--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It seems to me there are no rules, only…" description: "\"It seems to me there are no rules, only instances; but perhaps that is because I learned no rules, and am only an instance myself.\" — Eleanor Farjeon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/eleanor-farjeon-21716_instance_it-seems-to-me-there-are-no-rules-only-i_1857631.jpg" --- # It seems to me there are no rules, only instances; but… ![“It seems to me there are no rules, only instances; but perhaps that is because I learned no rules, and am only an instance myself.” quote by Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/eleanor-farjeon-21716_instance_it-seems-to-me-there-are-no-rules-only-i_1857631.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/eleanor-farjeon-21716_instance_it-seems-to-me-there-are-no-rules-only-i_1857631.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9fc/eleanor-farjeon-21716_instance_it-seems-to-me-there-are-no-rules-only-i_1857631.jpg) > “It seems to me there are no rules, only instances; but perhaps that is because I learned no rules, and am only an instance myself.” [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. There are no fixed rules, only examples; learning comes from experience, not prescriptions. **In simple terms:** Life has no strict rules, only examples. Key Takeaway Learn from experience, not rigid rules. Themes learning experience flexibility Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - career choices - personal growth - creative work - problem solving Key Concepts philosophy individualism creativity Questions to Reflect On - Do you follow rules or learn from examples? - How can flexibility improve decision making? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on rules can stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instance/) [Instances Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instances-learned-2479672/) [Learned Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-rules-1940228/) [Rules Instance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-instance-2479671/) [Rules Instances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules-instances-2479670/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) ## Related quotes > [“I learned your language and I learned your rules. I am more like you than me now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-cleave/i-learned-your-language-and-i-learned-your-rules-i-am-more-like-you/) [Chris Cleave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-cleave/) > [When I started thinking seriously about learning the rules of narrative, I thought, 'You've learned the rules of dancing from the ballet; what's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/when-i-started-thinking-seriously-about-learning-the-rules-of/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [Tantra is for the person who has gone beyond the rules. They've learned the rules so well that now they can go beyond them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/tantra-is-for-the-person-who-has-gone-beyond-the-rules-they-ve/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Children should have enough freedom to be themselves - once they've learned the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/children-should-have-enough-freedom-to-be-themselves-once-they-ve/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I LEARNED THE RULES TO THE GAME, STAYED UP ALL NIGHT, SO I CHOOSE TO PLAY THEM THE BEST](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-paul-rose/i-learned-the-rules-to-the-game-stayed-up-all-night-so-i-choose-to/) [LEONARD PAUL ROSE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-paul-rose/) > [While you're playing cards with a regular guy or having a bite to eat with him, he seems a peaceable, good-humoured and not entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/while-you-re-playing-cards-with-a-regular-guy-or-having-a-bite-to-eat/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [Well, executive producer can mean anything in the world of Hollywood, sadly. It can be a bought title in many instances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/well-executive-producer-can-mean-anything-in-the-world-of-hollywood/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [True it is, as society is instituted, marriage becomes somewhat of a lottery, for all its votaries are either the victims of Cupid or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-frederick-saunders/true-it-is-as-society-is-instituted-marriage-becomes-somewhat-of-a/) [Arthur Frederick Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-frederick-saunders/) > [You cannot will yourself to be happy while believing that you have no right to happiness, or that you are unworthy of it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-roberts/you-cannot-will-yourself-to-be-happy-while-believing-that-you-have-no/) [Jane Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-roberts/) > [The ensouled is distinguished from the unsouled by its being alive. 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Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) ## More by Eleanor Farjeon > [I will fight for you, yes, and you will fight for me. And if you have sacrificed joy and courage and beauty and wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/i-will-fight-for-you-yes-and-you-will-fight-for-me-and-if-you-have/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [He loved her, both for her fault and her redemption of it, more than he had ever thought that he could love her; for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/he-loved-her-both-for-her-fault-and-her-redemption-of-it-more-than-he/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [He bent his head and kissed her long and deeply, and in that kiss neither knew themselves, or even each other, but something beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/he-bent-his-head-and-kissed-her-long-and-deeply-and-in-that-kiss/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Old sundial, you stand here for Time: For Love, the vine that round your base Its tendrils twines, and dares to climb And lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/old-sundial-you-stand-here-for-time-for-love-the-vine-that-round-your/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [The events of childhood do not pass but repeat themselves like seasons of the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/the-events-of-childhood-do-not-pass-but-repeat-themselves-like/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [“Love has no uttermost, as the stars have no number and the sea no rest. