--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If the destination is heaven, why do we…" description: "\"If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be first in line for hell?\" — Douglas Horton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png" --- # If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be… ![“If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be first in line for hell?” quote by Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png) > “If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be first in line for hell?” [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) ## 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 suggests that if ultimate goal is heaven, competing for lower status (hell) is misguided. **In simple terms:** Focus on higher purpose, not petty competition. Key Takeaway Aim for spiritual goals, not worldly rivalry. Themes spirituality competition values Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - religious gatherings - personal reflection - career ambition Key Concepts ethics afterlife human nature Questions to Reflect On - What does “hell” represent in your life? - How can you prioritize higher goals? A Different Perspective May overlook practical realities of life. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) ## Related quotes > [Whether your destination is heaven or hell, you always have to change planes in Dallas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinky-friedman/whether-your-destination-is-heaven-or-hell-you-always-have-to-change/) [Kinky Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinky-friedman/) > [Love is a journey not a destination. Heaven is another name of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-a-journey-not-a-destination-heaven-is-another-name-of-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Worship must occupy us full-time for a lifetime because our final destination is Heaven—it’s no place for part-time lovers!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gangai-victor/worship-must-occupy-us-full-time-for-a-lifetime-because-our-final/) [Gangai Victor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gangai-victor/) > [“Heaven ain't a place of destination. Heaven is the happy state of universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/heaven-ain-t-a-place-of-destination-heaven-is-the-happy-state-of/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [How much more of the mosque, of prayer and fasting? Better go drunk and begging round the taverns. Khayyam, drink wine, for soon this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-khayy-m/how-much-more-of-the-mosque-of-prayer-and-fasting-better-go-drunk-and/) [Omar Khayyam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-khayy-m/) > [In fine, a life of good or evil, the hope of Heaven or the despair of Hell, Faustus stands as a reminder that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-fine-a-life-of-good-or-evil-the-hope-of-heaven-or-the-despair-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It has been more wittily than charitably said that hell is paved with good intentions; they have their place in heaven also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-southey/it-has-been-more-wittily-than-charitably-said-that-hell-is-paved-with/) [Robert Southey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-southey/) > [“You are mine, and Heaven itself cannot rescue you from my power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/you-are-mine-and-heaven-itself-cannot-rescue-you-from-my-power/) [Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/) > [I will go to the garden. I will be a romantic. I will sell myself in hell, in heaven also I will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-creeley/i-will-go-to-the-garden-i-will-be-a-romantic-i-will-sell-myself-in/) [Robert Creeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-creeley/) > [Because there were all kinds of hell - some were black and dirty, and some were silvery and high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/because-there-were-all-kinds-of-hell-some-were-black-and-dirty-and/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [“Intellectualism is a poor master over passion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twe-stephens/intellectualism-is-a-poor-master-over-passion/) Twe Stephens > [Your eyes are closed in hell and you haven't even opened them to see heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-eyes-are-closed-in-hell-and-you-haven-t-even-opened-them-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [I believe that on any trip to heaven, there are always detours through hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/i-believe-that-on-any-trip-to-heaven-there-are-always-detours-through/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) ## More by Douglas Horton > [Why ask why? If it's raining it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/why-ask-why-if-it-s-raining-it-just-is/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Being sorry is the highest act of selfishness, seeing value only after discarding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/being-sorry-is-the-highest-act-of-selfishness-seeing-value-only-after/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [The more we are filled with thoughts of lust the less we find true romantic love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/the-more-we-are-filled-with-thoughts-of-lust-the-less-we-find-true/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If wishes were fishes we'd all be throwing nets. If wishes were horses we'd all ride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-wishes-were-fishes-we-d-all-be-throwing-nets-if-wishes-were-horses/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Materialism is the only form of distraction from true bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/materialism-is-the-only-form-of-distraction-from-true-bliss/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [While seeking revenge, dig two graves - one for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/while-seeking-revenge-dig-two-graves-one-for-yourself/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [If food were free, why work?