---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He's a conundrum- and there's still a…"
description: "\"“He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from the puzzle.\" Whatever that piece was, there was a part of me telling me not to get involved- ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png"
---

#  He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from…

![“He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from the puzzle.&quot; Whatever that piece was, there was a part of me telling me not to get involved- that it was too much to handle. That you shouldn't go out on a limb unless you're absolutely sure the limb can support your weight.” quote by Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png)

> ““He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from the puzzle." Whatever that piece was, there was a part of me telling me not to get involved- that it was too much to handle. That you shouldn't go out on a limb unless you're absolutely sure the limb can support your weight.””

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A person feels conflicted about involvement, fearing the unknown and the weight of responsibility.

**In simple terms:** Fear of commitment and unknown consequences.

Key Takeaway

Weigh risks before committing.

Themes

commitment fear responsibility decision making

Mood

anxious reflective

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- career choices
- team projects

Key Concepts

psychology risk assessment self‑doubt

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes you hesitate to act?
- How can you assess if a risk is manageable?

A Different Perspective

Overconfidence can lead to missed opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conundrum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conundrum/) [Conundrum Piece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conundrum-piece-2191205/) [Limb Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limb-support-2191208/) [Limb Unless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/limb-unless-2191206/) [Missing-pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missing-pieces-123509/) [Risk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/risk/) [Shouldn Limb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shouldn-limb-2191207/)

## Related quotes

> [“When our thoughts are unsettled and our inner world is in a muddle, we may sharpen our wits and try to recognize the invisible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-our-thoughts-are-unsettled-and-our-inner-world-is-in-a-muddle-we/)

[Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/)

> [“The real conundrum”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-marr/the-real-conundrum/)

[Andrew Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-marr/)

> [“Never presume to know a person based on the one dimensional window of the internet. A soul can’t be defined by critics, enemies or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/never-presume-to-know-a-person-based-on-the-one-dimensional-window-of/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> ['Quantum Conundrum' is a direct reflection, not just of me, but of our entire team. It has a little bit of all of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-swift/quantum-conundrum-is-a-direct-reflection-not-just-of-me-but-of-our/)

[Kim Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-swift/)

> [“Joy must be chosen, but the deeper conundrum is that it can't be controlled or cajoled as to when it will come or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-b-allender/joy-must-be-chosen-but-the-deeper-conundrum-is-that-it-can-t-be/)

[Dan B. Allender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-b-allender/)

> [“Conundrum:  A fun word to repeat over and over again when no one's listening. Actual meaning is as puzzling as the need to chant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/conundrum-a-fun-word-to-repeat-over-and-over-again-when-no-one-s/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [I will always face the conundrum that the subjects I'm attracted to aren't essentially commercial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-will-always-face-the-conundrum-that-the-subjects-i-m-attracted-to/)

[Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/)

> [“Happiness, if you think about it, is the biggest conundrum we face. The pursuit of it is why we do basically everything that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-wiest/happiness-if-you-think-about-it-is-the-biggest-conundrum-we-face-the/)

[Brianna Wiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-wiest/)

> [“I am not perfect, but if I looked perfect to everyone I must have been rocking imperfect perfectly to a few imperfect souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/i-am-not-perfect-but-if-i-looked-perfect-to-everyone-i-must-have-been/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [“Leaving this conundrum”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-louisa-locke/leaving-this-conundrum/)

[M. Louisa Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-louisa-locke/)

> [The conundrum of free will and destiny has always kept me dangling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shatner/the-conundrum-of-free-will-and-destiny-has-always-kept-me-dangling/)

[William Shatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shatner/)

> [I'm a conundrum. Or an enigma. I forget which.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-owen/i-m-a-conundrum-or-an-enigma-i-forget-which/)

[James A. Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-owen/)

> [“he presented me with a mathematical conundrum,” he said. “It’s a famous one, the P = NP problem. Basically, it asks whether it’s more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keigo-higashino/he-presented-me-with-a-mathematical-conundrum-he-said-it-s-a-famous/)

[Keigo Higashino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keigo-higashino/)

> [I think it's a conundrum. If we have no laws on this, people take it to one extension further, does it have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-conundrum-if-we-have-no-laws-on-this-people-take-it-to/)

[Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/)

> [That's one thing about Dave Filoni. He doesn't call me up unless there's something to think about or there's something that we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-witwer/that-s-one-thing-about-dave-filoni-he-doesn-t-call-me-up-unless-there/)

[Samuel Witwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-witwer/)

