--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's no such thing as adventure…" description: "\"There's no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing as romance. There's only trouble and desire.\" — Hal Hartley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/hal-hartley-29660_adventure_there-s-no-such-thing-as-adventure-there_1545919.jpg" --- # There's no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing… ![“There's no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing as romance. There's only trouble and desire.” quote by Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/hal-hartley-29660_adventure_there-s-no-such-thing-as-adventure-there_1545919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/hal-hartley-29660_adventure_there-s-no-such-thing-as-adventure-there_1545919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb4/hal-hartley-29660_adventure_there-s-no-such-thing-as-adventure-there_1545919.jpg) > “There's no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing as romance. There's only trouble and desire.” [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life lacks idealized romance and adventure, offering only challenges and yearning. **In simple terms:** Life is about challenges and desire, not fantasy. Key Takeaway Accept reality, pursue meaningful goals. Themes realism desire conflict Mood reflective somber Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - relationships - career - personal growth - adventure seeking Key Concepts existentialism human condition Questions to Reflect On - What challenges drive your desires? - How do you balance desire with reality? A Different Perspective Romanticizing adventure can distract from practical action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Romance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romance/) ## Related quotes > [Life is full of adventure. There's no such thing as a clear pathway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-laliberte/life-is-full-of-adventure-there-s-no-such-thing-as-a-clear-pathway/) [Guy Laliberte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-laliberte/) > [Here's the thing about romance novels: The moment when the hero and heroine discover that they're perfect for each other is often the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-maclean/here-s-the-thing-about-romance-novels-the-moment-when-the-hero-and/) [Sarah MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-maclean/) > [No, I was never that kind of guy. I believed in true romance; one-night stands are always going to leave you feeling cold and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/no-i-was-never-that-kind-of-guy-i-believed-in-true-romance-one-night/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [Love is not blind. Romance is. Romance is the most dangerous thing. Romance is like an illusion. It shows you things, and you hear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hrithik-roshan/love-is-not-blind-romance-is-romance-is-the-most-dangerous-thing/) [Hrithik Roshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hrithik-roshan/) > [The thing we call romance is a diversion from something truer, which is life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamaica-kincaid/the-thing-we-call-romance-is-a-diversion-from-something-truer-which/) [Jamaica Kincaid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamaica-kincaid/) > [We know romance novels are a huge thing. Can we do a romance novel show on our network? I'm not sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-dubuc/we-know-romance-novels-are-a-huge-thing-can-we-do-a-romance-novel/) [Nancy Dubuc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-dubuc/) > [“You know, it's a funny thing. The only Romance language Felipe doesn't happen to speak is Italian. But I go ahead and say it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/you-know-it-s-a-funny-thing-the-only-romance-language-felipe-doesn-t/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [It is not designed that the road should be made too smooth for us here upon earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-porter/it-is-not-designed-that-the-road-should-be-made-too-smooth-for-us/) [Jane Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-porter/) > [It is either a daring adventure, or nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-either-a-daring-adventure-or-nothing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Attitude is the difference between ordeal and adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-bitchin/attitude-is-the-difference-between-ordeal-and-adventure/) [Bob Bitchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-bitchin/) > [When it comes down to it, it’s pretty simple. Adventure is what you make it. And whether it’s the travel, the discovery or just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-rice/when-it-comes-down-to-it-it-s-pretty-simple-adventure-is-what-you/) [Travis Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-rice/) > [The secret of adventure, then, is not to carefully seek it out but to travel in such a way that it finds you. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-potts/the-secret-of-adventure-then-is-not-to-carefully-seek-it-out-but-to/) [Rolf Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-potts/) > [It's never fun to run out of gas while on a road trip, But the adventure of trying to find gas when your in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-bingham/it-s-never-fun-to-run-out-of-gas-while-on-a-road-trip-but-the/) [Ryan Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-bingham/) > [“Life is a great adventure, darling, and problems are nothing more than opportunities to show what you can do. Show them, darling. