--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in…" description: "\"It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in those early days - I'd have whatever dry cereal there was in the house for breakfast, 30 cents to spend on lun..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/neil-diamond-3621_breakfast_it-was-a-real-hand-to-mouth-existence-in_1645922.png" --- # It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in those early days… ![“It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in those early days - I'd have whatever dry cereal there was in the house for breakfast, 30 cents to spend on lunch and a hot dog for dinner. I did that for years. So there was definitely a hunger in me, of various kinds, to succeed.” quote by Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/neil-diamond-3621_breakfast_it-was-a-real-hand-to-mouth-existence-in_1645922.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/neil-diamond-3621_breakfast_it-was-a-real-hand-to-mouth-existence-in_1645922.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/57b/neil-diamond-3621_breakfast_it-was-a-real-hand-to-mouth-existence-in_1645922.png) > “It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in those early days - I'd have whatever dry cereal there was in the house for breakfast, 30 cents to spend on lunch and a hot dog for dinner. I did that for years. So there was definitely a hunger in me, of various kinds, to succeed.” [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early poverty created a deep hunger for success, motivating relentless effort to overcome scarcity and achieve stability. **In simple terms:** Poverty fuels drive for achievement. Key Takeaway Channel scarcity into ambition. Themes perseverance motivation economic struggle Mood determined hopeful Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - career building - financial planning - goal setting Key Concepts sociology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How does past hardship shape your current goals? - What strategies keep you motivated during setbacks? A Different Perspective Hunger may lead to burnout; external factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Hunger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [The early days were really difficult because it was constant no's, I didn't have an agent. I always knew that I had something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madelyn-cline/the-early-days-were-really-difficult-because-it-was-constant-no-s-i/) [Madelyn Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madelyn-cline/) > [I grew up in business at a time where there weren't very many female role models, and so in the early days, we wore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irene-rosenfeld/i-grew-up-in-business-at-a-time-where-there-weren-t-very-many-female/) [Irene Rosenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irene-rosenfeld/) > [I had to learn some hard lessons in my early days because I was a bit of a showman, a kind of Jekyl and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-grobbelaar/i-had-to-learn-some-hard-lessons-in-my-early-days-because-i-was-a-bit/) [Bruce Grobbelaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-grobbelaar/) > [I had so much fun in early days learning about networking, security, scalability and other geeky stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-koum/i-had-so-much-fun-in-early-days-learning-about-networking-security/) [Jan Koum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-koum/) > [In the early days, you would get skinheads, the Eagles and Black Sabbath playing the same show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/in-the-early-days-you-would-get-skinheads-the-eagles-and-black/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [In the early days at Asymetrix, we were focusing on business automation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/in-the-early-days-at-asymetrix-we-were-focusing-on-business-automation/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [I look back on the early days of Free with Paul Kossoff with the most fondness of any of my bands, because I met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/i-look-back-on-the-early-days-of-free-with-paul-kossoff-with-the-most/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [I was rejected a lot in the early days - I think I heard the word 'no' nine times - and I began to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cafu/i-was-rejected-a-lot-in-the-early-days-i-think-i-heard-the-word-no/) [Cafu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cafu/) > [Even in the early days of America when it was largely an agrarian or agricultural, farmer-type of economy. There were still cities; there were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/even-in-the-early-days-of-america-when-it-was-largely-an-agrarian-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We were asked to believe that the variety and the novelty of even the crude films of the early days would provide a means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivor-novello/we-were-asked-to-believe-that-the-variety-and-the-novelty-of-even-the/) [Ivor Novello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivor-novello/) > [I started to write about science and medicine at the 'Washington Post,' in the early days of the AIDS epidemic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-specter/i-started-to-write-about-science-and-medicine-at-the-washington-post/) [Michael Specter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-specter/) > [I love the early days of seasons, because you are filled with all of these possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-duffer/i-love-the-early-days-of-seasons-because-you-are-filled-with-all-of/) [Ross Duffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-duffer/) > [Of course, neither David or myself ever saw a penny from them; it was the early days of merchandising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-vaughn/of-course-neither-david-or-myself-ever-saw-a-penny-from-them-it-was/) [Robert Vaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-vaughn/) > [I just remember the early days of Tenacious D. There was no talk or thought about doing a TV show or a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-black/i-just-remember-the-early-days-of-tenacious-d-there-was-no-talk-or/) [Jack Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-black/) > [We took the whole thing far too seriously. After all, those were early days in television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-wise/we-took-the-whole-thing-far-too-seriously-after-all-those-were-early/) [Ernie Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-wise/) ## More by Neil Diamond > [I don't feel I have to write deep and meaningful songs; they can be light and meaningless. It has to do with the place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-don-t-feel-i-have-to-write-deep-and-meaningful-songs-they-can-be/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [You can't plan to write a great song. It just happens to you. It drops in your lap. It's the same thing with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/you-can-t-plan-to-write-a-great-song-it-just-happens-to-you-it-drops/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [The cardinal rule for any performer is that they should know themselves before they enter the spotlight, and I didn't. I was just