--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know a single person in life that…" description: "\"I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have conflict. I don't really enjoy acting enough to not want to experience something that feels like..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/joaquin-phoenix-4581_acting_i-don-t-know-a-single-person-in-life-tha_1762042.jpg" --- # I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have… ![“I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have conflict. I don't really enjoy acting enough to not want to experience something that feels like it really affects things. It's like, if you were a surfer, would you want to surf where there was like two-foot waves, or would you want to surf…” quote by Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/joaquin-phoenix-4581_acting_i-don-t-know-a-single-person-in-life-tha_1762042.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/joaquin-phoenix-4581_acting_i-don-t-know-a-single-person-in-life-tha_1762042.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/92e/joaquin-phoenix-4581_acting_i-don-t-know-a-single-person-in-life-tha_1762042.jpg) > “I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have conflict. I don't really enjoy acting enough to not want to experience something that feels like it really affects things. It's like, if you were a surfer, would you want to surf where there was like two-foot waves, or would you want to surf on like ten-foot waves. To me, the more kind of dramatic stories are more exciting for me, to play with.” [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Conflict is inevitable in life; seeking intense experiences fuels personal growth and artistic expression. **In simple terms:** People always face conflict; drama makes life interesting. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges to deepen creativity. Themes conflict drama growth creativity Mood intense reflective Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - acting - personal development - creative projects - adversity - learning Key Concepts existentialism risk-taking storytelling Questions to Reflect On - Do you seek drama or avoid it? - How does conflict shape your identity? A Different Perspective Intense conflict can cause emotional strain and burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Dramatic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dramatic/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Surfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surfer/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [I'm known as a kind of dramatic, serious, almost humorless actor and the fact is, I'm a funny guy, and I spend most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/i-m-known-as-a-kind-of-dramatic-serious-almost-humorless-actor-and/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [In the film world, and I know this from just talking to other people, that I'm known as a kind of dramatic, serious, almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/in-the-film-world-and-i-know-this-from-just-talking-to-other-people/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [The biggest sin in the world would be if I lost my love for the ocean.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/the-biggest-sin-in-the-world-would-be-if-i-lost-my-love-for-the-ocean/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Surfing's the source. Can change your life. Swear to god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swayze/surfing-s-the-source-can-change-your-life-swear-to-god/) [Patrick Swayze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swayze/) > [“It makes you look like Audrey Hepburn. If she'd been a surfer." "I don't surf." "Neither did Audrey Hepburn,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-crowley/it-makes-you-look-like-audrey-hepburn-if-she-d-been-a-surfer-i-don-t/) [Cath Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-crowley/) > [I think when a surfer becomes a surfer, it's almost like an obligation to be an environmentalist at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-slater/i-think-when-a-surfer-becomes-a-surfer-it-s-almost-like-an-obligation/) [Kelly Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-slater/) > [Your surfing can get better on every turn, on every wave you catch. Learn to read the ocean better. A big part of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-slater/your-surfing-can-get-better-on-every-turn-on-every-wave-you-catch/) [Kelly Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-slater/) > [It's a culmination of your life of surfing when you turn and paddle in at Mavericks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-clark/it-s-a-culmination-of-your-life-of-surfing-when-you-turn-and-paddle/) Jeff Clark > [If you're a surfer, you just want to surf. You don't know if anyone's going to see you, and you don't really care if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-seinfeld/if-you-re-a-surfer-you-just-want-to-surf-you-don-t-know-if-anyone-s/) [Jerry Seinfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-seinfeld/) > [Surfing's one of the few sports that you look ahead to see what's behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laird-hamilton/surfing-s-one-of-the-few-sports-that-you-look-ahead-to-see-what-s/) [Laird Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laird-hamilton/) > [Thank God for a few free waves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miki-dora/thank-god-for-a-few-free-waves/) Miki Dora > [Waves are not measured in feet or inches, they are measured in increments of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzzy-trent/waves-are-not-measured-in-feet-or-inches-they-are-measured-in/) Buzzy Trent > [It's all about where your mind's at](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-slater/it-s-all-about-where-your-mind-s-at/) [Kelly Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-slater/) > [I'm just a surfer who wanted to build something that would allow me to surf longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-o-neill/i-m-just-a-surfer-who-wanted-to-build-something-that-would-allow-me/) [Jack O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-o-neill/) > [It's not tragic to die doing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-foo/it-s-not-tragic-to-die-doing-something-you-love/) Mark Foo ## More by Joaquin Phoenix > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I enjoy writing rhymes and sitting alone in a room listening to beats. It's pretty amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-enjoy-writing-rhymes-and-sitting-alone-in-a-room-listening-to-beats/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It's an amazing feeling to go into a studio and really be alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-s-an-amazing-feeling-to-go-into-a-studio-and-really-be-alone/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I began acting when River was doing this TV series and they needed two kids for the show, so they got me and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-began-acting-when-river-was-doing-this-tv-series-and-they-needed/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/it-takes-nothing-away-from-a-human-to-be-kind-to-an-animal/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [My parents were just searching for an alternative way of raising their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/my-parents-were-just-searching-for-an-alternative-way-of-raising/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The reason I keep making movies is I hate the last thing I did. I'm trying to rectify my wrongs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-reason-i-keep-making-movies-is-i-hate-the-last-thing-i-did-i-m/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I once told a journalist that girls call me 'Kitten,' but I couldn't have been more sarcastic, and no matter how many times I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-once-told-a-journalist-that-girls-call-me-kitten-but-i-couldn-t/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [When I go out with the ladies, I don't force them to pronounce my name. I tell them I like to go by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/when-i-go-out-with-the-ladies-i-don-t-force-them-to-pronounce-my-name/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [I have this horrible sense of humor where I think discomfort is funny - partly because I experience discomfort a lot, and it's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-have-this-horrible-sense-of-humor-where-i-think-discomfort-is-funny/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The expectation is this low, gravelly voice for John, but I went through his early recordings and there were songs in there where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-expectation-is-this-low-gravelly-voice-for-john-but-i-went/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Do I have a large frog in my hair? I have the sensation that something is eating my brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/do-i-have-a-large-frog-in-my-hair-i-have-the-sensation-that-something/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Well, I think that you know, I threatened myself with quitting after every movie. But I think everybody does that, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/well-i-think-that-you-know-i-threatened-myself-with-quitting-after/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [There is no need for fur - since there are compassionate alternatives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/there-is-no-need-for-fur-since-there-are-compassionate-alternatives/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [The only reason why I would like to be accepted? Because if your movies don't do well, after a while you don't get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/the-only-reason-why-i-would-like-to-be-accepted-because-if-your/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) [Explore all 109 Joaquin Phoenix quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. Sometimes it takes longer than what you can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-sean/acting-is-a-grind-just-like-music-is-a-grind-sometimes-it-takes/) [Big Sean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-sean/) > [It was only when I started making short films in college and I was looking for girls to play the me-ish parts that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-was-only-when-i-started-making-short-films-in-college-and-i-was/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [Writing is something I took up rather than anything I had an inclination toward. I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. I do believe that young adults go to college to learn things, and that this process will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-weingarten/i-do-not-believe-in-public-shaming-i-do-believe-that-young-adults-go/) [Gene Weingarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-weingarten/) > [Poetry has, in a way, been my bridge to my acting career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omari-hardwick/poetry-has-in-a-way-been-my-bridge-to-my-acting-career/) [Omari Hardwick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omari-hardwick/) [Browse all 12,062 Acting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't know a single person in life that doesn't have conflict. I don't really enjoy acting enough to not want to experience something that feels like it really affects things. 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