When you call upon a Thoroughbred, he gives you all the speed

Hear these words, O seekers of discernment, from Patricia Neal, who declared: “When you call upon a Thoroughbred, he gives you all the speed, strength of heart and sinew in him. When you call on a jackass, he kicks.” In this sharp contrast lies wisdom about character, loyalty, and the nature of true greatness. For when a person—or a beast—possesses nobility of spirit, they give wholly of themselves when summoned. But when one is small-minded, stubborn, or unrefined, they lash out instead of rising to the call.

The origin of Neal’s words springs from her own life, one marked by triumph and tragedy. As an actress who endured personal trials, including grave illness and loss, she knew what it meant to call upon others in times of need. She learned that some souls, like the Thoroughbred, respond to hardship with generosity, resilience, and courage. Others, like the jackass, reveal their pettiness, striking out rather than supporting. Thus, her metaphor reflects the eternal truth that adversity unveils character.

The image of the Thoroughbred is powerful: a creature bred for speed, endurance, and grace, who responds to the rider’s summons with every fiber of its being. It symbolizes loyalty, discipline, and the willingness to give all. By contrast, the jackass is stubborn and defensive, responding not with contribution but with resistance. In these two images, Neal sketches the spectrum of human response when called to duty or compassion.

History illustrates this wisdom. Consider the tale of Winston Churchill during the dark days of World War II. When Britain called upon him, he gave all his strength of heart and sinew, rallying his people with words and deeds that burned with courage. He was a Thoroughbred in his nation’s hour of need. Contrast this with others who, when faced with crisis, sought only self-preservation or petty quarrels, hindering rather than helping. Their reaction was the kick of the jackass, serving neither themselves nor the greater good.

Emotionally, Neal’s words pierce us because they remind us that life continually tests us. When friends, family, or society calls upon us, our response reveals our true nature. Do we rise, offering the fullness of our strength? Or do we resist, complain, and lash out, offering nothing but harm? Each of us carries the potential for both, but it is the cultivation of virtue, discipline, and compassion that turns us into Thoroughbreds rather than jackasses.

The lesson is timeless: strive to be the one who gives when called upon. Let your loyalty and courage be steadfast, so that when others depend on you, they find in you the strength of heart and sinew that uplifts rather than destroys. Remember that greatness is not measured by titles or wealth, but by how you respond when others need you most.

O seeker of wisdom, let this truth guide your days. Train yourself in generosity, humility, and strength. When life summons you, do not resist like the jackass, but give like the Thoroughbred, pouring forth all that you are. For in this giving lies the measure of true nobility, and in this nobility lies the legacy that will endure.

Finally, let the teaching stand through the ages: adversity reveals the soul. When called upon, show yourself a Thoroughbred, not with pride, but with devotion to others. For in giving all, you discover your truest self, and your name will be remembered not for the kick of refusal, but for the gallop of courage.