--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world didn't give a shit. It didn't…" description: "\"“The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took”\" — Dennis Lehane" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg" --- # The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took ![“The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took” quote by Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg) > ““The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took”” [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote asserts that the world is indifferent and does not grant anything; it must be taken through effort. **In simple terms:** The world is indifferent; you must take what you want. Key Takeaway Act proactively, don't expect gifts. Themes indifference effort agency Mood determined realistic Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career advancement - creative projects - personal goals - social change Key Concepts existentialism personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What can you take action on today? - How do you cope with perceived indifference? A Different Perspective It may overlook systemic barriers that limit individual agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cynicism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“...but thinking about it didn't do a thing. Thinking about it was a long dive into a bucket of shit that didn't have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-strayed/but-thinking-about-it-didn-t-do-a-thing-thinking-about-it-was-a-long/) [Cheryl Strayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-strayed/) > [Shit I didn't realize so many people hated me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cee-lo-green/shit-i-didn-t-realize-so-many-people-hated-me/) [Cee Lo Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cee-lo-green/) > [I hate it when I go to the bathroom and come back and all my classmates look at me, and I say in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hong/i-hate-it-when-i-go-to-the-bathroom-and-come-back-and-all-my/) Hong > [“I helped you. I did! I put him where you told me to. (Basi) You didn’t do shit, except whine and piss me off!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/i-helped-you-i-did-i-put-him-where-you-told-me-to-basi-you-didn-t-do/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“He didn't take any of my shit. I needed that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-english/he-didn-t-take-any-of-my-shit-i-needed-that/) C.J. English > [Michael is a gift from Allah, and he is taking him back. The world didn't appreciate him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-jackson/michael-is-a-gift-from-allah-and-he-is-taking-him-back-the-world-didn/) [Jermaine Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-jackson/) > [You want calamities? What about the Ice Age? God made this world, but didn't complete it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/you-want-calamities-what-about-the-ice-age-god-made-this-world-but/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [The world didn't stop because we weren't in it anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-kaysen/the-world-didn-t-stop-because-we-weren-t-in-it-anymore/) [Susanna Kaysen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-kaysen/) > [There's a world in which if I didn't find faith again, I might not even be here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raye/there-s-a-world-in-which-if-i-didn-t-find-faith-again-i-might-not/) [Raye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raye/) > [“The world didn’t always sound right when it was first explained.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-mcgregor/the-world-didn-t-always-sound-right-when-it-was-first-explained/) [Jon McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-mcgregor/) > [The world didn’t like to look at the dark underside very often. But that didn’t change the ugliness; it only ensured that those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/the-world-didn-t-like-to-look-at-the-dark-underside-very-often-but/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [When God created the world, he didn't draw a line between Canada and America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/when-god-created-the-world-he-didn-t-draw-a-line-between-canada-and/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“All I saw was Ben, and I knew that all he saw was me. The whole world didn't - it was there, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivy-devlin/all-i-saw-was-ben-and-i-knew-that-all-he-saw-was-me-the-whole-world/) [Ivy Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivy-devlin/) > [“The world didn't have words to measure hate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/the-world-didn-t-have-words-to-measure-hate/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“My family was everything to me. These people were all that I had in this world, and I didn’t know where I’d go or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-canterbary/my-family-was-everything-to-me-these-people-were-all-that-i-had-in/) [Kate Canterbary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-canterbary/) ## More by Dennis Lehane > [He wondered if this was what clinical depression felt like, a total numbness, a weary lack of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/he-wondered-if-this-was-what-clinical-depression-felt-like-a-total/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [I held her, he wanted to say, and if I knew for certain that all it would take to hold her again would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/i-held-her-he-wanted-to-say-and-if-i-knew-for-certain-that-all-it/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“Everyone I know lies, breaks their word, and has perfectly legitimate excuses for why they do. Except you. Haven't you ever noticed that? Two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/everyone-i-know-lies-breaks-their-word-and-has-perfectly-legitimate/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“If a man was lucky, he was moving toward something his whole life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/if-a-man-was-lucky-he-was-moving-toward-something-his-whole-life/) [dennis lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“After my daughter was born, I'd considered buying a shotgun to ward off potention suitors fourteen or so years up the road. Now, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/after-my-daughter-was-born-i-d-considered-buying-a-shotgun-to-ward/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“I once again felt an odd flush of admiration for my partner's faith in a religion I had long ago abandoned. She doesn't advertise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/i-once-again-felt-an-odd-flush-of-admiration-for-my-partner-s-faith/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“And she was-definitely-a woman who did not shrink from gauntlets, but stepped up to them, and said, Okay, bring it. Bring your worst. