I feel sometimes as though I've never grown up. And that's great, because it means there are still possibilities. Nothing's free. You pay for whatever you get. But that's OK, because you can't be cheated.
Sterling HaydenRead
I've always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but I can't afford it. What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine — and before we know it our lives are gone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the dangers of prioritizing security over adventure, suggesting that a life devoted to routine can lead to a loss of fulfillment.
Sterling Hayden emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's dreams and desires, even if they come with risk and uncertainty. He critiques the societal obsession with security and routine, suggesting that this mindset can trap individuals in a mundane existence, ultimately causing them to miss out on the richness of life experiences and personal fulfillment. By contrasting the longing for adventure with the constraints of routine, Hayden encourages a reevaluation of how we spend our lives and what we truly value.
Themes
AdventureSecurityRoutineLifeDreams
In practice
Example use cases
During a speaking event on personal development, one could use this quote to inspire others to take risks in pursuit of their passions.
More from Sterling Hayden
All quotes →Sooner or later a man has simply got to do what he thinks is right, no matter what other people, or the courts, or his friends, or his enemies, or God himself may tell him.
Sterling HaydenRead
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