you on. They can ruin lives if misused. But homosexuality, bisexuality, transgendered people…they’re all just human, and they deserve love.
As for the Bible…well, generally kids grow up to be adults who follow the values they were taught in childhood. But I’m afraid I disagree with nearly everything else in that book. I’m an atheist.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.Proverbs 22:6
I was trained up to be a christian, but then when I got older I DID depart from it. This is a very minor example of something in your book that is clearly false. Are you trying to say that people won’t be critical of things that they are taught as children? Some will and some won’t.
Borges, maybe you should check out this translation, it’s a little bit different: http://queenjamesbible.com/
Gav, I really enjoy your comics. You’ve done some of my favorites (especially George Carlin). Would you ever do Hitchens?
“Woman has to relate to man.”
… Why exactly?
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.
In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.Romans 1:26-27
Just to remind you, that wearing a glass is also not natural.
Using your car instead of walk is also not natural.
your argument is invalid.
Love is beautiful. No matter what.
Just to remind you, a family with a man and woman is natural and perfect.
You have wrong thoughts because the love between a man and a woman is natural.
Your argument is based on the Bible. Tell me, do you cut your hair?
Borges, You seem to think that a bunch of propaganda written by a bunch of bronze age primitives is somehow relevant to the 21st century.
If we were to live like it states in your bible, you would probably have been stoned to death for wearing a cotton-poly blend t-shirt, shaving your beard, touching a women during her menses, or eating a bowl of clam chowder. You need to realize that Love is Love, the gender of those involved is not a factor.
THANK YOU.
…I probably shouldn’t let myself get this annoyed by idiots on the internet…
Romans 1:26-27 is talking about the punishment for idolatry: you will be forced to do things that are against your nature. It doesn’t necessarily condemn homosexuality. In fact, since homosexuality may be genetic, it could be construed as supporting homosexuality.
Alright, just very generally if you think something wrong or sinful. (I don’t say it’s wrong or right.)
But if you think that, then the best thing to do is, not do it yourself. And treat everybody who does (and also everyone else) with the most love you can.
I think that’s in the spirit of what Jesus might tell you, if that’s helpful for you.
After all, even if someone does sth wrong, who is going to listen to you if the first thing you say is that you don’t like them…
(PS:But hey, if you are omniscient and without any fault, then nevermind you are of course free to judge and I beg your pardon.)
PPS: I have several ideals I live after, like having a low-carbon footprint living healthy, only consuming what I need and loving my neighbour. However, should one of my kids not live to these or other standards. I will tell them how I feel and what I think, but love them just the same.
ONE OF THE BEST comics that you’ve done. Thank you so much. I’ll print it and put it in my living room:)
I’m reading through all of the wonderful comments and feeling happy and then the hate filled troll had to speak up.
Dude, he wasn’t hateful, that’s just how he feels, keeping with the spirit of this post, who are we to judge what someone else feels like about sth.
Reading your posts, I more and more get the feeling you want to seem open-minded, but you apparently have a very strict set of things that you believe.
I love this comic. I recently wrote a paper comparing Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides to what teens go through in regards to bullying and media pressure, especially in regards to sexuality. I used the same quote as the cover of the paper.
Also I absolutely love your drawing style.
I like how not only are you mixing homosexuality into this, but also biracial relationships, which is another taboo for some people.
Someone else noticed too!
Thank you, Great message Gav. As a gay man I know it’s not always the way the real world works. However any positive message like yours can not do anything but help!! Thanks again Gav.
Sin!
Abomination!
Nah, just kidding.
Great work, as usual, Gavin.
Seriously beautiful. The pacing of the ending is spot on.
Oh my… This is so touching and beautiful. I wish there were more positive comics like this :3
These where already one of my fav webcomics in the world.
This just pretty much pushed them up in my love list.
Holy crap Im crying now
Hey dude, i’ve read all of your comics so far and all i can say is that your comics inspire me, and it makes me happy just to know that there are people like you in the world, can i make just a suggestion, it would be awesome if you also did some comics about lyrics from great musicians and songs such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles or Nirvana haha
Now that’s a great idea! Some lyrics can be as inspiring as famous quotes. I think that adapting lyrics to a comic can be a bit more chalenging though. Still I think Gav would enjoy the chalenge.
THIS. In a print. Soon. Pleaseeeee? This is wonderful beyond words.
This looks EXACTLY like my ex-girlfriend and I in our sophomore/junior years of high school. Exactly our story. This made me cry.
I read this earlier and couldn’t cry because my mother was watching me.
Now I can and I’m bawling.
Dammit Gav I didn’t cry the first time or the second time I read it, but the third time did me in. Your work is too good I can’t control my emotions
Amazing Gav. Your ability to depict emotion through picture is, so far as I’ve known, unrivaled. No words can adequately describe the mastery (or at least skill) of expression you have attained.
