--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The brutal reality about aging is that it…" description: "\"The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an accelerator pedal. We have yet to discover whether a brake exists for people.\" — Dan Buettner" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png" --- # The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an… ![“The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an accelerator pedal. We have yet to discover whether a brake exists for people.” quote by Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png) > “The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an accelerator pedal. We have yet to discover whether a brake exists for people.” [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Aging accelerates life, and we lack proven methods to slow it down. **In simple terms:** Aging speeds up; we don't know how to slow it. Key Takeaway Seek healthier habits to extend vitality. Themes aging health longevity science Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal health planning - policy making - research funding Key Concepts biology epigenetics lifestyle mortality Questions to Reflect On - What lifestyle changes could act as a 'brake'? - How realistic is a universal anti‑aging solution? A Different Perspective Aging is complex; interventions may have trade‑offs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aging](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) [Brutal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brutal/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [I hooked up my accelerator pedal in my car to my brake lights. I hit the gas, people behind me stop, and I'm gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/i-hooked-up-my-accelerator-pedal-in-my-car-to-my-brake-lights-i-hit/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [“The fact is, such an undertaking \[an album that reveals a little more of the artist's core insecurities and the reality of the aging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-thomson/the-fact-is-such-an-undertaking-an-album-that-reveals-a-little-more/) Graeme Thomson > [France is ready for a European revolution and it is Germany that is pulling the brakes. For a long time, it was the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-schulz/france-is-ready-for-a-european-revolution-and-it-is-germany-that-is/) [Martin Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-schulz/) > [The daughters of God don't brake for jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-daughters-of-god-don-t-brake-for-jerks/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [You say that I should be your teacher! See to it that I am your pinion and not your brake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/you-say-that-i-should-be-your-teacher-see-to-it-that-i-am-your-pinion/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [It is sometimes of God's mercy that men in the eager pursuit of worldly aggrandizement are baffled; for they are very like a train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/it-is-sometimes-of-god-s-mercy-that-men-in-the-eager-pursuit-of/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [You only hear the music when your heart begins to brake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seether/you-only-hear-the-music-when-your-heart-begins-to-brake/) [Seether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seether/) > [Lethal like venomous snake bites the marijuana makes my eyes bright red like brake lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/canibus/lethal-like-venomous-snake-bites-the-marijuana-makes-my-eyes-bright/) [Canibus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/canibus/) > [Newman's first law: It is useless to put on your brakes when you're upside down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-newman/newman-s-first-law-it-is-useless-to-put-on-your-brakes-when-you-re/) [Paul Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-newman/) > [The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-m-shoup/the-galleries-are-full-of-critics-they-play-no-ball-they-fight-no/) [David M. Shoup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-m-shoup/) > [You brake to fuckin easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delphine-hogue/you-brake-to-fuckin-easy/) Delphine Hogue > [It's all happening too fast. I've got to put the brakes on or I'll smack into something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/it-s-all-happening-too-fast-i-ve-got-to-put-the-brakes-on-or-i-ll/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [Common sense is the guy who tells you that you ought to have had your brakes relined last week before you smashed a front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/common-sense-is-the-guy-who-tells-you-that-you-ought-to-have-had-your/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [How do you, on the one hand, not object to Hillary Clinton being elected, and then, on the other hand, tell people, "Elect me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/how-do-you-on-the-one-hand-not-object-to-hillary-clinton-being/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [It is amazing how may drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/it-is-amazing-how-may-drivers-even-at-the-formula-one-level-think/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) ## More by Dan Buettner > [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I wake up in the morning and I see that flower, with the dew on its petals, and at the way it's folding out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-wake-up-in-the-morning-and-i-see-that-flower-with-the-dew-on-its/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Eat your vegetables, have a positive outlook, be kind to people, and smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/eat-your-vegetables-have-a-positive-outlook-be-kind-to-people-and/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Of course, Minneapolis, we think, 'Oh well, it's cold there, lethally cold.' But the reality is you adapt to weather... Humans are consummately adaptable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/of-course-minneapolis-we-think-oh-well-it-s-cold-there-lethally-cold/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [A long healthy life is no accident. It begins with good genes, but it also depends on good habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/a-long-healthy-life-is-no-accident-it-begins-with-good-genes-but-it/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The newness effect of a new thing wears off in nine months to a year, but financial security can last a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-newness-effect-of-a-new-thing-wears-off-in-nine-months-to-a-year/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [“If you’re an