--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick…" description: "\"Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.\" — Harvey Mackay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png" --- # Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he… ![“Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.” quote by Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png) > “Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.” [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages taking calculated risks; staying safe prevents progress. **In simple terms:** Risk leads to reward. Key Takeaway Boldness yields results. Themes risk courage growth initiative confidence Mood determined optimistic Type motivational advice When to use this quote - career advancement - entrepreneurship - creative projects Key Concepts risk taking personal development Practical Applications - leadership training - motivational speaking Questions to Reflect On - What risk could you take today? - How does fear limit your potential? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Turtle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtle/) [Turtles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turtles/) ## Related quotes > [Life is like a turtle. You wont get get very far unless you stick out your neck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-like-a-turtle-you-wont-get-get-very-far-unless-you-stick-out/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just like a turtle, we only make progress if we stick our neck out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bryant-conant/just-like-a-turtle-we-only-make-progress-if-we-stick-our-neck-out/) [James Bryant Conant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bryant-conant/) > [Like the turtle, you need to stick your neck out to make progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-olson/like-the-turtle-you-need-to-stick-your-neck-out-to-make-progress/) [Anna Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-olson/) > [Imagine if somebody said your nose is too big or your ears stick out. For me, it was my neck was too short. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/imagine-if-somebody-said-your-nose-is-too-big-or-your-ears-stick-out/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [It seems that every time I stick my neck out, I get my foot into something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patsy-cline/it-seems-that-every-time-i-stick-my-neck-out-i-get-my-foot-into/) [Patsy Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patsy-cline/) > [I stick my neck out for nobody. I'm the only cause I'm interested in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-j-epstein/i-stick-my-neck-out-for-nobody-i-m-the-only-cause-i-m-interested-in/) Julius J. Epstein > [I stick my neck out for nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-bogart/i-stick-my-neck-out-for-nobody/) [Humphrey Bogart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-bogart/) > [Well as giraffes say, you don't get no leaves unless you stick your neck out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-waddell/well-as-giraffes-say-you-don-t-get-no-leaves-unless-you-stick-your/) [Sid Waddell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sid-waddell/) > [“The dress bunched up like loose skin round her neck. It wouldn't behave, wouldn't act as if it was really hers. Wearing it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-o-farrell/the-dress-bunched-up-like-loose-skin-round-her-neck-it-wouldn-t/) [Maggie O'Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-o-farrell/) > [I got a few speeding tickets when I was young, but I'm a little more like the turtle than the hare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lloyd/i-got-a-few-speeding-tickets-when-i-was-young-but-i-m-a-little-more/) [Christopher Lloyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lloyd/) > [If you want success in life, then just learn how to walk like a turtle instead of flying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/if-you-want-success-in-life-then-just-learn-how-to-walk-like-a-turtle/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“What would it be like to be a turtle inside a shell hit by hailstones?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-shihab-nye/what-would-it-be-like-to-be-a-turtle-inside-a-shell-hit-by-hailstones/) [Naomi Shihab Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-shihab-nye/) > [“You have to be like a turtle, she thought; you have to figure out how to bring your home along with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-brashares/you-have-to-be-like-a-turtle-she-thought-you-have-to-figure-out-how/) [Ann Brashares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-brashares/) > [No matter if you walk like a turtle until you dont stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/no-matter-if-you-walk-like-a-turtle-until-you-dont-stop/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Oh me oh my well well can't you tell. I'm just like a turtle crawling out of my shell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaggy/oh-me-oh-my-well-well-can-t-you-tell-i-m-just-like-a-turtle-crawling/) [Shaggy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaggy/) ## More by Harvey Mackay > [It doesn't matter if they say you can't do it. It only matters if you say you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-doesn-t-matter-if-they-say-you-can-t-do-it-it-only-matters-if-you/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about those who don’t. Believe everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/life-is-too-short-to-wake-up-with-regrets-so-love-the-people-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Keep the customer actively involved throughout your presentation, and watch your results improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/keep-the-customer-actively-involved-throughout-your-presentation-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Your workforce is your most valuable asset. The knowledge and skills they have represent the fuel that drives the engine of business - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/your-workforce-is-your-most-valuable-asset-the-knowledge-and-skills/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I've learned that people will seldom let you down if they understand that your destiny is in their hands, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-ve-learned-that-people-will-seldom-let-you-down-if-they-understand/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/people-begin-to-become-successful-the-minute-they-decide-to-be/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [I have ten marathons under my belt, including four New York races and one Boston.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/i-have-ten-marathons-under-my-belt-including-four-new-york-races-and/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Pay attention to those employees who respectfully ask why. They are demonstrating an interest in their jobs and exhibiting a curiosity that could eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/pay-attention-to-those-employees-who-respectfully-ask-why-they-are/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [The employees who share innovative ideas may also be the folks who have some hidden talents that would help incorporate their suggestions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/the-employees-who-share-innovative-ideas-may-also-be-the-folks-who/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Leadership does not mean getting people to do their job. It means getting people to do their best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/leadership-does-not-mean-getting-people-to-do-their-job-it-means/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [It's only lonely at the top if you forget all the people you met along the way and fail to acknowledge their contributions to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/it-s-only-lonely-at-the-top-if-you-forget-all-the-people-you-met/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [If you walk backwards, you will never stub your toe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/if-you-walk-backwards-you-will-never-stub-your-toe/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [As you schedule individual tasks, give yourself a cushion. Mark the due date a few days ahead of the actual deadline so you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/as-you-schedule-individual-tasks-give-yourself-a-cushion-mark-the-due/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/nobody-said-life-would-be-easy-they-just-promised-it-would-most/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) [Explore all 209 Harvey Mackay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) ## More Ifs quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-schama/histories-never-conclude-they-just-pause-their-prose-their-stories/) [Simon Schama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-schama/) > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [If I don't have pressure, I don't function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/if-i-don-t-have-pressure-i-don-t-function/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) > [If you restore a car, and you're making money, then you're doing it wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/if-you-restore-a-car-and-you-re-making-money-then-you-re-doing-it/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [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/) > [But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-sarabhai/but-we-are-convinced-that-if-we-are-to-play-a-meaningful-role/) [Vikram Sarabhai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-sarabhai/) > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) Browse all 94,303 Ifs quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harvey Mackay" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ifs" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c3/harvey-mackay-1775_ifs_be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-hi_37622.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Be like the turtle. If he didn't stick his neck out, he wouldn't get anywhere at all.” — Harvey Mackay", "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": "Harvey Mackay", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Be like the turtle. If he...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/be-like-the-turtle-if-he-didn-t-stick-his-neck-out-he-wouldn-t-get/#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 } } ] } ```