--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never make it without the compass. In the…" description: "\"“Never make it without the compass. In the trees, I'd lose all sense of perspective. Direction. Maybe life is like that.”\" — Charles Martin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da9/charles-martin-4510_compass_never-make-it-without-the-compass-in-the_2928769.jpg" --- # Never make it without the compass. In the trees, I'd lose… ![“Never make it without the compass. In the trees, I'd lose all sense of perspective. Direction. Maybe life is like that.” quote by Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da9/charles-martin-4510_compass_never-make-it-without-the-compass-in-the_2928769.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da9/charles-martin-4510_compass_never-make-it-without-the-compass-in-the_2928769.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da9/charles-martin-4510_compass_never-make-it-without-the-compass-in-the_2928769.jpg) > ““Never make it without the compass. In the trees, I'd lose all sense of perspective. Direction. Maybe life is like that.”” [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Without a guiding principle, one can lose perspective, much like navigating a forest without a compass. **In simple terms:** Need direction to stay oriented. Key Takeaway Find a guiding principle. Themes direction perspective purpose Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - career planning - personal development Key Concepts navigation metaphor life philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What is your personal compass? - How do you regain perspective when lost? A Different Perspective A single compass may not address complex dilemmas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) ## Related quotes > [How do you make a compass? 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This mistaken view may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/people-who-do-not-know-the-bible-well-have-been-gulled-into-thinking/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [I take no pleasure in seeing DeLay swing gently in the wind. But the thing I believe in the most is ethics. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/i-take-no-pleasure-in-seeing-delay-swing-gently-in-the-wind-but-the/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet. Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/why-a-compass-ty-asked-he-hadn-t-taken-his-eyes-off-zane-s-yet-zane/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [Anger is an emotion, not a compass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/anger-is-an-emotion-not-a-compass/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [put the car in "d" set the compass to "n" and get the "f"out of there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/put-the-car-in-d-set-the-compass-to-n-and-get-the-f-out-of-there/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [In a compass, we got north, south, east and west, right? But in between that, you got things like north-east - now that, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-the-chicago-kid/in-a-compass-we-got-north-south-east-and-west-right-but-in-between/) [BJ the Chicago Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-the-chicago-kid/) > [Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-henry/families-are-the-compass-that-guide-us-they-are-the-inspiration-to/) [Brad Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-henry/) > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [It signified nothing that the raw, male magnetism that emanated from him probably made compasses malfunction in his presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaelen-foley/it-signified-nothing-that-the-raw-male-magnetism-that-emanated-from/) [Gaelen Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaelen-foley/) ## More by Charles Martin > [“Scientists say that these things evolved this way over millions of years." He shook his head. "That's a bunch of bunk. I don't think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/scientists-say-that-these-things-evolved-this-way-over-millions-of/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“They say God made man, but Sam Colt made them equal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/they-say-god-made-man-but-sam-colt-made-them-equal/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“That’s life. You take the bad with the good. Rise up through it. Live in the midst of it. It’s the bad that lets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/that-s-life-you-take-the-bad-with-the-good-rise-up-through-it-live-in/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“In my experience, it’s those words on the tip of the tongue that we most need to hear. They are the key. The thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/in-my-experience-it-s-those-words-on-the-tip-of-the-tongue-that-we/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“...forgive your enemies...it messes with their heads.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/forgive-your-enemies-it-messes-with-their-heads/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Broken people just need piecing back together.