--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world turns aside to let any man pass…" description: "\"The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.\" — Epictetus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg" --- # The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where… ![“The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.” quote by Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg) > “The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.” [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowing one's direction gives confidence and clears obstacles, allowing the world to accommodate you. **In simple terms:** Knowing where you’re going makes obstacles easier. Key Takeaway Clarify your purpose before acting. Themes purpose confidence direction Mood determined reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - personal growth - leadership - travel - decision making Key Concepts Stoicism self‑knowledge Questions to Reflect On - What is your true north? - How does purpose shape your path? A Different Perspective If you lack direction, the world may not bend to you. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Knows Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows-going-379292/) [Man Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-pass-1378102/) [Pass Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pass-knows-4997233/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Turns Aside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns-aside-4997232/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-turns/) ## Related quotes > [The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows whither he is going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starr-jordan/the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pass-who-knows-whither-he-is/) [David Starr Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starr-jordan/) > [No man can pass into eternity, for he is already in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-man-can-pass-into-eternity-for-he-is-already-in-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A man will pass better through the world with a thousand open errors upon his back than in being detected in one sly falsehood.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-man-will-pass-better-through-the-world-with-a-thousand-open-errors/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let each man pass his days in that endeavor wherein his gift is greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/propertius/let-each-man-pass-his-days-in-that-endeavor-wherein-his-gift-is/) [Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/propertius/) > [“…Whatever is done for man will pass, yet all that is done for God will last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-chapell/whatever-is-done-for-man-will-pass-yet-all-that-is-done-for-god-will/) [Bryan Chapell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-chapell/) > [Let each man pass his days in that wherein his skill is greatest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sextus-propertius/let-each-man-pass-his-days-in-that-wherein-his-skill-is-greatest/) [Sextus Propertius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sextus-propertius/) > [A man might pass for insane who should see things as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/a-man-might-pass-for-insane-who-should-see-things-as-they-are/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [“Only the penitent man will pass...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-macgregor/only-the-penitent-man-will-pass/) [Rob MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-macgregor/) > [The banalities of a great man pass for wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-chase/the-banalities-of-a-great-man-pass-for-wit/) [Alexander Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-chase/) > [The world turns softly / Not to spill its lakes and rivers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilda-conkling/the-world-turns-softly-not-to-spill-its-lakes-and-rivers/) [Hilda Conkling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilda-conkling/) > [During the 1970s and 1980s, the popular television soap opera As The World Turns portrayed sunrise during the opening credits and sunset during the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/during-the-1970s-and-1980s-the-popular-television-soap-opera-as-the/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [Nobody knows that they're going to be Champions - you have to work to get there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwyane-wade/nobody-knows-that-they-re-going-to-be-champions-you-have-to-work-to/) [Dwyane Wade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwyane-wade/) > [“Who knows what’s going to go wrong next? 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If you would be free, then, do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-at-the-mercy-of-whoever-wields-authority-over-the-things-we/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Practice yourself, for heaven's sake in little things, and then proceed to greater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/practice-yourself-for-heaven-s-sake-in-little-things-and-then-proceed/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Do not laugh much or often or unrestrainedly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/do-not-laugh-much-or-often-or-unrestrainedly/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [We are not disturbed by what happens to us, but by our thoughts about what happens to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/we-are-not-disturbed-by-what-happens-to-us-but-by-our-thoughts-about/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Don't be prideful with any excellence that is not your own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/don-t-be-prideful-with-any-excellence-that-is-not-your-own/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [You know yourself what you are worth in your own eyes; and at what price you will sell yourself. For men sell themselves at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/you-know-yourself-what-you-are-worth-in-your-own-eyes-and-at-what/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [Crows pick out the eyes of the dead, when the dead have no longer need of them; but flatterers mar the soul of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/crows-pick-out-the-eyes-of-the-dead-when-the-dead-have-no-longer-need/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [As a man, casting off worn out garments taketh new ones, so the dweller in the body, entereth into ones that are new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/as-a-man-casting-off-worn-out-garments-taketh-new-ones-so-the-dweller/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [If you would improve, submit to be considered wihout sense and foolish with respect to externals. 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The wise see all blame as foolishness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/small-minded-people-blame-others-average-people-blame-themselves-the/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/all-philosophy-lies-in-two-words-sustain-and-abstain/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) [Explore all 577 Epictetus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) ## More Knows quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. 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I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [the appetite for thinking must be regulated, as all sensible people know, for it may stifle one's life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/the-appetite-for-thinking-must-be-regulated-as-all-sensible-people/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. 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He who speaks does not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-who-knows-does-not-speak-he-who-speaks-does-not-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) [Browse all 53,133 Knows quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Epictetus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pass-who-knows-where-he-is-going/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Knows" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pass-who-knows-where-he-is-going/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f49/epictetus-413_knows_the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pas_2227596.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world turns aside to let any man pass who knows where he is going.” — Epictetus", "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": "Epictetus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The world turns aside to let...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pass-who-knows-where-he-is-going/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/the-world-turns-aside-to-let-any-man-pass-who-knows-where-he-is-going/#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 } } ] } ```