--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you don't take it, I'm going to throw…" description: "\"If you don't take it, I'm going to throw it away,\" Alex cheerfully retorted. \"I don't want to know what time it is. I don't want to know what day it is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/jon-krakauer-1557_alex_if-you-don-t-take-it-i-m-going-to-throw_1444824.png" --- # If you don't take it, I'm going to throw it away," Alex… ![“If you don't take it, I'm going to throw it away," Alex cheerfully retorted. "I don't want to know what time it is. I don't want to know what day it is or where I am. None of that matters.” quote by Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/jon-krakauer-1557_alex_if-you-don-t-take-it-i-m-going-to-throw_1444824.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/jon-krakauer-1557_alex_if-you-don-t-take-it-i-m-going-to-throw_1444824.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/05b/jon-krakauer-1557_alex_if-you-don-t-take-it-i-m-going-to-throw_1444824.png) > “If you don't take it, I'm going to throw it away," Alex cheerfully retorted. "I don't want to know what time it is. I don't want to know what day it is or where I am. None of that matters.” [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character rejects temporal anchors, seeking freedom from conventional measures of time and place, emphasizing existential detachment. **In simple terms:** Rejecting time and place for freedom. Key Takeaway Consider what truly matters beyond schedules. Themes existentialism freedom detachment identity rebellion Mood contemplative defiant lonely Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal crises - spiritual journeys - philosophical debates - life‑choice reflections Key Concepts nihilism self‑actualization meaninglessness Questions to Reflect On - What does abandoning time reveal about self? - Can detachment be sustainable? A Different Perspective Ignoring practical realities can lead to dangerous neglect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alex/) [Away Alex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/away-alex-388160/) [Day Matters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-matters-1276825/) [Don Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-want/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Retorted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retorted-983372/) [Throw Away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throw-away/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [“Stop!” His voice rings out sharply, hard as a slap. He releases me and I stumble backward. “Alex is dead, do you hear me?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/stop-his-voice-rings-out-sharply-hard-as-a-slap-he-releases-me-and-i/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [“Of course, in my mind, violence would have been better, but since that wasn’t an option, I decided to play along. “It’s okay, handsome.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanne-mcdonald/of-course-in-my-mind-violence-would-have-been-better-but-since-that/) [Jeanne McDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanne-mcdonald/) > [“I argued that she wasn't even alive when My Little Pony originally aired, but she retorted that she wasn't alive now, either, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/i-argued-that-she-wasn-t-even-alive-when-my-little-pony-originally/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“No, I wanna go kick puppies," she retorted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kenner/no-i-wanna-go-kick-puppies-she-retorted/) [Julie Kenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kenner/) > [“I'm sorry." 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"So, better get a jump on this while you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/how-do-you-feel-right-now-i-hurt-like-hell-you-ll-feel-worse-tomorrow/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“You are always dragging me down,' said I to my Body. 'Dragging \_you\_ down!' replied my Body. 'Well I like that! Who taught me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/you-are-always-dragging-me-down-said-i-to-my-body-dragging-you-down/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“You're not wearing that ," he informed me. "Yes,I am." "No,you're not." "Yes,I am." "You'll look ridiculous." "I beg your pardon?" I said, affronted.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cayla-kluver/you-re-not-wearing-that-he-informed-me-yes-i-am-no-you-re-not-yes-i/) [Cayla Kluver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cayla-kluver/) > [I should go. Stewart’s waitin’ for me. Says he wants to teach me how to use a sword properly.’ Riley hooted. ‘Can I watch?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jana-oliver/i-should-go-stewart-s-waitin-for-me-says-he-wants-to-teach-me-how-to/) [Jana Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jana-oliver/) > [“It wasn’t a mistake. I’m scared, but I don’t regret it.” “Why are you scared?” “How could I not be?” I retorted as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santino-hassell/it-wasn-t-a-mistake-i-m-scared-but-i-don-t-regret-it-why-are-you/) [Santino Hassell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santino-hassell/) > [Not sure," he retorted; "you call yourself a journalist, and admit there is a subject under Heaven of which you are not sure!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/not-sure-he-retorted-you-call-yourself-a-journalist-and-admit-there/) [Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/) > [“Movie. What's my favorite kind of movie?” “Is there a point to this?” “Please, Lucy. What's my favorite movie?” “Horror. Why?” “No reason,” I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlin-scott/movie-what-s-my-favorite-kind-of-movie-is-there-a-point-to-this/) [Kaitlin Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlin-scott/) > [“Fine.” “Fine,” he retorted. Meridian grunted and her tail slapped the wall again. Time dragged on, yet there was no place Edgard would rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorelei-james/fine-fine-he-retorted-meridian-grunted-and-her-tail-slapped-the-wall/) [Lorelei James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorelei-james/) > [What would they do to me," he asked in confidential tones, "if I refused to fly them?" We'd probably shoot you," ex-P.F.C. Wintergreen replied.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-heller/what-would-they-do-to-me-he-asked-in-confidential-tones-if-i-refused/) [Joseph Heller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-heller/) ## More by Jon Krakauer > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“Climbing mattered. 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That’s what was great about them. They tried. Not many do. