--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Did you play by the rules and work hard…" description: "\"“Did you play by the rules and work hard but feel empty and unfulfilled? It's because you were lied to.”\" — Bryant McGill" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/bryant-mcgill-108_emptiness_did-you-play-by-the-rules-and-work-hard_1997151.jpg" --- # Did you play by the rules and work hard but feel empty and… ![“Did you play by the rules and work hard but feel empty and unfulfilled? It's because you were lied to.” quote by Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/bryant-mcgill-108_emptiness_did-you-play-by-the-rules-and-work-hard_1997151.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/bryant-mcgill-108_emptiness_did-you-play-by-the-rules-and-work-hard_1997151.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e90/bryant-mcgill-108_emptiness_did-you-play-by-the-rules-and-work-hard_1997151.jpg) > ““Did you play by the rules and work hard but feel empty and unfulfilled? It's because you were lied to.”” [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hard work without authentic purpose leads to emptiness; deception about success fuels dissatisfaction. **In simple terms:** Hard work alone can feel empty. Key Takeaway Seek authentic purpose. Themes work fulfillment deception Mood motivational critical Type self‑help inspirational When to use this quote - career coaching - personal development - mental health Key Concepts Existential emptiness career satisfaction Questions to Reflect On - What truths are you missing? - How can you align work with values? A Different Perspective The statement warns against false narratives of success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Emptiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) [Feel Unfulfilled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feel-unfulfilled-998764/) [Hard Feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-feel/) [Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lied/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Unfulfilled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfulfilled/) [Unfulfilled Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unfulfilled-lied-3494183/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work hard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-hard/) ## Related quotes > [“Whenever we place our happiness and peace in anything outside of ourselves, we'll inevitably feel unfulfilled and stuck.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-bernstein/whenever-we-place-our-happiness-and-peace-in-anything-outside-of/) [Gabrielle Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-bernstein/) > [Unlike young actors, I don't feel unfulfilled. I've had my successes. I don't have to worry that I won't have time for other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-wanamaker/unlike-young-actors-i-don-t-feel-unfulfilled-i-ve-had-my-successes-i/) [Sam Wanamaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-wanamaker/) > [“we feel unfulfilled when there is a gap between what is most important to us (the realm of personal leadership) and what we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zondervan-publishing/we-feel-unfulfilled-when-there-is-a-gap-between-what-is-most/) [Zondervan Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zondervan-publishing/) > [I feel unfulfilled in England. I think I'm a decent manager and a very good coach. I've still got a lot to offer some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-clarke/i-feel-unfulfilled-in-england-i-think-i-m-a-decent-manager-and-a-very/) [Steve Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-clarke/) > [Buddhism doesn't promise to fulfill our desires. Instead it says, 'You feel unfulfilled? That's okay. That's normal. Everybody feels unfulfilled. You will always feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/buddhism-doesn-t-promise-to-fulfill-our-desires-instead-it-says-you/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) > [I believe that I will be the WWE World Champion one day. I know that a lot of people say that; it's easy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-harper/i-believe-that-i-will-be-the-wwe-world-champion-one-day-i-know-that-a/) [Luke Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-harper/) > [Jealousy of other people's success is a sure sign that you feel unfulfilled in your own life. Seeing them enjoy the fruits of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-j-lieberman/jealousy-of-other-people-s-success-is-a-sure-sign-that-you-feel/) [David J. Lieberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-j-lieberman/) > [You cannot possess all and everything. Whatsoever you possess will not give you contentment. The mind, the ego, will always feel unfulfilled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-cannot-possess-all-and-everything-whatsoever-you-possess-will-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My Father... He was there when I didn't understand, he was there when I was wrong, he was there when I cried, he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/my-father-he-was-there-when-i-didn-t-understand-he-was-there-when-i/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [“It's just so hard to feel good, you know?" I do know. And more than that, it's just so incredibly hard to feel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-hopkins/it-s-just-so-hard-to-feel-good-you-know-i-do-know-and-more-than-that/) [Ellen Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-hopkins/) > [It's hard for me to feel bad when I'm writing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-wolitzer/it-s-hard-for-me-to-feel-bad-when-i-m-writing-well/) [Meg Wolitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-wolitzer/) > [When I play on hard, that's where I feel the most comfortable and confident. I can still lose matches, I don't win every tournament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniil-medvedev/when-i-play-on-hard-that-s-where-i-feel-the-most-comfortable-and/) [Daniil Medvedev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniil-medvedev/) > [Every role requires its own set of tools, and I think, because of that, it is very hard to ever feel totally prepared or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/every-role-requires-its-own-set-of-tools-and-i-think-because-of-that/) [Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/) > [When life gets hard and you feel like giving up, just remember you are never alone and you mean the world to someone. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-life-gets-hard-and-you-feel-like-giving-up-just-remember-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s hard to feel attracted to someone who has abandoned her sense of autonomy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/it-s-hard-to-feel-attracted-to-someone-who-has-abandoned-her-sense-of/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) ## More by Bryant McGill > [“Witnessing a selfless act brings tears to remind us how we should be treating others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/witnessing-a-selfless-act-brings-tears-to-remind-us-how-we-should-be/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The teacher can only provide the lessons, but the student ultimately decides what to learn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-teacher-can-only-provide-the-lessons-but-the-student-ultimately/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Start the daily practice of joyful living.