--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only on the surface of things have I ever…" description: "\"Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten path. So long as I could keep from hurting anyone else, I have lived, as completely as it was..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ellen-glasgow-1897_beaten_only-on-the-surface-of-things-have-i-eve_320766.png" --- # Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten… ![“Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten path. So long as I could keep from hurting anyone else, I have lived, as completely as it was possible, the life of my choice. I have been free. . . . I have done the work I wished to do for the sake of that work alone.” quote by Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ellen-glasgow-1897_beaten_only-on-the-surface-of-things-have-i-eve_320766.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ellen-glasgow-1897_beaten_only-on-the-surface-of-things-have-i-eve_320766.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ellen-glasgow-1897_beaten_only-on-the-surface-of-things-have-i-eve_320766.png) > “Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten path. So long as I could keep from hurting anyone else, I have lived, as completely as it was possible, the life of my choice. I have been free. . . . I have done the work I wished to do for the sake of that work alone.” [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) ## 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 values personal freedom and integrity over conforming to societal expectations, choosing work for its own sake. **In simple terms:** Freedom and personal integrity matter more than fitting in. Key Takeaway Prioritize authentic work over external approval. Themes individualism integrity freedom choice Mood reflective determined thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - artistic pursuits - personal boundaries - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts existentialism authenticity Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal freedom with social responsibility? - What sacrifices are worth making for authentic work? A Different Perspective May neglect community and relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beaten path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beaten-path/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) ## Related quotes > [I lived so completely in my mind - a place of unchecked delusion and complete fantasy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-zhang/i-lived-so-completely-in-my-mind-a-place-of-unchecked-delusion-and/) [Jenny Zhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-zhang/) > [I have lived too completely. I think I have known every human emotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/i-have-lived-too-completely-i-think-i-have-known-every-human-emotion/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [“I thought that nothing enormously bad or good had happened to me during my life. All the normal things had occurred. I had lived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-zadoorian/i-thought-that-nothing-enormously-bad-or-good-had-happened-to-me/) [Michael Zadoorian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-zadoorian/) > [If you choose to get off the beaten path here, you'll find yourself in a situation where everything looks the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-teti/if-you-choose-to-get-off-the-beaten-path-here-you-ll-find-yourself-in/) [Joe Teti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-teti/) > [Towering genius disdains a beaten path ... It scorns to tread in the footsteps of any predecessor, however illustrious. It thirsts for distinction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-it-scorns-to-tread-in-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We do not live in a time when knowledge can be extended along a pathway smooth and free from obstacles, as at the time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-burkhardt/we-do-not-live-in-a-time-when-knowledge-can-be-extended-along-a/) Heinrich Burkhardt > [Towering genius disdains a beaten path. It seeks regions hitherto unexplored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/towering-genius-disdains-a-beaten-path-it-seeks-regions-hitherto-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I wanted to be able to talk with people who have trade jobs and make records with them. I want to do more records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-white/i-wanted-to-be-able-to-talk-with-people-who-have-trade-jobs-and-make/) [Jack White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-white/) > [The conduct of schools, based upon a new order of conception, is so much more difficult than is the management of schools which walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-conduct-of-schools-based-upon-a-new-order-of-conception-is-so/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [I keep interested and I keep my eyes wide open...I try to read as much as possible...try to go to places that are off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-sixx/i-keep-interested-and-i-keep-my-eyes-wide-open-i-try-to-read-as-much/) [Nikki Sixx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-sixx/) > [I guess we all have that 'Dig Me' space, where we have some of our things displayed. Mine's a little bit more off the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-glavine/i-guess-we-all-have-that-dig-me-space-where-we-have-some-of-our/) [Tom Glavine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-glavine/) > [The fans like the idea we do what we want. It's not an act. Screw the record company and the beaten path. Without MTV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hetfield/the-fans-like-the-idea-we-do-what-we-want-it-s-not-an-act-screw-the/) [James Hetfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hetfield/) > [You are all lions – so go your own way. Do not walk the beaten path like sheep, one after another. Do not follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-l-poonja/you-are-all-lions-so-go-your-own-way-do-not-walk-the-beaten-path-like/) [H. W. L. Poonja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-l-poonja/) > [I'm going to be doing solo stuff. The idea is to do 'small' and 'off my beaten path,' or go back to an old,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patty-griffin/i-m-going-to-be-doing-solo-stuff-the-idea-is-to-do-small-and-off-my/) [Patty Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patty-griffin/) > [In our culture of constant access and nonstop media, nothing feels more like a curse from God than time in the wilderness. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-martin/in-our-culture-of-constant-access-and-nonstop-media-nothing-feels/) [Jonathan Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-martin/) ## More by Ellen Glasgow > [Too much principle is often more harmful than too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/too-much-principle-is-often-more-harmful-than-too-little/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [I have watchedmany literary fashions shoot up and blossom, and then fade and drop… Yet with the many that I have seen comeand go,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/i-have-watchedmany-literary-fashions-shoot-up-and-blossom-and-then/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [After a day of rain the sun came out suddenly at five o'clock and threw a golden bar into the deep Victorian gloom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/after-a-day-of-rain-the-sun-came-out-suddenly-at-five-o-clock-and/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [What I hated even more than the conflict was the lurid spectacle of a world of unreason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/what-i-hated-even-more-than-the-conflict-was-the-lurid-spectacle-of-a/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [Preserve, within