The quote reflects the harsh realities of life, comparing human interactions and struggles to violent metaphors. It suggests that people often respond to challenges and conflicts with aggression, symbolically shooting messengers or punishing failures, much like flogging a dead horse. This imagery implies that instead of constructive dialogue, individuals resort to destructive actions.

By framing life in this way, the author, Alexander McCall Smith, highlights the often brutal nature of competition and the lengths to which people will go to assert dominance or deal with setbacks. It presents a sobering perspective on human behavior, where confrontation seems inevitable and the consequences of one’s actions can be grim. This reflection invites readers to consider the underlying motivations and brutalities present in everyday life.