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/and-she-was-definitely-a-woman-who-did-not-shrink-from-gauntlets-but/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“Jimmy looked back over at his wife, and Celeste could feel the tenderest of aches in the look. She could feel another teardrop piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/jimmy-looked-back-over-at-his-wife-and-celeste-could-feel-the/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“She told him that he had the most beautiful voice she'd ever heard, that it sounded like whiskey and wood smoke.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/she-told-him-that-he-had-the-most-beautiful-voice-she-d-ever-heard/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [My daughter squealed again and both Bubba and I winced. It’s not an attractive sound, that. It’s high-pitched and it enters your ear canals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/my-daughter-squealed-again-and-both-bubba-and-i-winced-it-s-not-an/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“It’s been a complicated decade for me.” She”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/it-s-been-a-complicated-decade-for-me-she/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“The only people who ask questions like ‘Did he want to be something besides a bartender?’ are people who can become whatever they want.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/the-only-people-who-ask-questions-like-did-he-want-to-be-something/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“Love, impossible, yet there was no mistaking it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/love-impossible-yet-there-was-no-mistaking-it/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“She blew a stream of smoke up at the empty clotheslines. 'These silly dreams you have when you're young. I mean, what, Katie and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/she-blew-a-stream-of-smoke-up-at-the-empty-clotheslines-these-silly/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) > [“He looked back at the page, got one last glimpse before the match blew itself out. Going to find you today, Andrew. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/he-looked-back-at-the-page-got-one-last-glimpse-before-the-match-blew/) [Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) [Explore all 231 Dennis Lehane quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/) ## More Cynicism quotes > [Scepticism and cynicism about politics is so great that one of the best counters to it is what you can do at a local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/scepticism-and-cynicism-about-politics-is-so-great-that-one-of-the/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [“Wish in one hand, shit in the other, see which one fills up faster.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noelle-oxenhandler/wish-in-one-hand-shit-in-the-other-see-which-one-fills-up-faster/) Noelle Oxenhandler > [There's a distinct unease about Americans when they are outside the United States. I can't say quite what it is, but they are easily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-osborne/there-s-a-distinct-unease-about-americans-when-they-are-outside-the/) [Lawrence Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-osborne/) > [If you're going to reach for it, reach all the way for it. Albums like 'Purple Rain' and 'Thriller' and those kind of records,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-sitek/if-you-re-going-to-reach-for-it-reach-all-the-way-for-it-albums-like/) [Dave Sitek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-sitek/) > [There have been times when a particularly heavy dose of such cynicism has caused me to reflect that surely this is the age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-have-been-times-when-a-particularly-heavy-dose-of-such-cynicism/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The larger an English industry was, the more likely it was to go bankrupt, because the English were not naturally corporate people; they disliked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-larger-an-english-industry-was-the-more-likely-it-was-to-go/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/cynicism-masquerades-as-wisdom-but-it-is-the-farthest-thing-from-it/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [I think growing up in Indiana prepares anyone for a life in comedy. I do feel like there is a certain kind of self-effacing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-think-growing-up-in-indiana-prepares-anyone-for-a-life-in-comedy-i/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [“That's what I've never been able to get about religion: that charmless combination of altruism and insanity. Give me a cynical, self-interested bastard any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-carey/that-s-what-i-ve-never-been-able-to-get-about-religion-that-charmless/) [Mike Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-carey/) > [We will need to work hard to break the cynicism, talk straight and rebuild trust in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-benn/we-will-need-to-work-hard-to-break-the-cynicism-talk-straight-and/) [Hilary Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-benn/) > [Nothing is more urgent than a serious, dare I say compassionate, debate as to where we are going at home and abroad. Technicians cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/nothing-is-more-urgent-than-a-serious-dare-i-say-compassionate-debate/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [“The fucking world is running out of gas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/the-fucking-world-is-running-out-of-gas/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [“In a fractured age, when cynicism is god, here is a possible heresy: we live by stories, we also live in them. One way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/in-a-fractured-age-when-cynicism-is-god-here-is-a-possible-heresy-we/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [Only the broken-hearted idealist can become a cynic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-clifton/only-the-broken-hearted-idealist-can-become-a-cynic/) Mark Clifton > [What's important is how we use our time on this earth, not how conspicuously we give our money away. What's important is the energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pallotta/what-s-important-is-how-we-use-our-time-on-this-earth-not-how/) [Dan Pallotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pallotta/) [Browse all 890 Cynicism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cynicism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dennis Lehane" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-bestow-it-took/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cynicism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-bestow-it-took/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/802/dennis-lehane-1503_cynicism_the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-b_2080461.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world didn't give a shit. It didn't bestow. It took” — Dennis Lehane", "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": "Dennis Lehane", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The world didn't give a shit....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-bestow-it-took/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/the-world-didn-t-give-a-shit-it-didn-t-bestow-it-took/#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 } } ] } ```