--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was told when I grew up I could be…" description: "\"I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed. And for the first time in the his..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/425/bill-hicks-970_astronaut_i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-any_66618.jpg" --- # I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a… ![“I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed. And for the first time in the history of mankind, something new, called an astronaut. But like so many kids brought up on a steady diet of Westerns, I always wanted to be the…” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/425/bill-hicks-970_astronaut_i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-any_66618.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/425/bill-hicks-970_astronaut_i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-any_66618.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/425/bill-hicks-970_astronaut_i-was-told-when-i-grew-up-i-could-be-any_66618.jpg) > “I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed. And for the first time in the history of mankind, something new, called an astronaut. But like so many kids brought up on a steady diet of Westerns, I always wanted to be the avenging cowboy hero – that lone voice in the wilderness, fighting corruption and evil wherever I found it, and standing for freedom, truth and justice. And in my heart of hearts I still track the remnants of that dream wherever I go, in my endless ride into the setting sun…” [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on childhood aspirations shaped by cultural myths, juxtaposing conventional heroic roles with the modern, awe‑inspiring vocation of astronaut, while acknowledging a lingering desire for the archetypal lone avenger who upholds justice. **In simple terms:** Nostalgic yearning for heroic purpose Key Takeaway Dreams evolve but core values persist Themes identity heroism cultural myth aspiration nostalgia Mood reflective hopeful determined Type personal anecdote philosophical reflection When to use this quote - reflecting on childhood dreams - career counseling - creative writing - motivational speaking Key Concepts heroic archetype career idealism personal mythmaking Practical Applications - inspiring youth to pursue bold goals - examining societal role models Questions to Reflect On - How do early media influences shape adult ambitions? - What balance should we strike between individual heroism and community responsibility? A Different Perspective Some may argue that glorifying lone avenger narratives can obscure the value of collective effort and systemic change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Astronaut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) [Avenging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/avenging/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Cowboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cowboy/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Fireman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fireman/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Policemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policemen/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/) [Setting Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting-sun/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Truth and justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-and-justice/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Wilderness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wilderness/) ## Related quotes > [One peculiarity of an astronaut's job is that we do everything in public. Also, you don't want to make a mistake. In the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-saint-jacques/one-peculiarity-of-an-astronaut-s-job-is-that-we-do-everything-in/) [David Saint-Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-saint-jacques/) > [I had always been interested in the space program, and I didn't know if I could be an astronaut like I'd dreamt about when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-massimino/i-had-always-been-interested-in-the-space-program-and-i-didn-t-know/) [Michael J. Massimino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-massimino/) > [“...I just want to be free of the fears and anxieties and the superstitions of religion. An 'avenging GOD'? One who created Hell for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-just-want-to-be-free-of-the-fears-and-anxieties-and-the/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [The best way of avenging thyself is not to become like the wrong-doer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-best-way-of-avenging-thyself-is-not-to-become-like-the-wrong-doer/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [In the world of the superheroes, everything had value, potential, mystery. Any person, thing, or object could be drafted into service in the struggle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/in-the-world-of-the-superheroes-everything-had-value-potential/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [“In wondered in avenging was being used as an adjective or a verb.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/in-wondered-in-avenging-was-being-used-as-an-adjective-or-a-verb/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“She knew it was consonant with his character to be the avenging angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvain-reynard/she-knew-it-was-consonant-with-his-character-to-be-the-avenging-angel/) [Sylvain Reynard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvain-reynard/) > [Every crime has, in the moment of its perpetration, Its own avenging angel-dark misgiving, An ominous sinking at the inmost heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/every-crime-has-in-the-moment-of-its-perpetration-its-own-avenging/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [Rest, brother, rest. Have you done ill or well Rest, rest, There is no God, no gods who dwell Crowned with avenging righteousness on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/rest-brother-rest-have-you-done-ill-or-well-rest-rest-there-is-no-god/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [What's this war in the heart of Nature? Why does Nature vie with itself? The Land contend with the Sea? Is there an avenging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/what-s-this-war-in-the-heart-of-nature-why-does-nature-vie-with/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Let him that sows the serpent's teeth not hope to reap a joyous harvest. Every crime has, in the moment of its perpetration, its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-schiller/let-him-that-sows-the-serpent-s-teeth-not-hope-to-reap-a-joyous/) [Friedrich Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-schiller/) > [Dignity does not come from avenging insults, especially from violence that can never be justified. It comes from taking responsibility and advancing our common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/dignity-does-not-come-from-avenging-insults-especially-from-violence/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We come here with no peaceful intent, but ready for battle, determined to avenge our wrongs and set our country free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wallace/we-come-here-with-no-peaceful-intent-but-ready-for-battle-determined/) [William Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wallace/) > [Each man forms his duty according to his predominant characteristic; the stern require an avenging judge; the gentle, a forgiving father. Just so the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/each-man-forms-his-duty-according-to-his-predominant-characteristic/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [That devilish Iron Horse, whose ear-rending neigh is heard throughout the town, has muddied the Boiling Spring with his foot, and he it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/that-devilish-iron-horse-whose-ear-rending-neigh-is-heard-throughout/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Bill Hicks > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [not all drugs are good.. some of them are great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/not-all-drugs-are-good-some-of-them-are-great/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [If you don't think drugs have done good things for us, then take all of your records, tapes and CD's and burn them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/if-you-don-t-think-drugs-have-done-good-things-for-us-then-take-all/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I don't do drugs anymore... than, say, the average touring funk band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-don-t-do-drugs-anymore-than-say-the-average-touring-funk-band/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [How many people disapprove of the job the Conservatives are doing? Seventy percent. Of those same people, how many will vote for them again?