No nice men are good at getting taxis.

Hearken, O seeker, to the words of Katharine Whitehorn, whose wit clothed wisdom in the garments of humor: “No nice men are good at getting taxis.” Though light upon the tongue, this saying is heavy with meaning, for it reveals the eternal struggle between gentleness and assertiveness, between the courtesy of the kind-hearted and the boldness demanded by the world. It is not merely about taxis, nor about the city’s bustle—it is a parable of life itself.

For what is a taxi, if not a symbol of opportunity, fleeting and contested in the crowded streets of existence? And what is the nice man, if not he who hesitates, who waves politely while another thrusts forward, who yields space rather than seizing it? Thus, in the pursuit of life’s chances, those who are overly gentle often stand aside while the bolder take the prize. The saying speaks, therefore, to the paradox of goodness: that in a world where strength is rewarded, kindness without firmness may leave one empty-handed.

History offers us countless mirrors of this truth. Consider the fall of the Athenian statesman Nicias during the Peloponnesian War. He was known as gentle, prudent, and humane—truly a nice man among the ferocious. Yet when boldness was required in the campaign against Syracuse, he faltered, yielding too much to hesitation, until the fleet was lost and Athens humbled. Meanwhile, his rivals, fierce and unscrupulous, though less noble, seized opportunities with reckless vigor. The lesson resounds: to be only kind, without the steel of decisiveness, is to lose the chariot of fortune as surely as the hesitant man loses the taxi in the rain.

Nor is this truth bound only to war. Reflect upon the simple struggles of daily life. Have you not seen, in crowded streets, the man of courtesy standing with hand raised meekly, as taxis pass him by, while another shouts, waves, and steps into the road, securing the ride? In that moment, the world honors not politeness but presence, not meekness but mastery. The nice man, fearing to trouble others, is left in the cold. It is a small tale, but it echoes the greater pattern of existence.

Yet let us not despise niceness, for in it dwells compassion, which the harsh world sorely needs. Rather, let us learn to marry courtesy with courage, kindness with firmness. Was not Abraham Lincoln both gentle in spirit and unyielding in purpose? He who spoke softly and carried the burden of mercy was also the man who, with unshakable resolve, preserved the Union. He was no seeker of taxis, but his life teaches us this balance: one may be good and yet strong, kind and yet unmovable when fate demands.

Therefore, O listener, the teaching is this: the world rewards those who reach forth with boldness. To be nice is noble, but to be nice without strength is to surrender life’s opportunities. Do not let your gentleness make you invisible, nor your courtesy render you powerless. When the moment comes to raise your hand, raise it high. When the chance draws near, step forth without fear. Let your kindness shine in your dealings, but let your courage seize the ride of destiny.

Practical is this wisdom. Train thyself to act without delay, to speak when silence would lose the moment, to claim what is rightly thine without apology. If the city offers a thousand taxis of opportunity, let not thy hesitation allow them all to pass. Blend thy politeness with presence, thy humility with confidence. In this way, thou shalt honor both virtue and strength, securing not only the taxi in the storm, but the greater prizes of life.

Thus remember: no nice men are good at getting taxis—unless they learn to wed niceness with boldness. Take this teaching into thy heart, and let it guide thee in the crowded streets of destiny, where the ride is swift, the chances fleeting, and the soul of the bold alone secures the journey.