A powerful and poignant comic to attach with a profound quote. Really, really inspiring stuff. I love that you weren’t afraid to express the openness of sexuality, despite the mixed opinions of it. It was surprising, and touching, to see a depiction of love so pure. My heart really warmed at the last panel.
Thanks for another great piece.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.
In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Romans 1:26-27
Seriously???
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
The only time I will EVER quote the Bible.
The love in comic is the sexual love and the love in this part of Bible is the Love of God.
You need to study the Bible more before talking about these issues.
“Love one another.” So, basically, humans are God, if the love referenced is the love of God.
I studied the bible once. It made me a tolerant, loving, decent and thoughtful atheist. I then threw it away and read many, many better books.
This.
thank you for quoting this, Gav. I’m a Christian, and I despise what Borges is doing. he’s giving a bad name to the rest of us who still remember this quote from John 13.
Romans 1:26-27 is talking about the punishment for idolatry: you will be forced to do things that are against your nature. It doesn’t necessarily condemn homosexuality. In fact, since homosexuality may be genetic, it could be construed as supporting homosexuality.
Four things run through my head when reading this comic and the comments:
1) I love this comic (as well as most, if not all, of your other ones).
2) Sorry… *sniff* my allergies appear to be acting up.
3) Borges seems to be saying that he minds. Looking over the quote again, leads to an obvious conclusion.
4) I was heavily bullied growing up. I eventually came to realize that I didn’t have to care about the opinions of those who would belittle me. I’d keep a core group of friends/family/loved ones whose opinion mattered to me and I’d just ignore any critical remarks from any others. I just wish I could go back and read this quote to High School Me so he could learn the lesson a few years earlier.
Love this one, Gav. Really simple but lovely. You nailed it again.
These may not be your words, but the way you bring them to life, the way you paint the world with them inspires me. Thank you for your work.
Hey Gav, Beautiful as usual!
I’d like to think that it would work this way for everyone, but we all know that the world doesn’t
To me, this particular saying has always meant that those who will judge you and turn on you for being who you are move themselves into the ‘don’t matter’ category.
And speaking of, this Borges twit has placed himself firmly in the ‘Doesn’t Matter’ category, A.F.A.I.C..
Really, since I found u, all your comics are special, and interesting, and so so so love, sorry if my english is so bad, but I really LOVE your comics <3
I went through every single picture/saying today.
You’re wonderful.
I cried at almost every single one.
I actually agree with Borges: things should be natural!
So let’s take a look at what is “natural”. I think that we can all agree that animals are natural.
In the animal kingdom, homosexual behavior has been observed in nearly every known species, and well documented for several hundreds of species.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals and http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616122106.htm
However, there have been zero (0!) obeservations of any animal worshipping some “higher being”, be it God or Allah or Jaweh or the hundreds of Gods from the Hinduism, the Valhalla, etc. – or something as Bhudism or reincarnation. Animals have never been seen to be concerned about this.
So yes, as Borges already said, just let’s keep things natural!
This is one of my most favorite quotes ever, and at first I thought your approach to it would just be one of friendship, but I got a happy surprise when I realized it lead to something deeper. This is really a great one! I love it
Great site, great works of art, great…. just great! Really inspiring. Love the ‘Invictus’ work and I love this piece!!
BTW: That guy in the second frame, who’s picking his nose: Nice touch.
This one is wonderful-I cried all the bittersweet nostalgic tears-it’s like you looked into my past and illustrated scenes directly from it, private school uniforms, laughing/mocking girls, tears, wonderfully loving mother and all.
Thank you for pulling at my heart strings in all the right ways
STOP MAKING ME CRY, GAVIN! ::(
I love this so much! Thank you for always sharing!
Same sex, and interracial. I love it all! Great good!
you got me crying again, GAV!!!!
Your work never ceases to amaze and inspire. Keep it up!
I would visit that site always! ?
I can’t tell you how many people can appreciate this. Going through a similar situation myself, this is simply inspiring. Such an elegant though and depicted flawlessly in art. Thank you for making this.
My gorgeous fiancée Sammi showed me this, it’s so beautiful and so very true
GD it! 96 comics and you finally managed to tear me up!
this would be nice if it were true
Your work is brilliant as usual, but I don’t quite agree with this quote. I feel it’s not said properly, has massive chances to be taken negatively.
Personally feels like whoever minds something that you’re doing should stop mattering to you.
Fact remains – your work is fabulous!
Great great work!
Yes, ok, very nice comic. Buuutt, many people, e.g. homosexuals suffer rejection from people who matter a great deal to them, e.g. their parents/grandparents. Even if they emotionally don’t matter, they might matter by threatening to withold financial support, etc if they don’t agree with something the child does.
dat guy picking his nose tho
I wish I had had a love or a parent like this in my life.
Soon to be 34 years old and I am still hiding from the world, and sometimes myself.
A Transgender Woman
Lesbians look great in porn but in real life 93% are ugly