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/but-everett-and-mccandless-at-least-they-tried-to-follow-their-dream/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“he was ready, perhaps, to shed a little of the armor he wore around his heart, that upon returning to civilization, he intended to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/he-was-ready-perhaps-to-shed-a-little-of-the-armor-he-wore-around-his/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [ “Continually question climbing pursuits. Do they draw one back to the climbing community? Or do they lead along the \[inner-directed\] path? This questioning generates… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/continually-question-climbing-pursuits-do-they-draw-one-back-to-the/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“The boy unmasked the gaping void in Franz's life even as he helped fill it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/the-boy-unmasked-the-gaping-void-in-franz-s-life-even-as-he-helped/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“Unlike Muir and Thoreau, McCandless went into the wilderness not primarily to ponder nature or the world at large but, rather, to explore the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/unlike-muir-and-thoreau-mccandless-went-into-the-wilderness-not/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [I'm intrigued by fanatics - people who are seduced by the promise, or the illusion, of the absolute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/i-m-intrigued-by-fanatics-people-who-are-seduced-by-the-promise-or/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/you-are-wrong-if-you-think-joy-emanates-only-or-principally-from/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [I mean, how can you not be a feminist if you have a brain in your head? If you’re not a feminist, then you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/i-mean-how-can-you-not-be-a-feminist-if-you-have-a-brain-in-your-head/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“...I quickly came to understand that climbing Everest was primarily about enduring pain. And in subjecting ourselves to week after week of toil, tedium,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/i-quickly-came-to-understand-that-climbing-everest-was-primarily/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“going to have to be real careful not to accept any gifts from them in the future because they will think they have bought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/going-to-have-to-be-real-careful-not-to-accept-any-gifts-from-them-in/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“He must have been very brave and very strong, at the end, not to do himself in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/he-must-have-been-very-brave-and-very-strong-at-the-end-not-to-do/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) [Explore all 221 Jon Krakauer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) ## More Alex quotes > [“I may be the one leaving, but you’re the one giving up everything and walking away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loni-flowers/i-may-be-the-one-leaving-but-you-re-the-one-giving-up-everything-and/) [Loni Flowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loni-flowers/) > [“At least when I'm sleeping I can dream myself back to Alex, can dream myself into a different world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/at-least-when-i-m-sleeping-i-can-dream-myself-back-to-alex-can-dream/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [I am actually working on The Neighbors sitcom. We are starting from scratch. I am also working on a comedy movie and a vampire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-wiseau/i-am-actually-working-on-the-neighbors-sitcom-we-are-starting-from/) [Tommy Wiseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-wiseau/) > [“Something’s up,’ I say, handing the phone back. ‘Not necessarily,’ Jack says. ‘You think this is the first time Lila’s been hot-headed? Seriously, dude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/something-s-up-i-say-handing-the-phone-back-not-necessarily-jack-says/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [Alex: Rosie, I wanted you to be the first person to no that I’ve decided to become a heart surgeon! Rosie: Cool, does it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/alex-rosie-i-wanted-you-to-be-the-first-person-to-no-that-i-ve/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“I breathed in the memory of his lips, the softness of them, and how they felt tracing across my skin, leaving ripples of goosebumps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alderson/i-breathed-in-the-memory-of-his-lips-the-softness-of-them-and-how/) [Sarah Alderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alderson/) > [ I remember having some problems with \[the Deus Ex theme\] when I first heard it and I was trying to figure out how to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-spector/i-remember-having-some-problems-with-the-deus-ex-theme-when-i-first/) [Warren Spector](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-spector/) > [You knew where you stood with Sir Alex Ferguson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-scholes/you-knew-where-you-stood-with-sir-alex-ferguson/) [Paul Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-scholes/) > [“Welcome home, Soldier of Furnace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/welcome-home-soldier-of-furnace/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“It’s not great. What kind of connection is this? A one-way hotline to Pervyville?” I took a step forward, on a roll now. “It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/it-s-not-great-what-kind-of-connection-is-this-a-one-way-hotline-to/) [Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/) > [He read a lot. He used a lot of big words. I think maybe part of what got him into trouble was that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/he-read-a-lot-he-used-a-lot-of-big-words-i-think-maybe-part-of-what/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [Your name?"The movements of the man's mouth didn't quite match what he was saying, so seeing him speak was a bit like watching a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/your-name-the-movements-of-the-man-s-mouth-didn-t-quite-match-what-he/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [Dora appeared, placing Alex's coffee in front of him."Your girlfriend is a wonder, honey,"she siad to him, squeezing willows shoulder. Willow's smile turned strained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dora-appeared-placing-alex-s-coffee-in-front-of-him-your-girlfriend/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do have high expectations for Alex Riley. He seems athletic, articulate and intelligent. Only time will tell how far he goes, but Riley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ross/i-do-have-high-expectations-for-alex-riley-he-seems-athletic/) [Jim Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ross/) > [“I mean, contrary to popular belief, I'm actually not harboring a secret desire to grow up and become a bioterrorist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-norris/i-mean-contrary-to-popular-belief-i-m-actually-not-harboring-a-secret/) [Elizabeth Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-norris/) [Browse all 479 Alex quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alex/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you don't take it, I'm going to throw it away,\" Alex cheerfully retorted. \"I don't want to know what time it is. I don't want to know what day it is or where I am. 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