Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.
John SteinbeckRead
A journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policies and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The journey itself shapes our experiences and personal growth, rather than merely being a means to an end.
This quote by John Steinbeck suggests that every journey we undertake is unique and transformative. It acknowledges that while we often make meticulous plans for our lives and travels, the true essence of any journey comes from the experiences and lessons it imparts to us, highlighting the importance of embracing the unpredictability of life.
Themes
JourneyExperienceTransformationLifeGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to remind students that life is about the journey they take, not just their final achievements.
More from John Steinbeck
All quotes →At one point, as Samuel urges Adam to raise his boys well regardless of the blood that might be in them, Adam tells him, "You can't make a race horse of a pig." Samuel replies, "No, but you can make a very fast pig.
John SteinbeckRead
And when that crop grew, and was harvested, no man had crumbled a hot clod in his fingers and let the earth sift past his fingertips. No man had touched the seed, or lusted for the growth. Men ate what they had not raised, had no connection with the bread. The land bore under iron, and under iron gradually died; for it was not loved or hated, it had no prayers or curses.
John SteinbeckRead
The comfortable people in tight houses felt pity at first, and then distaste, and finally hatred for the migrant people.
John SteinbeckRead
People do not want advice - they want corroboration.
John SteinbeckRead
It is one of the triumphs of the human that he can know a thing and still not believe it.
John SteinbeckRead
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