---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A brick could be used to stop a train…"
description: "\"“A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a better way to stop a speeding train. Stand firmly on the tracks, stare down the oncoming train, ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg"
---

#  A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a…

![“A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a better way to stop a speeding train. Stand firmly on the tracks, stare down the oncoming train, and boldly whisper, “Stop” as you hold out a stiff arm and just stand there. It might feel like you’re waiting your whole life for that train to…” quote by Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg)

> ““A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a better way to stop a speeding train. Stand firmly on the tracks, stare down the oncoming train, and boldly whisper, “Stop” as you hold out a stiff arm and just stand there. It might feel like you’re waiting your whole life for that train to stop, and quite possibly you will wait your whole life for that train to stop. But from that point your life expectancy has decreased to just a few seconds, so you won’t be waiting very long at all. ””

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Facing a looming danger head‑on, even at personal risk, can stop it faster than passive waiting.

**In simple terms:** Bold confrontation can halt threats quickly.

Key Takeaway

Act decisively when danger approaches.

Themes

courage risk action

Mood

tense determined

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- emergency response
- bullying intervention
- self‑defense

Key Concepts

direct confrontation personal sacrifice

Questions to Reflect On

- When is it wise to confront versus retreat?
- What safeguards can you take when confronting a threat?

A Different Perspective

Such boldness can be reckless and dangerous.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Better way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-way/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life expectancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-expectancy/) [Speeding Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speeding-train-1394483/) [Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop/) [Stop Speeding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-speeding-5002463/) [Stop Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-train-985683/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) [Train Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train-stop-404790/) [Whole life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-life/)

## Related quotes

> [I figured, let me just cut myself off from everybody, take a minute and pull a Flintstone, stop a speeding car by using my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-chappelle/i-figured-let-me-just-cut-myself-off-from-everybody-take-a-minute-and/)

[Dave Chappelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-chappelle/)

> [“A blanket could be used to stop a train. Another good thing to use would be brakes. I’ll sell you a set of train…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-another-good-thing-to-use/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [The young man knows that he is irretrievably lost. This is no town of cats, he finally realizes. It is the place where he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/the-young-man-knows-that-he-is-irretrievably-lost-this-is-no-town-of/)

[Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/)

> [Q: Does this train stop at Brighton? A: I hope so or there's going to be a hell of a splash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-everett/q-does-this-train-stop-at-brighton-a-i-hope-so-or-there-s-going-to-be/)

[Kenny Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-everett/)

> [Little miss perfect sitting at the train stop red Nike high tops listening to hip hop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-mars/little-miss-perfect-sitting-at-the-train-stop-red-nike-high-tops/)

[Bruno Mars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-mars/)

> [“Am I in the wrong place here, or in the wrong life? Did I not recognize, as I sat in a train that raced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/am-i-in-the-wrong-place-here-or-in-the-wrong-life-did-i-not-recognize/)

[Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/)

> [“Here are two big mistakes that are made frequently in life: Waiting for the train that will not stop at your stop and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/here-are-two-big-mistakes-that-are-made-frequently-in-life-waiting/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [When the ideas are coming, I don't stop until the ideas stop because that train doesn't come along all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-dre/when-the-ideas-are-coming-i-don-t-stop-until-the-ideas-stop-because/)

[Dr. Dre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-dre/)

> [“The important thing to remember in life is that regardless of how bad you might end up gettin' treated, don't never let nobody with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greer/the-important-thing-to-remember-in-life-is-that-regardless-of-how-bad/)

[Robert Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greer/)

> [You can look out of your life like a train &amp; see what you're heading for, but you can't stop the train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-larkin/you-can-look-out-of-your-life-like-a-train-see-what-you-re-heading/)

[Philip Larkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-larkin/)

> [There's just no way to stop a movement in popular culture. It's going to happen, with or without you. There's absolutely no way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-iovine/there-s-just-no-way-to-stop-a-movement-in-popular-culture-it-s-going/)

