Even if it hadn’t paid off, I’d still be a rebel because that’s what is deep in my soul. Lead, follow, or get the F out of the way.[/quote]
I don’t think that quote fits a rebel at all. In fact, the first time I heard that quote as a teenager, I called it the “herd mentality” philosophy. According to that philosophy, nobody who is doing anything would be doing his own thing. They’d either be leading a crowd or part of a crowd. A rebel does his own thing. He’s certainly not following anyone. He’s not getting out of the way. He’s not really leading anyone, either. He’s doing his own thing, regardless of whether anyone else agrees with him or follows him or not.
Some rebels are leaders, but only because others choose to follow them. But that’s not their goal. Their goal is to do what they want, indifferent as to whether anyone follows. A “rebel leader,” i.e. leader of rebels, isn’t really a rebel at all. Not as an individual. He’s not just part of a movement, he’s the leader of it.
Also left out of that philosophy is the lone wolf. A close relative of the rebel, he more quietly goes about making the world a better place (or worse, or whatever his deal is), and he doesn’t need anybody’s help doing it. He’s not in your face, but he won’t “get out of the way” if you try to push him off of doing what he’s doing. He does all this without concern over what others think, just like the rebel. But maybe less boldly or shrilly or noticeably.
