--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You're not going to learn anything if…" description: "\"You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared to go flat, so I'm very happy to go flat.\" — Dylan Moran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg" --- # You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared… ![“You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared to go flat, so I'm very happy to go flat.” quote by Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg) > “You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared to go flat, so I'm very happy to go flat.” [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker jokes that learning requires embracing a flat, unembellished approach, celebrating the willingness to simplify. **In simple terms:** Learning needs a simple, flat approach. Key Takeaway Embrace simplicity to learn. Themes humor learning simplicity Mood playful thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - personal growth - creative work Key Concepts educational philosophy mindset Questions to Reflect On - When does simplicity hinder depth? - How can you balance flatness with nuance? A Different Perspective Flatness may not suit all learning styles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Flat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flat/) [Flat Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flat-happy-5353446/) [Flats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flats/) [Going Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-learn/) [Happy Flat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-flat-5353447/) [Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared/) [Prepared Flat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-flat-5353448/) [Very happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-happy/) ## Related quotes > [People learn at the rate they are going to learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-folds/people-learn-at-the-rate-they-are-going-to-learn/) [Ben Folds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-folds/) > [You're going to learn a lot every time you fail. So embrace that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonny-kim/you-re-going-to-learn-a-lot-every-time-you-fail-so-embrace-that/) [Jonny Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonny-kim/) > [If you really care about what you're doing and you're eager to improve, of course you're going to learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-escola/if-you-really-care-about-what-you-re-doing-and-you-re-eager-to/) [Cole Escola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-escola/) > [What I've learnt from this business is, don't be afraid to make mistakes because you are going to learn so much from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-savoretti/what-i-ve-learnt-from-this-business-is-don-t-be-afraid-to-make/) [Jack Savoretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-savoretti/) > [Every year, you're going to get better and better. You're going to learn more and understand more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-conley-jr/every-year-you-re-going-to-get-better-and-better-you-re-going-to/) [Mike Conley Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-conley-jr/) > [“When do you think they're going to learn, Reagan? It's not you they should be afraid of. It's me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-higginson/when-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-learn-reagan-it-s-not-you-they/) [Rachel Higginson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-higginson/) > [“You. Are. Going. To. Have. To. Learn. To. Keep. Still.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/you-are-going-to-have-to-learn-to-keep-still/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [I'm going to learn from every obstacle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-mount/i-m-going-to-learn-from-every-obstacle/) [Mason Mount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-mount/) > [You're not going to learn about acting on TV and in film. You'll learn more in plays and in class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-navedo/you-re-not-going-to-learn-about-acting-on-tv-and-in-film-you-ll-learn/) [Andrea Navedo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-navedo/) > [You're not going to learn how to do it until you do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-weixler/you-re-not-going-to-learn-how-to-do-it-until-you-do-it/) [Jess Weixler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-weixler/) > [For those who are going to learn from books, learning the art of reading would seem to be indispensable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hutchins/for-those-who-are-going-to-learn-from-books-learning-the-art-of/) [Robert M. Hutchins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hutchins/) > [One day you're going to learn something that can't be explained with science. And when that happens, your life's going to change in ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/one-day-you-re-going-to-learn-something-that-can-t-be-explained-with/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If you're going to learn, you need to forget what you know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-moore/if-you-re-going-to-learn-you-need-to-forget-what-you-know/) [Christopher Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-moore/) > [There's no slowing down but I've got to be honest, I'm probably not going to learn French.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bishop/there-s-no-slowing-down-but-i-ve-got-to-be-honest-i-m-probably-not/) [John Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bishop/) > [I am very curious. Every day, I say: 'What am I going to learn today, and whom am I going to meet?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azzedine-alaia/i-am-very-curious-every-day-i-say-what-am-i-going-to-learn-today-and/) [Azzedine Alaia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/azzedine-alaia/) ## More by Dylan Moran > [“You should be alive as you can until you're totally dead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-should-be-alive-as-you-can-until-you-re-totally-dead/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [America's work ethic is non-stop; it's not even enshrined in law that workers have to get their two weeks holiday money. But Americans work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/america-s-work-ethic-is-non-stop-it-s-not-even-enshrined-in-law-that/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [The characters can't be wittier than people are in real life. They have to be character witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-characters-can-t-be-wittier-than-people-are-in-real-life-they/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [ \[Adulthood feels like\] walking around in the desert with a bag over your head, being bumped into by people who rob you as they… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/adulthood-feels-like-walking-around-in-the-desert-with-a-bag-over/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Don't do it! Stay away from your potential. You'll mess it up, it's potential, leave it. Anyway, it's like your bank balance - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/don-t-do-it-stay-away-from-your-potential-you-ll-mess-it-up-it-s/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [If you're talking about crowd enthusiasm, it varies. I have a decent following in Australia so I like there. I'm interested in playing everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/if-you-re-talking-about-crowd-enthusiasm-it-varies-i-have-a-decent/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [There are two types of wine essentially, and everybody knows this. There's the one where you drink it and go, "Mmmm, well that's ok,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/there-are-two-types-of-wine-essentially-and-everybody-knows-this/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Go and lie down in the dark... for hours... and don't move. I'm locking the door now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/go-and-lie-down-in-the-dark-for-hours-and-don-t-move-i-m-locking-the/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I suppose the best comedy shows do have the rock n' roll feeling - if it's a great night, and the roof is raised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-suppose-the-best-comedy-shows-do-have-the-rock-n-roll-feeling-if-it/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [Beer must be made by food companies. It makes you wander the streets at 3 am looking for things to eat. "What's that, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/beer-must-be-made-by-food-companies-it-makes-you-wander-the-streets/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [The sensible thing for everyone to do would be to write all their op-eds and think pieces now so they're ready the day after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/the-sensible-thing-for-everyone-to-do-would-be-to-write-all-their-op/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I don't do drugs. If I want a rush I just get out of a chair when I'm not expecting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-don-t-do-drugs-if-i-want-a-rush-i-just-get-out-of-a-chair-when-i-m/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I think I still get something from the original broadcaster but I'm certainly not aware of any Netflix van driving to my house and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-think-i-still-get-something-from-the-original-broadcaster-but-i-m/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [People do need a social license to go, "Ha ha ha," and have a good time. It's a strange thing. There's a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/people-do-need-a-social-license-to-go-ha-ha-ha-and-have-a-good-time/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I'm a vegetarian, well I'm not hardcore because I eat meat, but only because I like the taste, and I hate vegetables on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/i-m-a-vegetarian-well-i-m-not-hardcore-because-i-eat-meat-but-only/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) [Explore all 213 Dylan Moran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared to go flat, so I'm very happy to go flat.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dylan Moran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-you-re-not-prepared-to-go-flat/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-you-re-not-prepared-to-go-flat/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5c/dylan-moran-1716_education_you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-yo_3097424.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You're not going to learn anything if you're not prepared to go flat, so I'm very happy to go flat.” — Dylan Moran", "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": "Dylan Moran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You're not going to learn anything...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-you-re-not-prepared-to-go-flat/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/you-re-not-going-to-learn-anything-if-you-re-not-prepared-to-go-flat/#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 } } ] } ```