--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've learned quite a lot, over the years…" description: "\"I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what I was supposed to be learning.\" — Margaret Atwood" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg" --- # I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what… ![“I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what I was supposed to be learning.” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg) > “I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what I was supposed to be learning.” [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding prescribed learning can lead to unexpected, valuable insights and self‑directed growth **In simple terms:** Learning outside expectations can be rewarding Key Takeaway Embrace unconventional learning paths Themes self‑direction curiosity nonconformity personal growth Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - personal exploration - educational reform Key Concepts Self‑directed learning critical thinking creative problem solving Questions to Reflect On - What have you discovered by deviating from expected learning? - How can we integrate structured and unstructured learning? A Different Perspective May risk missing essential foundational knowledge ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) ## Related quotes > [A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/a-day-can-really-slip-by-when-you-re-deliberately-avoiding-what-you/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [“All around us were people I had spent ten years avoiding--shapeless women in wool bathing suits, dull-eyed men with hairless legs and self-conscious laughs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/all-around-us-were-people-i-had-spent-ten-years-avoiding-shapeless/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [You're supposed to keep learning. You're not supposed to stagnate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stevens/you-re-supposed-to-keep-learning-you-re-not-supposed-to-stagnate/) [Brad Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stevens/) > [“To cut a long story short, coaching by Charlotte and Mr. Giordano was even worse than I’d expected. That was mainly because they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerstin-gier/to-cut-a-long-story-short-coaching-by-charlotte-and-mr-giordano-was/) [Kerstin Gier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerstin-gier/) > [“Education's supposed to be more than learning--leastways that's how we were taught. It's supposed to help build your character and help teach you how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/education-s-supposed-to-be-more-than-learning-leastways-that-s-how-we/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [Children are not supposed to be learning about adult topics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-robinson/children-are-not-supposed-to-be-learning-about-adult-topics/) [Mark Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-robinson/) > [“I have learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-learned-by-now-to-be-quite-content-whatever-my-circumstances/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I always took quite seriously the things that Chuck D. of Public Enemy had to say. He's always been someone I've learned quite a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-always-took-quite-seriously-the-things-that-chuck-d-of-public-enemy/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [I guess I'm lucky I learned quite young not to really care what people say. I've learnt young to take a stand if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-cambage/i-guess-i-m-lucky-i-learned-quite-young-not-to-really-care-what/) [Liz Cambage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-cambage/) > [“Nothing learned is ever quite wasted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellis-peters/nothing-learned-is-ever-quite-wasted/) [Ellis Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellis-peters/) > [I learned quite early on in life that we are all two people. And one of those people none of us will ever know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-mirren/i-learned-quite-early-on-in-life-that-we-are-all-two-people-and-one/) [Helen Mirren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-mirren/) > [I think I've learned quite a bit about the battle of the sexes or, at least, how to keep the status quo a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-gonzalez/i-think-i-ve-learned-quite-a-bit-about-the-battle-of-the-sexes-or-at/) [Nicholas Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-gonzalez/) > [Roy Schneider was cool. I learned quite a bit from him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-brandis/roy-schneider-was-cool-i-learned-quite-a-bit-from-him/) [Jonathan Brandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-brandis/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) ## More by Margaret Atwood > [“I'm fine," said Pilar, "for the moment. And the moment is the only time we can be fine in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-m-fine-said-pilar-for-the-moment-and-the-moment-is-the-only-time-we/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [And yet it disturbs me to learn I have hurt someone unintentionally. I want all my hurts to be intentional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/and-yet-it-disturbs-me-to-learn-i-have-hurt-someone-unintentionally-i/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Mary: Some call this "Eve's curse," but I think that is stupid because the real curse of Eve was having to put up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/mary-some-call-this-eve-s-curse-but-i-think-that-is-stupid-because/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The birds were singing around me, but I reflected that the very birds were strangers to me, for I did not even know their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-birds-were-singing-around-me-but-i-reflected-that-the-very-birds/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Strange how we decorate pain. These ribbons, for instance, and the small hard teardrops of blood. Who are they for? Do we think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/strange-how-we-decorate-pain-these-ribbons-for-instance-and-the-small/) [margaret atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [I wanted to forget the past, but it refused to forget me; it waited for sleep, then cornered me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-wanted-to-forget-the-past-but-it-refused-to-forget-me-it-waited-for/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Back at home they drew the curtains and read, with disapproval, with relish, with avidity and glee - even the ones who'd never thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/back-at-home-they-drew-the-curtains-and-read-with-disapproval-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“It's my fault. I am forgetting too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/it-s-my-fault-i-am-forgetting-too-much/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [All fiction is about people, unless it's about rabbits pretending to be people. It's all essentially characters in