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/broken-people-just-need-piecing-back-together/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Child," she said placing her head to mine and her callused fingers on my cheek, "you can whip it and beat it senseless, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/child-she-said-placing-her-head-to-mine-and-her-callused-fingers-on/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Child, the Lord gives you what you need, when you need it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/child-the-lord-gives-you-what-you-need-when-you-need-it/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Ashley tried to speak. Tried again and still could not find the words. Finally she wiped her eyes, pressed her ear to my chest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/ashley-tried-to-speak-tried-again-and-still-could-not-find-the-words/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“What do you want in a woman, in life?' I thought a moment...'The Rangers...we began to describe one another in a few simple words:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/what-do-you-want-in-a-woman-in-life-i-thought-a-moment-the-rangers-we/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Of the six million species on the planet, only man makes language. Words. What's more--in evidence of the Divine--we string those symbols together and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/of-the-six-million-species-on-the-planet-only-man-makes-language/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“People marvel at the genius of Mozart because he supposedly wrote "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" at the age of three and composed his first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/people-marvel-at-the-genius-of-mozart-because-he-supposedly-wrote/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“The river never changes. it may alter it's path a bit, but it never changes. It's us who change. We come back here and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/the-river-never-changes-it-may-alter-it-s-path-a-bit-but-it-never/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Maybe broken is what happens before you become unbroken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/maybe-broken-is-what-happens-before-you-become-unbroken/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) > [“Gonna be a real frog-strangling turd-floater.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-martin/gonna-be-a-real-frog-strangling-turd-floater/) [Charles Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) [Explore all 108 Charles Martin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-martin/) ## More Compass quotes > [It signified nothing that the raw, male magnetism that emanated from him probably made compasses malfunction in his presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaelen-foley/it-signified-nothing-that-the-raw-male-magnetism-that-emanated-from/) [Gaelen Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaelen-foley/) > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-henry/families-are-the-compass-that-guide-us-they-are-the-inspiration-to/) [Brad Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-henry/) > [In a compass, we got north, south, east and west, right? But in between that, you got things like north-east - now that, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-the-chicago-kid/in-a-compass-we-got-north-south-east-and-west-right-but-in-between/) [BJ the Chicago Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-the-chicago-kid/) > [The only two good words that can be said for a hurricane are that it gives sufficient warning of its approach, and that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-atherton/the-only-two-good-words-that-can-be-said-for-a-hurricane-are-that-it/) [Gertrude Atherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-atherton/) > [put the car in "d" set the compass to "n" and get the "f"out of there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/put-the-car-in-d-set-the-compass-to-n-and-get-the-f-out-of-there/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [Anger is an emotion, not a compass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/anger-is-an-emotion-not-a-compass/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [“Why a compass?” Ty asked. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Zane’s yet. Zane smiled and ran his thumb across the pendant. “Because you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/why-a-compass-ty-asked-he-hadn-t-taken-his-eyes-off-zane-s-yet-zane/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [I take no pleasure in seeing DeLay swing gently in the wind. But the thing I believe in the most is ethics. If someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/i-take-no-pleasure-in-seeing-delay-swing-gently-in-the-wind-but-the/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [There is an ancient Indian saying: "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." If we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-schroeder/there-is-an-ancient-indian-saying-we-do-not-inherit-the-earth-from/) [Patricia Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-schroeder/) > [People who do not know the Bible well have been gulled into thinking it is a good guide to morality. This mistaken view may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/people-who-do-not-know-the-bible-well-have-been-gulled-into-thinking/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [I have told you of the Spaniard who always put on his spectacles when about to eat cherries, that they might look bigger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/i-have-told-you-of-the-spaniard-who-always-put-on-his-spectacles-when/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [I have an excellent internal compass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-bonneville/i-have-an-excellent-internal-compass/) [Hugh Bonneville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-bonneville/) > [We must be born with an intuition of mortality. Before we know the word for it. Before we know that there are words. Out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/we-must-be-born-with-an-intuition-of-mortality-before-we-know-the/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [It is cruel for you to leave your daughter, so full of hopeand resolve, to suffer the humiliations of disfranchisement she already feels so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/it-is-cruel-for-you-to-leave-your-daughter-so-full-of-hopeand-resolve/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) [Browse all 569 Compass quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compass/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Never make it without the compass. In the trees, I'd lose all sense of perspective. Direction. 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