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/start-the-daily-practice-of-joyful-living/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“You have permission to walk away from anything that doesn't feel right. Trust your instincts and listen to your inner-voice — it's trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-have-permission-to-walk-away-from-anything-that-doesn-t-feel/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“You cannot change another person's mind or educate them; this they must do themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/you-cannot-change-another-person-s-mind-or-educate-them-this-they/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The public good must come before private interests.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-public-good-must-come-before-private-interests/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Countries, states, cities, corporations and laws are all words on paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/countries-states-cities-corporations-and-laws-are-all-words-on-paper/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“We must remember that nature is the supreme cradle of life, and must be protected and treated with the highest respect and care.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-remember-that-nature-is-the-supreme-cradle-of-life-and-must/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places. (p 57)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-world-is-not-fair-and-often-fools-cowards-liars-and-the-selfish/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Even discomfort or pain delivers awareness of life, and an opportunity for gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/even-discomfort-or-pain-delivers-awareness-of-life-and-an-opportunity/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“The secret to unseating great power, is not to move the other direction, but to compete directly against their goals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-secret-to-unseating-great-power-is-not-to-move-the-other/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“In the moments of your deepest need, despair and desperation, what you need more than any other thing, is calm and faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/in-the-moments-of-your-deepest-need-despair-and-desperation-what-you/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“It is essential that you follow your own idea of passion, even if to others it looks like suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/it-is-essential-that-you-follow-your-own-idea-of-passion-even-if-to/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Joy is a practice, not an involuntary state.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/joy-is-a-practice-not-an-involuntary-state/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) [Explore all 1,286 Bryant McGill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) ## More Emptiness quotes > [Tell the truth about your wound, and then you will get a truthful picture of the remedy to apply to it. Don't pack whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarissa-pinkola-estes/tell-the-truth-about-your-wound-and-then-you-will-get-a-truthful/) [Clarissa Pinkola Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarissa-pinkola-estes/) > [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“I've decided that has been the great achievement of our age: to so thoroughly flood the planet with megabits that every image and fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/i-ve-decided-that-has-been-the-great-achievement-of-our-age-to-so/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“ Desolation would not be the proper word to describe his feelings now; it was more the sense of emptiness he imagined he might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shusaku-endo/desolation-would-not-be-the-proper-word-to-describe-his-feelings-now/) [Shusaku Endo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shusaku-endo/) > [“those of little merit would not even have doubts about this doctrine of emptiness. even suspicion that objects are empty wrecks the seeds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aryadeva/those-of-little-merit-would-not-even-have-doubts-about-this-doctrine/) [aryadeva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aryadeva/) > [Anyone whose goal is 'something higher' must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/anyone-whose-goal-is-something-higher-must-expect-someday-to-suffer-2/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“I close my eyes and I let my body shut itself down and I let my mind wander. It wanders to a familiar place.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-close-my-eyes-and-i-let-my-body-shut-itself-down-and-i-let-my-mind/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Only the thirsty knows the real taste of water; only the lonely knows the real weight of emptiness!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/only-the-thirsty-knows-the-real-taste-of-water-only-the-lonely-knows/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [What I was trying to convey there was the kind of waste land that was left after the war. It was a bit like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-martin/what-i-was-trying-to-convey-there-was-the-kind-of-waste-land-that-was/) [George Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-martin/) > [“Everything we perceive to be solid and static is made up of almost entirely empty space.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-p-kauffman/everything-we-perceive-to-be-solid-and-static-is-made-up-of-almost/) [Joseph P. Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-p-kauffman/) > [But what was there to say? Only that there were tears. Only that Quietness and Emptiness fitted together like stacked spoons. Only that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/but-what-was-there-to-say-only-that-there-were-tears-only-that/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [I got this emptiness inside that got me fighting for approval because I missed out on my daddy saying, Way to Go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/i-got-this-emptiness-inside-that-got-me-fighting-for-approval-because/) [Lecrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [“As we see it, space is possible only when the primordial Being swallows emptiness. Space is born when the Being accepts emptiness, the Nonbeing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/as-we-see-it-space-is-possible-only-when-the-primordial-being/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) [Browse all 1,374 Emptiness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emptiness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Did you play by the rules and work hard but feel empty and unfulfilled? 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