action, which means characters moving through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/all-fiction-is-about-people-unless-it-s-about-rabbits-pretending-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Simon walks back to the house alone. The night is clear and warm, with a moon, almost full, enclosed in a nimbus of mist;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/simon-walks-back-to-the-house-alone-the-night-is-clear-and-warm-with/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“There is indeed something delightful about being able to combine obedience and disobedience in the same act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/there-is-indeed-something-delightful-about-being-able-to-combine/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“Every time the women appear, Snowman is astonished all over again. They're every known colour from the deepest black to whitest white, they're various…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/every-time-the-women-appear-snowman-is-astonished-all-over-again-they/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Once you publish a book, it is out of your control. You cannot dictate how people read it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/once-you-publish-a-book-it-is-out-of-your-control-you-cannot-dictate/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“The more difficult it was to love the particular man beside us, the more we believed in Love, abstract and total. We were waiting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/the-more-difficult-it-was-to-love-the-particular-man-beside-us-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“She knows she's deceiving herself about that, but she prefers to deceive herself. She desperately needs to believe such pure joy is still possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/she-knows-she-s-deceiving-herself-about-that-but-she-prefers-to/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) [Explore all 2,072 Margaret Atwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) ## More Avoiding quotes > [Because after you've crossed some lines, you just keep crossing them. And there's no escaping from constant escape. Distracting ourselves. Avoiding confrontation. Getting past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/because-after-you-ve-crossed-some-lines-you-just-keep-crossing-them/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [I've always been a very restless person. I work hard, spend too much time looking after my son, I dance like a mad thing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/i-ve-always-been-a-very-restless-person-i-work-hard-spend-too-much/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“What I'm trying to say is that I spent the last four months learning to be alone, avoiding the world, hating pretty much anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/what-i-m-trying-to-say-is-that-i-spent-the-last-four-months-learning/) [Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/) > [ I can hardly believe what these 12 caricatures \[about Prophet Muhammad\] have caused in the world. We Danes feel like we have been placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anders-fogh-rasmussen/i-can-hardly-believe-what-these-12-caricatures-about-prophet-muhammad/) [Anders Fogh Rasmussen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anders-fogh-rasmussen/) > [I know a bit about taxation and the remarkable effort that goes in to avoiding it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rinder/i-know-a-bit-about-taxation-and-the-remarkable-effort-that-goes-in-to/) [Robert Rinder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rinder/) > [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/) [Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/) > [I don't believe in happy endings. Children have got to face death sooner or later. Granny and Grandpa die, dogs die, cats die, gerbils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-briggs/i-don-t-believe-in-happy-endings-children-have-got-to-face-death/) Raymond Briggs > [Resisting and avoiding pain sucks energy-and time. The more you let yourself feel those minute-and-a-half hells, the quicker you'll start feeling those minute-and-a-half happinesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-newman/resisting-and-avoiding-pain-sucks-energy-and-time-the-more-you-let/) [Leigh Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-newman/) > [Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-helps/reading-is-sometimes-an-ingenious-device-for-avoiding-thought/) [Arthur Helps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-helps/) > [A day can really slip by when you're deliberately avoiding what you're supposed to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-watterson/a-day-can-really-slip-by-when-you-re-deliberately-avoiding-what-you/) [Bill Watterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-watterson/) > [When someone starts Ignoring you, just back off without staying there with them Just to know the reason for avoiding..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vishak/when-someone-starts-ignoring-you-just-back-off-without-staying-there/) [Vishak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vishak/) > [You know what takes effort? Being kind, being patient, being respectful, telling someone how you feel politely instead of just avoiding them for six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-tapper/you-know-what-takes-effort-being-kind-being-patient-being-respectful/) [Jake Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-tapper/) > [It's all about being flexible, and avoiding choices whenever possible. Choices suck, they are inherently limiting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-armstrong/it-s-all-about-being-flexible-and-avoiding-choices-whenever-possible/) Craig Armstrong > [In my personal life I'm very conservative. I've been married to the same person for nearly 50 years, I'm scrupulous about paying bills, avoiding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/in-my-personal-life-i-m-very-conservative-i-ve-been-married-to-the/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) Browse all 713 Avoiding quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what I was supposed to be learning.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret Atwood" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years-by-avoiding-what-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Avoiding" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years-by-avoiding-what-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d7/margaret-atwood-40_avoiding_i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years_329174.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've learned quite a lot, over the years, by avoiding what I was supposed to be learning.” — Margaret Atwood", "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": "Margaret Atwood", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've learned quite a lot, over...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years-by-avoiding-what-i-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-ve-learned-quite-a-lot-over-the-years-by-avoiding-what-i-was/#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 } } ] } ```