[Jimmy Iovine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-iovine/)

> [“It’s been my experience that most folk who ride trains could care less where they’re going. For them it’s the journey itself and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baldacci/it-s-been-my-experience-that-most-folk-who-ride-trains-could-care/)

[David Baldacci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baldacci/)

> [It's my experience that most folk who ride trains could care less where they're going. For them it's the journey itself and the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-baldacci/it-s-my-experience-that-most-folk-who-ride-trains-could-care-less/)

[David Baldacci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-baldacci/)

> [The peculiar fascination which the speeding train has for us comes from the evident progress it is making toward its definite goal ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roderick-e-stevens/the-peculiar-fascination-which-the-speeding-train-has-for-us-comes/)

[Roderick E. Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roderick-e-stevens/)

> [Sometimes in some places they would actually stop the train - keep the train from stopping at a particular station because they saw that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-wilkerson/sometimes-in-some-places-they-would-actually-stop-the-train-keep-the/)

[Isabel Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-wilkerson/)

## More by Jarod Kintz

> [“I notice when you’re gone. Or do I? How can I observe something that isn’t there?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-notice-when-you-re-gone-or-do-i-how-can-i-observe-something-that/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I wouldn’t love you if you were the last Sodomite in Gomorrah.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-wouldn-t-love-you-if-you-were-the-last-sodomite-in-gomorrah/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“A blanket could be used to make sweet, sweet music with the love of your life. Hopefully that person is me, because I’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-blanket-could-be-used-to-make-sweet-sweet-music-with-the-love-of/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“A brick could be used to slow down time. Sort of like a camel in a wheelchair pushed by a thirsty Arab. Hey, Khalid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-slow-down-time-sort-of-like-a-camel-in-a/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“We have a love so pure that it makes snow seem yellow. (Don’t eat it!)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/we-have-a-love-so-pure-that-it-makes-snow-seem-yellow-don-t-eat-it/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I hid Mrs. Frozenwater’s body in the ice cube trays in my freezer. Better to keep her there than let her memory thaw out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-hid-mrs-frozenwater-s-body-in-the-ice-cube-trays-in-my-freezer/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Two similar words might lead to two similar ideas. They might also lead to the basement, which I recently converted into a dungeon/torture chamber.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/two-similar-words-might-lead-to-two-similar-ideas-they-might-also/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Nothing is and isn’t; nothing is and isn’t—nothing itself is, and at the same time, nothing isn’t.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-is-and-isn-t-nothing-itself-is-and-at/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Embossed letters represent the topography of typography.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/embossed-letters-represent-the-topography-of-typography/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“There’s only one piece of clothing I could eat fast, and that’s a scarf.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/there-s-only-one-piece-of-clothing-i-could-eat-fast-and-that-s-a-scarf/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Dora J. Arod is to Jarod Ora, as yes is to yes. Yes is also the correct answer to “Will you marry me?” Other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/dora-j-arod-is-to-jarod-ora-as-yes-is-to-yes-yes-is-also-the-correct/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“The best part about being kidnapped is being blindfolded and getting kicked into the trunk of a car. Boy, normally I have to beg…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-part-about-being-kidnapped-is-being-blindfolded-and-getting/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“Orafoura once told me that if I were a car, I’d be a Ferrari. One that was scratched smashed, rusted, and stolen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/orafoura-once-told-me-that-if-i-were-a-car-i-d-be-a-ferrari-one-that/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [“I’d like to file a missing person’s report—on my clone. It’s nearly 2012. He should have been here by now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-d-like-to-file-a-missing-person-s-report-on-my-clone-it-s-nearly/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

[Explore all 6,921 Jarod Kintz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## More Better way quotes

> [We're also fairly stubborn, I think, fairly independent. We have our share of difficulties with our federal government, although I've tried to as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-miller/we-re-also-fairly-stubborn-i-think-fairly-independent-we-have-our/)