## More by Neal Shusterman

> [“Picking locks was not a skill he had ever cultivated, but he persisted day after day, turning the tip of his talon into different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/picking-locks-was-not-a-skill-he-had-ever-cultivated-but-he-persisted/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“If you come anywhere near my daughter, I will see to it that you are taken apart piece by bloody piece. Do I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/if-you-come-anywhere-near-my-daughter-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [Dead kids are put on pedestals, but mentally ill kids get hidden under the rug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/dead-kids-are-put-on-pedestals-but-mentally-ill-kids-get-hidden-under/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“The fear of not living is a deep, abiding dread of watching your own potential decompose into irredeemable disappointment when “should be” gets crushed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/the-fear-of-not-living-is-a-deep-abiding-dread-of-watching-your-own/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [That's wisdom you can take to the grave, and dig up when you need it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/that-s-wisdom-you-can-take-to-the-grave-and-dig-up-when-you-need-it/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“And you know the darkness beyond despair, just as intimately as you know the soaring heights. Because in this and all universes, there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/and-you-know-the-darkness-beyond-despair-just-as-intimately-as-you/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [You may feel a tugging sensation near your ankles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/you-may-feel-a-tugging-sensation-near-your-ankles/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“while an adult could rarely be universally loved, everyone could love the right kid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/while-an-adult-could-rarely-be-universally-loved-everyone-could-love/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“It's like art, you know? Picasso had to prove to the world he can paint the right way, before he goes putting both eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/it-s-like-art-you-know-picasso-had-to-prove-to-the-world-he-can-paint/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [The way I see it, the impossible happens all the time; but we're so good at taking it for granted, we forget it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/the-way-i-see-it-the-impossible-happens-all-the-time-but-we-re-so/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“a true leader never puts his ego ahead of his assets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/a-true-leader-never-puts-his-ego-ahead-of-his-assets/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [If you have to ask then you don't deserve an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/if-you-have-to-ask-then-you-don-t-deserve-an-answer/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“There was never anything wrong with my life. Perhaps that was the problem... The crack in my life was the fact that I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/there-was-never-anything-wrong-with-my-life-perhaps-that-was-the/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“But fate is a freak when it comes to messing with your future in ways you don't see coming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/but-fate-is-a-freak-when-it-comes-to-messing-with-your-future-in-ways/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“The sad truth about humanity, Risa was quick to realize, is that people believe what they are told. Maybe not the first time, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/the-sad-truth-about-humanity-risa-was-quick-to-realize-is-that-people/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

[Explore all 573 Neal Shusterman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

## More Conundrum quotes

> [“The real conundrum”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-marr/the-real-conundrum/)

[Andrew Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-marr/)

> [I think it's a conundrum. If we have no laws on this, people take it to one extension further, does it have to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-conundrum-if-we-have-no-laws-on-this-people-take-it-to/)

[Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/)

> [“he presented me with a mathematical conundrum,” he said. “It’s a famous one, the P = NP problem. Basically, it asks whether it’s more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keigo-higashino/he-presented-me-with-a-mathematical-conundrum-he-said-it-s-a-famous/)

[Keigo Higashino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keigo-higashino/)

> [I'm a conundrum. Or an enigma. I forget which.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-owen/i-m-a-conundrum-or-an-enigma-i-forget-which/)

[James A. Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-owen/)

> [The conundrum of free will and destiny has always kept me dangling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shatner/the-conundrum-of-free-will-and-destiny-has-always-kept-me-dangling/)

[William Shatner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shatner/)

> [“Leaving this conundrum”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-louisa-locke/leaving-this-conundrum/)

[M. Louisa Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-louisa-locke/)

> [“I am not perfect, but if I looked perfect to everyone I must have been rocking imperfect perfectly to a few imperfect souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/i-am-not-perfect-but-if-i-looked-perfect-to-everyone-i-must-have-been/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [“Happiness, if you think about it, is the biggest conundrum we face. The pursuit of it is why we do basically everything that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-wiest/happiness-if-you-think-about-it-is-the-biggest-conundrum-we-face-the/)

[Brianna Wiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-wiest/)

> [I will always face the conundrum that the subjects I'm attracted to aren't essentially commercial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-granik/i-will-always-face-the-conundrum-that-the-subjects-i-m-attracted-to/)

[Debra Granik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-granik/)

> [“Conundrum:  A fun word to repeat over and over again when no one's listening. Actual meaning is as puzzling as the need to chant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/conundrum-a-fun-word-to-repeat-over-and-over-again-when-no-one-s/)

[Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/)

> [“Joy must be chosen, but the deeper conundrum is that it can't be controlled or cajoled as to when it will come or how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-b-allender/joy-must-be-chosen-but-the-deeper-conundrum-is-that-it-can-t-be/)

[Dan B. Allender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-b-allender/)

> ['Quantum Conundrum' is a direct reflection, not just of me, but of our entire team. It has a little bit of all of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-swift/quantum-conundrum-is-a-direct-reflection-not-just-of-me-but-of-our/)

[Kim Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-swift/)

> [“Never presume to know a person based on the one dimensional window of the internet. A soul can’t be defined by critics, enemies or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/never-presume-to-know-a-person-based-on-the-one-dimensional-window-of/)

[Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/)

> [That's one thing about Dave Filoni. He doesn't call me up unless there's something to think about or there's something that we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-witwer/that-s-one-thing-about-dave-filoni-he-doesn-t-call-me-up-unless-there/)

[Samuel Witwer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-witwer/)

> ['Quantum Conundrum' has a little bit of something for everybody - it's got something for kids and it's got enough of a challenge for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-swift/quantum-conundrum-has-a-little-bit-of-something-for-everybody-it-s/)

[Kim Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-swift/)

[Browse all 20 Conundrum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conundrum/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from the puzzle.\" Whatever that piece was, there was a part of me telling me not to get involved- that it was too much to handle. That you shouldn't go out on a limb unless you're absolutely sure the limb can support your weight.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Neal Shusterman"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-piece-missing-from-the-puzzle/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conundrum"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-piece-missing-from-the-puzzle/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e5/neal-shusterman-412_conundrum_he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-pie_2631194.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“He's a conundrum- and there's still a piece missing from the puzzle.\" Whatever that piece was, there was a…” — Neal Shusterman",
                "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": "Neal Shusterman",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“He's a conundrum- and there's still...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-piece-missing-from-the-puzzle/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/he-s-a-conundrum-and-there-s-still-a-piece-missing-from-the-puzzle/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