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/love-has-no-uttermost-as-the-stars-have-no-number-and-the-sea-no-rest/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [There's Carol like a rolling car, And Martin like a flying bird, And Adam like the Lord's First Word, And Raymond like the Harvest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/there-s-carol-like-a-rolling-car-and-martin-like-a-flying-bird-and/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Cats sleep Anywhere, Any table, Any chair, Top of piano, Window-ledge, In the middle, On the edge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/cats-sleep-anywhere-any-table-any-chair-top-of-piano-window-ledge-in/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [We do not lose our friends when they die, we only lose sight of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/we-do-not-lose-our-friends-when-they-die-we-only-lose-sight-of-them/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Of troubles know I none, Of pleasures know I many - I rove beneath the sun, Without a single penny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/of-troubles-know-i-none-of-pleasures-know-i-many-i-rove-beneath-the/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Upon your shattered ruins where This vine will flourish still, as rare, As fresh, as fragrant as of old. Love will not crumble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/upon-your-shattered-ruins-where-this-vine-will-flourish-still-as-rare/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Morning has broken Like the first morning. Blackbird has spoken Like the first bird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/morning-has-broken-like-the-first-morning-blackbird-has-spoken-like/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [In Fleet Street, in Fleet Street, the People are so fleet, They barely touch the cobble-stones with their nimble feet!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/in-fleet-street-in-fleet-street-the-people-are-so-fleet-they-barely/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [Praise with elation Praise every morning Spring's re-creation Of the First Day!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/praise-with-elation-praise-every-morning-spring-s-re-creation-of-the/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [All the ill that is in us comes from fear, and all the good from love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/all-the-ill-that-is-in-us-comes-from-fear-and-all-the-good-from-love/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) [Explore all 28 Eleanor Farjeon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) ## More Instance quotes > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [If, for instance, they have heard something from the postman, they attribute it to a semi-official statement; if they have fallen into conversation with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/if-for-instance-they-have-heard-something-from-the-postman-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/) [Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/) > [The ensouled is distinguished from the unsouled by its being alive. Now since being alive is spoken of in many ways, even if only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/the-ensouled-is-distinguished-from-the-unsouled-by-its-being-alive/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [You cannot will yourself to be happy while believing that you have no right to happiness, or that you are unworthy of it. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-roberts/you-cannot-will-yourself-to-be-happy-while-believing-that-you-have-no/) [Jane Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-roberts/) > [True it is, as society is instituted, marriage becomes somewhat of a lottery, for all its votaries are either the victims of Cupid or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-frederick-saunders/true-it-is-as-society-is-instituted-marriage-becomes-somewhat-of-a/) [Arthur Frederick Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-frederick-saunders/) > [Well, executive producer can mean anything in the world of Hollywood, sadly. It can be a bought title in many instances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-stanton/well-executive-producer-can-mean-anything-in-the-world-of-hollywood/) [Andrew Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-stanton/) > [My parents were very supportive of my chess. When I got home after a game of chess, having missed school or something, they always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viswanathan-anand/my-parents-were-very-supportive-of-my-chess-when-i-got-home-after-a/) [Viswanathan Anand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viswanathan-anand/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [While you're playing cards with a regular guy or having a bite to eat with him, he seems a peaceable, good-humoured and not entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/while-you-re-playing-cards-with-a-regular-guy-or-having-a-bite-to-eat/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [Let us ask... how things work at the level of on-going subjugation, at the level of those continuous and uninterrupted processes which subject our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/let-us-ask-how-things-work-at-the-level-of-on-going-subjugation-at/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [I draw the line at some things. 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