[Dan Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-miller/)

> [You know, I'm blessed. 'Blessed' is a better way of saying 'rich.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roseanne-barr/you-know-i-m-blessed-blessed-is-a-better-way-of-saying-rich/)

[Roseanne Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roseanne-barr/)

> [I believe there should be a better way to start each day...instead of waking up every morning...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-there-should-be-a-better-way-to-start-each-day-instead-of/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [WE NEED TO TALK. Why do we fear these four little words? Why do they arouse the same physical protective responses that occur in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santanu-mishra/we-need-to-talk-why-do-we-fear-these-four-little-words-why-do-they/)

[Santanu Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santanu-mishra/)

> [If you really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-you-really-know-how-to-live-what-better-way-to-start-the-day-than/)

[Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/)

> [“Frequently, when I suggest to people that they detach from a person or problem, they recoil in horror. “Oh, no!” they say. “I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/frequently-when-i-suggest-to-people-that-they-detach-from-a-person-or/)

[Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/)

> [“I was reminded ... the way that wood crumbles into dissolution.’ ‘The release of energy. Perhaps a better way of seeing it.’ ‘Such release…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-was-reminded-the-way-that-wood-crumbles-into-dissolution-the/)

[Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/)

> [I explain at the parties that I believe knitting is a transformative and intriguing act that can change the life and brain of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/i-explain-at-the-parties-that-i-believe-knitting-is-a-transformative/)

[Stephanie Pearl-McPhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-pearl-mcphee/)

> [“No better way to avoid making a decision than burying yourself in a big fat book.” (p. 105).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-bard/no-better-way-to-avoid-making-a-decision-than-burying-yourself-in-a/)

[Elizabeth Bard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-bard/)

> [Failure does not mean that God has left you, but it does mean that God has a better way and idea for you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prodigy/failure-does-not-mean-that-god-has-left-you-but-it-does-mean-that-god/)

[Prodigy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prodigy/)

> [The answer lies in preventing these failures, not in looking for better ways to fix the people who are failing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-glasser/the-answer-lies-in-preventing-these-failures-not-in-looking-for/)

[William Glasser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-glasser/)

> [There never was a tonic that would cure more social ailments than a healthy, happy home. There never was a greater source of social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-l-evans/there-never-was-a-tonic-that-would-cure-more-social-ailments-than-a/)

[Richard L. Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/)

> [It's a truly disgusting idea that the creator of the universe - capable of inventing the laws of physics and designing the evolutionary process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/it-s-a-truly-disgusting-idea-that-the-creator-of-the-universe-capable/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [It was only after I had been out of the art school that I actually copied a small Seurat, and I copied it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-riley/it-was-only-after-i-had-been-out-of-the-art-school-that-i-actually/)

[Bridget Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-riley/)

> [There is no better way of elevating the novel than by making it into a construct which contains ideas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-mann/there-is-no-better-way-of-elevating-the-novel-than-by-making-it-into/)

[Heinrich Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-mann/)

[Browse all 882 Better way quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-way/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a better way to stop a speeding train. Stand firmly on the tracks, stare down the oncoming train, and boldly whisper, “Stop” as you hold out a stiff arm and just stand there. It might feel like you’re waiting your whole life for that train to stop, and quite possibly you will wait your whole life for that train to stop. But from that point your life expectancy has decreased to just a few seconds, so you won’t be waiting very long at all. \u2028”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jarod Kintz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-but-i-ve-got-a-better-way-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Better way"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-but-i-ve-got-a-better-way-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da1/jarod-kintz-2_better-way_a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-bu_3039442.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“A brick could be used to stop a train. But I’ve got a better way to stop a speeding train. Stand firmly on…” — Jarod Kintz",
                "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": "Jarod Kintz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“A brick could be used to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-but-i-ve-got-a-better-way-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-brick-could-be-used-to-stop-a-train-but-i-ve-got-a-better-way-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
