--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once you've started to dig a hole, you…" description: "\"Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it.\" — John Hurt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png" --- # Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it. ![“Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it.” quote by John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png) > “Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it.” [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Once a commitment is made, escaping its consequences becomes increasingly difficult. **In simple terms:** Commitments trap you. Key Takeaway Consider long‑term impacts before acting. Themes commitment consequences decisionmaking Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - career choices - financial contracts - relationships Key Concepts psychology of sunk cost risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What commitments have you made that feel inescapable? - Can you find a way out? A Different Perspective Not all situations are irreversible; alternatives may exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [How deep can you dig the hole before you see the light at the end of the tunnel?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-deep-can-you-dig-the-hole-before-you-see-the-light-at-the-end-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I used to like to dig myself a hole just to see how long it took to get out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-hackett/i-used-to-like-to-dig-myself-a-hole-just-to-see-how-long-it-took-to/) [Buddy Hackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-hackett/) > [In too deep to see the diamond, down too dark to see the gold. Now he won't let go of the shovel, and he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-travis/in-too-deep-to-see-the-diamond-down-too-dark-to-see-the-gold-now-he/) [Randy Travis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-travis/) > [Funny how you dig yourself into a hole by the teaspoon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/funny-how-you-dig-yourself-into-a-hole-by-the-teaspoon/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [Who the fuck cares? I'll dig the fuckin' hole. I don't give a fuck. What is it, the first hole I dug? Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/who-the-fuck-cares-i-ll-dig-the-fuckin-hole-i-don-t-give-a-fuck-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don’t dig a hole unless it’s to plant a seed, or to bury your ego.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhuwan-thapaliya/don-t-dig-a-hole-unless-it-s-to-plant-a-seed-or-to-bury-your-ego/) [Bhuwan Thapaliya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhuwan-thapaliya/) > [You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/you-cannot-dig-a-hole-in-a-different-place-by-digging-the-same-hole/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [I will dig a hole, write the word 'LOVE' inside, and make you fall in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-will-dig-a-hole-write-the-word-love-inside-and-make-you-fall-in-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The best way to dig yourself out of a hole, is with a dead guy’s fingernails. Then, once you’re out of the hole, finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/the-best-way-to-dig-yourself-out-of-a-hole-is-with-a-dead-guy-s/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [A guy digging ditches or a plumber wiping joints - it solves problems, you know? You have to dig this hole so wide, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-marvin/a-guy-digging-ditches-or-a-plumber-wiping-joints-it-solves-problems/) [Lee Marvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-marvin/) > [“Should I get you a shovel so you can dig that hole a little deeper?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/should-i-get-you-a-shovel-so-you-can-dig-that-hole-a-little-deeper/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [If you dig a hole and it's in the wrong place, digging it deeper isn't going to help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seymour-chwast/if-you-dig-a-hole-and-it-s-in-the-wrong-place-digging-it-deeper-isn-t/) [Seymour Chwast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seymour-chwast/) > [To survive, you've got to keep wheedling your way. You can't just sit there and fight against odds when it's not going to work.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/to-survive-you-ve-got-to-keep-wheedling-your-way-you-can-t-just-sit/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I've never started beef with anybody that didn't start with me first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-ve-never-started-beef-with-anybody-that-didn-t-start-with-me-first/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [I've started lots of books, but it's hard for me to finish them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harmony-korine/i-ve-started-lots-of-books-but-it-s-hard-for-me-to-finish-them/) [Harmony Korine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harmony-korine/) ## More by John Hurt > [I can't say that I wouldn't prefer to make small films, basically because I think they are probably more interesting in terms of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-can-t-say-that-i-wouldn-t-prefer-to-make-small-films-basically/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Acting is an imaginative leap, really, isn't it? And imaginations prosper in different circumstances. And it's being able - I can't tell you how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/acting-is-an-imaginative-leap-really-isn-t-it-and-imaginations/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [My surname certainly suggests a man whose destiny has always been injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/my-surname-certainly-suggests-a-man-whose-destiny-has-always-been/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [ I got used to \[ Lars Von Trier\] doing the narration for 'Dogville' and 'Manderley.' And I said to him I do these narrations… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-got-used-to-lars-von-trier-doing-the-narration-for-dogville-and/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [The first thing you have to get used to in any kind of acting is the ability to make a fool of yourself. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/the-first-thing-you-have-to-get-used-to-in-any-kind-of-acting-is-the/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [One wonders sometimes, looking at the world, how it's dealing with itself. There are days when you wake up and you feel very optimistic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/one-wonders-sometimes-looking-at-the-world-how-it-s-dealing-with/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [To me, nothing ever feels like a sure thing. I cling to that because it's very important you don't ever think anything is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/to-me-nothing-ever-feels-like-a-sure-thing-i-cling-to-that-because-it/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Things come in a quieter way to me. It's not laziness, and it's not diffidence. I just know how far you have to bend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/things-come-in-a-quieter-way-to-me-it-s-not-laziness-and-it-s-not/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I've spent a great deal of my life doing independent film, and that is partly because the subject matter interests me and partly because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-ve-spent-a-great-deal-of-my-life-doing-independent-film-and-that-is/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I find myself more interested in producing. Not because I'm interested in the financial side of it, but just getting together the right elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-find-myself-more-interested-in-producing-not-because-i-m-interested/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Actors are not always the best judges. We have a peculiar idea of what we think we are, and sometimes it's best left to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/actors-are-not-always-the-best-judges-we-have-a-peculiar-idea-of-what/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [My parents felt that acting was far too insecure. Don't ask me what made them think that painting would be more secure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/my-parents-felt-that-acting-was-far-too-insecure-don-t-ask-me-what/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [I've done all sorts of children's things before, but none as big as 'Harry Potter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/i-ve-done-all-sorts-of-children-s-things-before-but-none-as-big-as/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [Really, I'm only alive out of curiosity. I'm very curious about where we're all marching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/really-i-m-only-alive-out-of-curiosity-i-m-very-curious-about-where/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [You carry that through and adapt it to a camera lens, but you're quite right, you cannot be sure of what an audience is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/you-carry-that-through-and-adapt-it-to-a-camera-lens-but-you-re-quite/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) [Explore all 217 John Hurt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) ## More Hole quotes > [“A hole ain’t nothing either, but you can still break your neck in it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-donati/a-hole-ain-t-nothing-either-but-you-can-still-break-your-neck-in-it/) [Sara Donati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-donati/) > [Go get your shovel and we'll dig a deep hole. To bury the castle, bury the castle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramore/go-get-your-shovel-and-we-ll-dig-a-deep-hole-to-bury-the-castle-bury/) [Paramore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramore/) > [“Nothing will ever be enough to satisfy the black hole in our hearts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soman-chainani/nothing-will-ever-be-enough-to-satisfy-the-black-hole-in-our-hearts/) [Soman Chainani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soman-chainani/) > [Supermassive black hole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muse/supermassive-black-hole/) [Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muse/) > [continue to advance until you run out of ammunition. Then, dig in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/continue-to-advance-until-you-run-out-of-ammunition-then-dig-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“This…hole in the world, man-shaped. Me-shaped. A vacancy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasinda-wilder/this-hole-in-the-world-man-shaped-me-shaped-a-vacancy/) [Jasinda Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasinda-wilder/) > [How deep can you dig the hole before you see the light at the end of the tunnel?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-deep-can-you-dig-the-hole-before-you-see-the-light-at-the-end-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/it-was-a-hobbit-hole-and-that-means-comfort/) [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) > [“And my grandfather... was forever knocked into that middle place, unable to worship a God in whose existence he could not wholly disbelieve. Permanent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/and-my-grandfather-was-forever-knocked-into-that-middle-place-unable/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [I was big into grunge, like Nirvana and Hole, when I was younger, which has been a really huge inspiration because of its rawness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tove-lo/i-was-big-into-grunge-like-nirvana-and-hole-when-i-was-younger-which/) [Tove Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tove-lo/) > [The road is opend but you have a hole in your shoes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salah-lhouiouri/the-road-is-opend-but-you-have-a-hole-in-your-shoes/) Salah Lhouiouri > [It's not who you know, it's who you blow. I don't have a hole in my jeans for nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-richardson/it-s-not-who-you-know-it-s-who-you-blow-i-don-t-have-a-hole-in-my/) [Terry Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-richardson/) > [“God has no interest in filling the holes within us. Rather, He wishes to eliminate them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/god-has-no-interest-in-filling-the-holes-within-us-rather-he-wishes/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [A hole in one is amazing when you think of the different universes this white mass of molecules has to pass through on its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-o-grady/a-hole-in-one-is-amazing-when-you-think-of-the-different-universes/) [Mac O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-o-grady/) > [Never take a mulligan on a par 3. A "hole in three" is not a fun story to relive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-weiss/never-take-a-mulligan-on-a-par-3-a-hole-in-three-is-not-a-fun-story/) [Brian Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-weiss/) Browse all 401 Hole quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Hurt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-can-t-get-out-of-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hole" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-can-t-get-out-of-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea4/john-hurt-1669_hole_once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-ca_768090.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Once you've started to dig a hole, you can't get out of it.” — John Hurt", "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": "John Hurt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Once you've started to dig a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-can-t-get-out-of-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/once-you-ve-started-to-dig-a-hole-you-can-t-get-out-of-it/#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 } } ] } ```