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerstin-gier/life-is-a-great-adventure-darling-and-problems-are-nothing-more-than/) [Kerstin Gier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerstin-gier/) > [It isn't necessary to seek out adventure. Opening to what is around you will produce the most extraordinary experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-b-lewis/it-isn-t-necessary-to-seek-out-adventure-opening-to-what-is-around/) Edward B. Lewis ## More by Hal Hartley > [Perhaps I'm just optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/perhaps-i-m-just-optimistic/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [“Knowing is not enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/knowing-is-not-enough/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [More and more, even with a measure of success, I'm not sure what it is people are seeing when they see a movie I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/more-and-more-even-with-a-measure-of-success-i-m-not-sure-what-it-is/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [All the discoveries seem to be discoveries of means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/all-the-discoveries-seem-to-be-discoveries-of-means/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [TRUST took as its starting point the question, What would happen if a movie took the character of a teen-age girl seriously?.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/trust-took-as-its-starting-point-the-question-what-would-happen-if-a/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I see (humor) in the smallest things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-see-humor-in-the-smallest-things/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I wonder if there is anything to discover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-wonder-if-there-is-anything-to-discover/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [We discover and invent new ways of finding out the same old things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/we-discover-and-invent-new-ways-of-finding-out-the-same-old-things/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I think maybe written films are better than real films. You can see them in your head and yet everything is exactly as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-think-maybe-written-films-are-better-than-real-films-you-can-see/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you make a chair, you want to make a nice chair. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-do-things-if-you-make-a-chair/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I'm often uncertain of what's expected of a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-m-often-uncertain-of-what-s-expected-of-a-movie/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [9/11 was my first day teaching at Harvard University. My classes were all canceled and I got back to town two days later. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/9-11-was-my-first-day-teaching-at-harvard-university-my-classes-were/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [Though I'm not religious, I am interested in religion. I read a lot of history and I think it came out of that. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/though-i-m-not-religious-i-am-interested-in-religion-i-read-a-lot-of/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [“You know my biggest fear is this: That all my hard work. All my good intentions. All my studying. Have been nothing more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/you-know-my-biggest-fear-is-this-that-all-my-hard-work-all-my-good/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I'll marry you if you admit that respect, admiration, and trust equals love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-ll-marry-you-if-you-admit-that-respect-admiration-and-trust-equals/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) [Explore all 18 Hal Hartley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) ## More Adventure quotes > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I painted the words "GREAT ADVENTURE" in Beijing, Dallas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, and Japan. What it means to me is completely different to everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-painted-the-words-great-adventure-in-beijing-dallas-san-francisco/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [What a thrill. You know you've entered new territory when you realise that your outfit cost more than your film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-yu/what-a-thrill-you-know-you-ve-entered-new-territory-when-you-realise/) Jessica Yu > [“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned by a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-supertramp-chris-mccandless/so-many-people-live-within-unhappy-circumstances-and-yet-will-not/) Alexander Supertramp Chris McCandless > [A common fallacy in much of the adverse criticism to which science is subjected today is that it claims certainty, infallibility and complete emotional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/a-common-fallacy-in-much-of-the-adverse-criticism-to-which-science-is/) [Cyril Norman Hinshelwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-norman-hinshelwood/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Love can give you such happiness, then can break the very heart it filled, leaving a hole that can never be fixed or protected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mcleod/love-can-give-you-such-happiness-then-can-break-the-very-heart-it/) Kevin McLeod > [“It always gave Wolf a peculiar thrill thus to tighten his grip upon his stick, thus to wrap himself more closely in his faded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cowper-powys/it-always-gave-wolf-a-peculiar-thrill-thus-to-tighten-his-grip-upon/) [John Cowper Powys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cowper-powys/) > [“It all had to be squeezed and squeezed again, to provide a thrill, to provide enjoyment. What did people mean, with their simply determined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-h-lawrence-2/it-all-had-to-be-squeezed-and-squeezed-again-to-provide-a-thrill-to/) [D.H. Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-h-lawrence-2/) > [I am not an adventurous person but I am gutsy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-am-not-an-adventurous-person-but-i-am-gutsy/) [Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) [Browse all 7,690 Adventure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's no such thing as adventure. 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