older man, you should not have a supplement with iron because iron accumulates in the heart and can lead to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/if-you-re-an-older-man-you-should-not-have-a-supplement-with-iron/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The name of the game is to keep from pushing the accelerator pedal so hard that we speed up the aging process. The average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-name-of-the-game-is-to-keep-from-pushing-the-accelerator-pedal-so/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Diet and supplements and exercise programs aren't what is achieving longevity. Having a faith-based community can add four to 14 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/diet-and-supplements-and-exercise-programs-aren-t-what-is-achieving/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I know exactly what my values are and what I love to do. That's worth additional years right there. I say no to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-know-exactly-what-my-values-are-and-what-i-love-to-do-that-s-worth/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [Gratitude always comes into play; research shows that people are happier if they are grateful for the positive things in their lives, rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/gratitude-always-comes-into-play-research-shows-that-people-are/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [True happiness involves the pursuit of worth goals; without dreams, without risks, only a trivial semblance of living can be achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/true-happiness-involves-the-pursuit-of-worth-goals-without-dreams/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [I have always followed exactly what interests me and never really worried about the money. And when you think about it, to be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-have-always-followed-exactly-what-interests-me-and-never-really/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [“I used to be very beautiful,” Kamada replied. “I had hair that came down to my waist. It took me a long time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/i-used-to-be-very-beautiful-kamada-replied-i-had-hair-that-came-down/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [If one fails to develop goals that give meaning to one’s existence, if one does not use the mind to it’s fullest, then good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/if-one-fails-to-develop-goals-that-give-meaning-to-one-s-existence-if/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) [Explore all 55 Dan Buettner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) ## More Aging quotes > [While we've youth in our hearts, we can never grow old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/while-we-ve-youth-in-our-hearts-we-can-never-grow-old/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [In the past 40 years, the United States lost more than a million farmers and ranchers. Many of our farmers are aging. Today, only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-vilsack/in-the-past-40-years-the-united-states-lost-more-than-a-million/) [Tom Vilsack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-vilsack/) > [We'll never be as young as we are tonight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/we-ll-never-be-as-young-as-we-are-tonight/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Prayer of an Anonymous Abbess: Lord, thou knowest better than myself that I am growing older and will soon be old. Keep me from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/prayer-of-an-anonymous-abbess-lord-thou-knowest-better-than-myself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [So often do you see collegians enter life with high resolve and lofty purpose and then watch them shrink and shrink to sordid, selfish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/so-often-do-you-see-collegians-enter-life-with-high-resolve-and-lofty/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) > [All the dangers in our world are like a blessed wake up call. They tell us to live life NOW... not tomorrow, not when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/all-the-dangers-in-our-world-are-like-a-blessed-wake-up-call-they/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [“You could see the signs of female aging as diseased, especially if you had a vested interest in making women too see them your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/you-could-see-the-signs-of-female-aging-as-diseased-especially-if-you/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [“It takes maturity to be able to laugh like a child again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/it-takes-maturity-to-be-able-to-laugh-like-a-child-again/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Growing old-it's not nice, but it's interesting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/growing-old-it-s-not-nice-but-it-s-interesting/) [August Strindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/august-strindberg/) > [Anything is possible in the life of a man if he lives long enough. Even maturity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howell-raines/anything-is-possible-in-the-life-of-a-man-if-he-lives-long-enough/) [Howell Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howell-raines/) > [I just want to be Patty McCormack. I want to spend every year aging the way she has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/i-just-want-to-be-patty-mccormack-i-want-to-spend-every-year-aging/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) [Browse all 2,792 Aging quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aging/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an accelerator pedal. We have yet to discover whether a brake exists for people.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dan Buettner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-it-has-only-an-accelerator/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aging" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-it-has-only-an-accelerator/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/20b/dan-buettner-12394_aging_the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-i_1285025.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The brutal reality about aging is that it has only an accelerator pedal. We have yet to discover whether a…” — Dan Buettner", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dan Buettner", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The brutal reality about aging is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-it-has-only-an-accelerator/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/the-brutal-reality-about-aging-is-that-it-has-only-an-accelerator/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```