a wild sanctuary, an inaccessible valley of reverie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/preserve-within-a-wild-sanctuary-an-inaccessible-valley-of-reverie/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [The attraction of horror is a mental, or even an intellectual, excitement, but the fascination of the repulsive, so noticeable incontemporary writing, can spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/the-attraction-of-horror-is-a-mental-or-even-an-intellectual/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [I was always a feminist, for I liked intellectual revolt as much as I disliked physical violence. On the whole, I think women havelost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/i-was-always-a-feminist-for-i-liked-intellectual-revolt-as-much-as-i/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [Although the primitive in art may be both interesting and impressive, as portrayed in American fiction it is conspicuous for dullness alone. Drab persons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/although-the-primitive-in-art-may-be-both-interesting-and-impressive/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [Do you know there is always a barrier between me and any man or woman who does not like dogs?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/do-you-know-there-is-always-a-barrier-between-me-and-any-man-or-woman/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [You look as if you lived on duty and it hadn't;t agreed with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/you-look-as-if-you-lived-on-duty-and-it-hadn-t-t-agreed-with-you/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [there are times when life surprises one, and anything may happen, even what one had hoped for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/there-are-times-when-life-surprises-one-and-anything-may-happen-even/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [Life may take away happiness. But it can't take away having had it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/life-may-take-away-happiness-but-it-can-t-take-away-having-had-it/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [So long as one is able to pose one has still much to learn about suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/so-long-as-one-is-able-to-pose-one-has-still-much-to-learn-about/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [...I had grown up in a world that was dominated by immature age. Not by vigorous immaturity, but by immaturity that was old and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/i-had-grown-up-in-a-world-that-was-dominated-by-immature-age-not-by/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [I hated the things they believe in, the things they so innocently and charmingly pretended. I hated the sanctimonious piety that let people hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/i-hated-the-things-they-believe-in-the-things-they-so-innocently-and/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) [Explore all 200 Ellen Glasgow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) ## More Beaten quotes > [I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/i-think-children-have-talent-and-insight-but-it-gets-beaten-out-of/) [Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/) > [It's kind of the yin and yang that fascinate me. That for all the evil men do, there are also people who work obnoxiously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-gardner/it-s-kind-of-the-yin-and-yang-that-fascinate-me-that-for-all-the-evil/) [Lisa Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-gardner/) > [It's always a wake-up call to get beaten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/usain-bolt/it-s-always-a-wake-up-call-to-get-beaten/) [Usain Bolt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/usain-bolt/) > [“I felt my heart skip a beat, just one, but it was enough that I took notice. It was nice to know that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-m-stunich/i-felt-my-heart-skip-a-beat-just-one-but-it-was-enough-that-i-took/) [C.M. Stunich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-m-stunich/) > [Class clowns are never allowed to date anybody decent, but you don't get beaten up, you're invited to parties, and everybody likes you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-harmon/class-clowns-are-never-allowed-to-date-anybody-decent-but-you-don-t/) [Dan Harmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-harmon/) > [I know from my own clinical work that when people are beaten and hurt, they numb out so that they cant feel anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradshaw/i-know-from-my-own-clinical-work-that-when-people-are-beaten-and-hurt/) [John Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradshaw/) > [You could be beaten down by anybody and by everybody and it doesn't matter what everybody else thinks it's how you see yourself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cuban/you-could-be-beaten-down-by-anybody-and-by-everybody-and-it-doesn-t/) [Mark Cuban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cuban/) > [Could beauty be beaten out, O youth the cities have sent to strike at each other's strength, it is you who have kept her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-doolittle/could-beauty-be-beaten-out-o-youth-the-cities-have-sent-to-strike-at/) [Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-doolittle/) > [The midget, Bush, and that Rumsfeld deserve only to be beaten with shoes by freedom loving people everywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/the-midget-bush-and-that-rumsfeld-deserve-only-to-be-beaten-with/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [Like with every form of cancer, early detection is what it is all about. I urge everyone to learn the facts about this condition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-stewart/like-with-every-form-of-cancer-early-detection-is-what-it-is-all/) [Rod Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-stewart/) > [In our culture of constant access and nonstop media, nothing feels more like a curse from God than time in the wilderness. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-martin/in-our-culture-of-constant-access-and-nonstop-media-nothing-feels/) [Jonathan Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-martin/) > [A man who is determined never to move out of the beaten road cannot lose his way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/a-man-who-is-determined-never-to-move-out-of-the-beaten-road-cannot/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [I admit that I've been beaten up so many times in films, but we do not fake it - we actually have to fight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/min-sik-choi/i-admit-that-i-ve-been-beaten-up-so-many-times-in-films-but-we-do-not/) [Min-sik Choi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/min-sik-choi/) > [I do not approve of children being beaten. It is always a confession of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-wentworth/i-do-not-approve-of-children-being-beaten-it-is-always-a-confession/) [Patricia Wentworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-wentworth/) > [If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can't have any practical result whatsoever, you've beaten them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/if-you-can-feel-that-staying-human-is-worth-while-even-when-it-can-t/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) Browse all 665 Beaten quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Only on the surface of things have I ever trod the beaten path. So long as I could keep from hurting anyone else, I have lived, as completely as it was possible, the life of my choice. I have been free. . . . 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