--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The dream is free...but the journey will…" description: "\"The dream is free...but the journey will cost you something.\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/011/john-c-maxwell-113_cost_the-dream-is-free-but-the-journey-will-c_2469679.jpg" --- # The dream is free...but the journey will cost you something. ![“The dream is free...but the journey will cost you something.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/011/john-c-maxwell-113_cost_the-dream-is-free-but-the-journey-will-c_2469679.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/011/john-c-maxwell-113_cost_the-dream-is-free-but-the-journey-will-c_2469679.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/011/john-c-maxwell-113_cost_the-dream-is-free-but-the-journey-will-c_2469679.jpg) > “The dream is free...but the journey will cost you something.” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dreams are free, but achieving them requires resources and effort. **In simple terms:** Dreams cost effort to achieve. Key Takeaway Plan resources to pursue goals. Themes ambition effort reality Mood motivational realistic Type leadership inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - personal projects - education - startup ventures Key Concepts goal setting resource management Questions to Reflect On - What resources do you need for your dream? - How do you balance dreaming and practical action? A Different Perspective Dreams may be unrealistic without proper planning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dream Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream-free-587848/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free/) [Free Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-journey-747422/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Journey Cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey-cost-747423/) [Opportunity cost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity-cost/) [Travel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/travel/) ## Related quotes > [Money is all about opportunity cost. Every time you spend on something, that's something you can't spend on something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/money-is-all-about-opportunity-cost-every-time-you-spend-on-something/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) > [Sure, you can choose the safety and predictability of the cage, forfeiting the adventure God has destined for you. But you won't be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-batterson/sure-you-can-choose-the-safety-and-predictability-of-the-cage/) [Mark Batterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-batterson/) > [Obviously, consideration of costs is key, including opportunity costs. Of course capital isn't free. It's easy to figure out your cost of borrowing, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/obviously-consideration-of-costs-is-key-including-opportunity-costs/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [“When we see the world as a dream... we are free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/when-we-see-the-world-as-a-dream-we-are-free/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [The dream is free. The hustle is sold separately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrese-gibson/the-dream-is-free-the-hustle-is-sold-separately/) [Tyrese Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrese-gibson/) > [“Free to dream, free to fly, spread your wings and shine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-frost/free-to-dream-free-to-fly-spread-your-wings-and-shine/) [Anita Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-frost/) > [I have a dream! To be free at last! Free at last! Free at last. And if a man has nothing to die for,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-have-a-dream-to-be-free-at-last-free-at-last-free-at-last-and-if-a/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I need a prison in order to dream of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-popper/i-need-a-prison-in-order-to-dream-of-being-free/) [John Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-popper/) > [You can dream for it is free, but living the dream needs sacrifice. Are you going to go through life dreaming for free with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-a-babb/you-can-dream-for-it-is-free-but-living-the-dream-needs-sacrifice-are/) [Frederick A Babb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-a-babb/) > [We're not so free that we don't have to listen to rules, and laws, and regulations. Those are important. But the spirit, the freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/we-re-not-so-free-that-we-don-t-have-to-listen-to-rules-and-laws-and/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [You wake up each day from the dream; but to be free, you must also wake up from the waking state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mooji/you-wake-up-each-day-from-the-dream-but-to-be-free-you-must-also-wake/) [Mooji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mooji/) > [When I say about 'dream is free,' I don't only mean about basketball or to be in the NBA like Serge Ibaka. No. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-ibaka/when-i-say-about-dream-is-free-i-don-t-only-mean-about-basketball-or/) [Serge Ibaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-ibaka/) > [“One of the conflicts inherent in having choice is that we all make different ones. There is always an opportunity cost, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-sandberg/one-of-the-conflicts-inherent-in-having-choice-is-that-we-all-make/) [Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-sandberg/) > [Finding a single investment that will return 20% per year for 40 years tends to happen only in dreamland. In the real world, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/finding-a-single-investment-that-will-return-20-per-year-for-40-years/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Corruption is a fact of life in America as in Afganistan, but as American citizens, if we are white, we tend to experience it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chayes/corruption-is-a-fact-of-life-in-america-as-in-afganistan-but-as/) [Sarah Chayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chayes/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Cost quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [I would borrow money all day long, if the cost of borrowing is less than the expected return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/i-would-borrow-money-all-day-long-if-the-cost-of-borrowing-is-less/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-yu/) > [ \[Photography is \] likewise even French impressionists. So the Sculls bought pop. It was politics, and they moved with it. And I think that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/photography-is-likewise-even-french-impressionists-so-the-sculls/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [What has drug addiction done for me? It's cost me my career, my fortune and basically my sex life when I found out I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbin-crosby/what-has-drug-addiction-done-for-me-it-s-cost-me-my-career-my-fortune/) [Robbin Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbin-crosby/) > [I agreed a long time ago, I would not live at any cost. If I am moved or forced away from what I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-agreed-a-long-time-ago-i-would-not-live-at-any-cost-if-i-am-moved/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I believe that government is too large, costs too much, spends too much, and has too much regulatory power in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-walberg/i-believe-that-government-is-too-large-costs-too-much-spends-too-much/) [Tim Walberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-walberg/) > [One reason for the tremendous increase in health-care costs in the U.S. is managerial neglect of the "hotel services" by the people who dominate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/one-reason-for-the-tremendous-increase-in-health-care-costs-in-the-u/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [They brought on someone who cost more than our stadium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-rodgers/they-brought-on-someone-who-cost-more-than-our-stadium/) [Brendan Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-rodgers/) > [When the government pays, health care's lack of affordability becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. In health care, as in other things, government is the high-cost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-kling/when-the-government-pays-health-care-s-lack-of-affordability-becomes/) [Arnold Kling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-kling/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [First impressions are often the truest, as we find (not infrequently) to our cost, when we have been wheedled out of them by plausible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/first-impressions-are-often-the-truest-as-we-find-not-infrequently-to/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The term 'cost shifting,' as I use it, refers to those items in a university's budget that used to be reimbursed by the federal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-term-cost-shifting-as-i-use-it-refers-to-those-items-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Beauty's a doubtful good, a glass, a flower, Lost, faded, broken, dead within an hour; And beauty, blemish'd once, for ever's lost, In spite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/beauty-s-a-doubtful-good-a-glass-a-flower-lost-faded-broken-dead/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 3,987 Cost quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cost/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The dream is free...but the journey will cost you something.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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