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/how-many-people-disapprove-of-the-job-the-conservatives-are-doing/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [BTW A 24 week old embryo is not a human being. You're not a human being until you're in my phone book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/btw-a-24-week-old-embryo-is-not-a-human-being-you-re-not-a-human/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Christianity has a built-in defense system: anything that questions a belief, no matter how logical the argument is, is the work of Satan by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/christianity-has-a-built-in-defense-system-anything-that-questions-a/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I'm just trying to rid the world of all these fevered egos that are tainting our collective unconscious...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-m-just-trying-to-rid-the-world-of-all-these-fevered-egos-that-are/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Good comedy helps people know they're not alone. Great comedy provides an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/good-comedy-helps-people-know-they-re-not-alone-great-comedy-provides/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [People ask me what I think about that woman priest thing. What, a woman priest? Women priests. Great, great. Now there's priests of both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/people-ask-me-what-i-think-about-that-woman-priest-thing-what-a-woman/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [Oh sorry, I was taking life seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/oh-sorry-i-was-taking-life-seriously/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I can't watch TV longer than five minutes without praying for nuclear holocaust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-can-t-watch-tv-longer-than-five-minutes-without-praying-for-nuclear/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [I'm not really a heavy smoker any more. I only get through two lighters a day now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-m-not-really-a-heavy-smoker-any-more-i-only-get-through-two/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [You watch the news these days? It's unbelievable. You think you just walk out your door, you're immediately gonna be raped by some crack-addicted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/you-watch-the-news-these-days-it-s-unbelievable-you-think-you-just/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [What's gonna happen to the arms industry when we realize we're all one. Ha ha ha ha ha! It's gonna fuck up the economy!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/what-s-gonna-happen-to-the-arms-industry-when-we-realize-we-re-all/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) [Explore all 317 Bill Hicks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) ## More Astronaut quotes > [I went to school at night in L.A. to brush up on my engineering while I applied to the astronaut program. I really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-went-to-school-at-night-in-l-a-to-brush-up-on-my-engineering-while/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > ['You spin in the sky, the world spins under you, and you step from land to land, while we . . .' She turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/you-spin-in-the-sky-the-world-spins-under-you-and-you-step-from-land/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [I think the astronaut job is the best job in the world. I realized when I was older and started applying for it that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-massimino/i-think-the-astronaut-job-is-the-best-job-in-the-world-i-realized/) [Michael J. Massimino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-massimino/) > [NASA is developing space taxis to shuttle astronauts to the International Space Station. And just like New York taxis, they're all going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/nasa-is-developing-space-taxis-to-shuttle-astronauts-to-the/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) > [I stayed in the astronaut program until 1993. People ask me why I left. I thought I had a lot of things to contribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-stayed-in-the-astronaut-program-until-1993-people-ask-me-why-i-left/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [“Sometimes when people find out I’m an astronaut, they ask, “So what do you do when you’re not flying in space?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/sometimes-when-people-find-out-i-m-an-astronaut-they-ask-so-what-do/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [Rugby has surprisingly helped me a lot as an astronaut and when I'm training in the space suit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-mcclain/rugby-has-surprisingly-helped-me-a-lot-as-an-astronaut-and-when-i-m/) [Anne McClain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-mcclain/) > [As a former Apollo astronaut, I think it's safe to say that SpaceX and the other commercial developers embody the 21st century version of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rusty-schweickart/as-a-former-apollo-astronaut-i-think-it-s-safe-to-say-that-spacex-and/) [Rusty Schweickart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rusty-schweickart/) > [My optimism and confidence come not from feeling I'm luckier than other mortals, and they sure don't come from visualizing victory. They're the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/my-optimism-and-confidence-come-not-from-feeling-i-m-luckier-than/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [“My experiences in the Astronaut Corps had taught me that you never know what will happen from day to day. It’s best to experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leland-melvin/my-experiences-in-the-astronaut-corps-had-taught-me-that-you-never/) [Leland Melvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leland-melvin/) > [As a kid, I knew I wanted to be either a cartoonist or an astronaut. The latter was never much of a possibility, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/as-a-kid-i-knew-i-wanted-to-be-either-a-cartoonist-or-an-astronaut/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [I think it's good to have competition. Now we have a third country that can launch astronauts, so it's good for all of us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-chiao/i-think-it-s-good-to-have-competition-now-we-have-a-third-country/) [Leroy Chiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-chiao/) > [The Earth was small, light blue, and so touchingly alone, our home that must be defended like a holy relic. The Earth was absolutely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexey-leonov/the-earth-was-small-light-blue-and-so-touchingly-alone-our-home-that/) Alexey Leonov > [“Whilst my mother couldn't give me access to the world, she at least made sure to let me know it existed. A kid cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/whilst-my-mother-couldn-t-give-me-access-to-the-world-she-at-least/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [I wanted to become an astronaut because I believe that the exploration of space by humans is extremely important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-walker/i-wanted-to-become-an-astronaut-because-i-believe-that-the/) [Shannon Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-walker/) [Browse all 463 Astronaut quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/astronaut/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was told when I grew up I could be anything I wanted: a fireman, a policeman, a doctor – even President, it seemed. And for the first time in the history of mankind, something new, called an astronaut. 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