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-food-were-free-why-work/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Thought precedes action, action does not always precede thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/thought-precedes-action-action-does-not-always-precede-thought/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Man worships because God lays His hand to the dust of our experience, and man miraculously becomes a living soul - and knows it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/man-worships-because-god-lays-his-hand-to-the-dust-of-our-experience/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Seeing the light is a choice, not seeing the light is no choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/seeing-the-light-is-a-choice-not-seeing-the-light-is-no-choice/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [First rule of Economics 101: our desires are insatiable. Second rule: we can stomach only three Big Macs at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/first-rule-of-economics-101-our-desires-are-insatiable-second-rule-we/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [We may not always get what we want, but surely we will get what we deserve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/we-may-not-always-get-what-we-want-but-surely-we-will-get-what-we/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Sherrill On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/sherrill-on-easter-day-the-veil-between-time-and-eternity-thins-to/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [As the fly bangs against the window attempting freedom while the door stands open, so we bang against death ignoring heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/as-the-fly-bangs-against-the-window-attempting-freedom-while-the-door/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) > [Beauty is variable, ugliness is constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/beauty-is-variable-ugliness-is-constant/) [Douglas Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) [Explore all 59 Douglas Horton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/) ## More Destination quotes > [It is a sweet thing that we serve a dissatisfied God who has destinations in mind for us that we would never choose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-david-tripp/it-is-a-sweet-thing-that-we-serve-a-dissatisfied-god-who-has/) [Paul David Tripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-david-tripp/) > [Loving yourself is a journey, not a destination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-holliday/loving-yourself-is-a-journey-not-a-destination/) [Tess Holliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-holliday/) > [Love is a voyage,not a destination ! <3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-a-voyage-not-a-destination-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/) [Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/) > [“The final destination is death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/the-final-destination-is-death/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [It was often this way, life consisted of a series of false beginnings, bluff declarations of arrival to destinations not even glimpsed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-lethem/it-was-often-this-way-life-consisted-of-a-series-of-false-beginnings/) [Jonathan Lethem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-lethem/) > [India should emerge as a destination that attracts people to invest here, which, in turn, will give a boost to investment, industrial growth and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-thakur/india-should-emerge-as-a-destination-that-attracts-people-to-invest/) [Anurag Thakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-thakur/) > [Do you want to make progress? If so, then take each problem not as a challenging rival, but as an encouraging friend of yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/do-you-want-to-make-progress-if-so-then-take-each-problem-not-as-a/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [We make a lot of detours, but we're always heading for the same destination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-make-a-lot-of-detours-but-we-re-always-heading-for-the-same/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“As you travel along the roads in life, there is a certain kind of peace that comes with knowing you're on the right path.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amaka-nkosazana/as-you-travel-along-the-roads-in-life-there-is-a-certain-kind-of/) [Amaka Nkosazana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amaka-nkosazana/) > [Without a destination in mind, every road will be a dead end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhiess-krieg/without-a-destination-in-mind-every-road-will-be-a-dead-end/) [Jhiess Krieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhiess-krieg/) > [“If you’ve been there, done that, gotten the t-shirt, isn’t it time to move on to a new destination? Don’t waste a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/if-you-ve-been-there-done-that-gotten-the-t-shirt-isn-t-it-time-to/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [The soil is the great connector of our lives, the source and destination of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-soil-is-the-great-connector-of-our-lives-the-source-and/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [Maine out of season is unmistakably a great destination: hospitable, good-humored, plenty of elbow room, short days, dark nights of crackling ice crystals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/maine-out-of-season-is-unmistakably-a-great-destination-hospitable/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Science sees the process of evolution from the outside, as one might a train of cars going by, and resolves it into the physical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/science-sees-the-process-of-evolution-from-the-outside-as-one-might-a/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) [Browse all 1,154 Destination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be first in line for hell?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Douglas Horton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-scramble-to-be-first-in-line/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Destination" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-scramble-to-be-first-in-line/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/douglas-horton-11608_destination_if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-s_2519855.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If the destination is heaven, why do we scramble to be first in line for hell?” — Douglas Horton", "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": "Douglas Horton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-horton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If the destination is heaven, why...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-scramble-to-be-first-in-line/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-horton/if-the-destination-is-heaven-why-do-we-scramble-to-be-first-in-line/#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 } } ] } ```