Neil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/the-cardinal-rule-for-any-performer-is-that-they-should-know/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [“BE Lost On a painted sky Where the clouds are hung For the poet's eye You may find him If you may find him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/be-lost-on-a-painted-sky-where-the-clouds-are-hung-for-the-poet-s-eye/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Well, I Am... I Said was a very difficult song, very difficult because I really had to spend a lot of time thinking about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/well-i-am-i-said-was-a-very-difficult-song-very-difficult-because-i/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I had always held everything in before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-had-always-held-everything-in-before/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Brooklyn is not the easiest place to grow up in, although I wouldn't change that experience for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/brooklyn-is-not-the-easiest-place-to-grow-up-in-although-i-wouldn-t/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [One of the things I've been panting to do, in fact, is write some music for a fencing-ballet, the movements, music and staging would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/one-of-the-things-i-ve-been-panting-to-do-in-fact-is-write-some-music/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Shilo, when I was young, I used to call you name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/shilo-when-i-was-young-i-used-to-call-you-name/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Performing is the easiest part of what I do, and songwriting is the hardest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/performing-is-the-easiest-part-of-what-i-do-and-songwriting-is-the/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [Whatever success I've had so far has been assimilated into my body and mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/whatever-success-i-ve-had-so-far-has-been-assimilated-into-my-body/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I thank the Lord for the night time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-thank-the-lord-for-the-night-time/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [I followed all life's pleasures wherever they would lead, but someone I can treasure is all I really need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/i-followed-all-life-s-pleasures-wherever-they-would-lead-but-someone/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [When you're on a merry-go-round, you miss a lot of the scenery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/when-you-re-on-a-merry-go-round-you-miss-a-lot-of-the-scenery/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [But you make me sing like a guitar humming . . .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/but-you-make-me-sing-like-a-guitar-humming/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) [Explore all 126 Neil Diamond quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) ## More Breakfast quotes > [Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans. Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [“Well, maybe you can make me dinner sometime,” he says to me, his voice taking on this silken quality that feels like stepping into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/well-maybe-you-can-make-me-dinner-sometime-he-says-to-me-his-voice/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [Everyday happiness means getting up in the morning, and you can't wait to finish your breakfast. You can't wait to do your exercises. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/everyday-happiness-means-getting-up-in-the-morning-and-you-can-t-wait/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [Guys wake up at your place and they expect breakfast. They don't eat bagels and M&M's in the morning. They want things like toast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elayne-boosler/guys-wake-up-at-your-place-and-they-expect-breakfast-they-don-t-eat/) [Elayne Boosler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elayne-boosler/) > [My mom cares that I tweeted a picture of my breakfast. She's knows I'm eating and I'm safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-dorsey/my-mom-cares-that-i-tweeted-a-picture-of-my-breakfast-she-s-knows-i-m/) [Jack Dorsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-dorsey/) > [I'll take the kids to school after breakfast. I love doing that - love being a dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darius-rucker/i-ll-take-the-kids-to-school-after-breakfast-i-love-doing-that-love/) [Darius Rucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darius-rucker/) > [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [I always wanted to be a movie star. I thought it meant being famous and having breakfast in bed. I didn't know you had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/june-allyson/i-always-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star-i-thought-it-meant-being-famous/) [June Allyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/june-allyson/) > [I am first one in the gym, I do cardio before I have breakfast, and I am training hard every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jinder-mahal/i-am-first-one-in-the-gym-i-do-cardio-before-i-have-breakfast-and-i/) [Jinder Mahal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jinder-mahal/) > [When I saw 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' and Audrey Hepburn was standing in front of Tiffany's in this Givenchy dress, or when I saw 'All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-whitfield/when-i-saw-breakfast-at-tiffany-s-and-audrey-hepburn-was-standing-in/) [Lynn Whitfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-whitfield/) > [Girl, he wants to dip you in Frosted Flakes and have you for breakfast. That's his favorite cereal, by the way." I...had no words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/girl-he-wants-to-dip-you-in-frosted-flakes-and-have-you-for-breakfast/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) > [“    Breakfast was ready. He could hear his father asking for coffee. Why did his father have to yell all the time? Couldn't he talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fante/breakfast-was-ready-he-could-hear-his-father-asking-for-coffee-why/) [John Fante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fante/) > [Your favorite kind of cake can't be birthday cake, that's like saying your favorite kind of cereal is breakfast cereal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aziz-ansari/your-favorite-kind-of-cake-can-t-be-birthday-cake-that-s-like-saying/) [Aziz Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aziz-ansari/) > [I try to cover three food groups at breakfast. I see that as a licence to eat rubbish for the rest of the day.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-millican/i-try-to-cover-three-food-groups-at-breakfast-i-see-that-as-a-licence/) [Sarah Millican](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-millican/) > [I want to be challenged I want to work and I want to feel that I am not being held back that there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sofia-vassilieva/i-want-to-be-challenged-i-want-to-work-and-i-want-to-feel-that-i-am/) [Sofia Vassilieva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sofia-vassilieva/) Browse all 1,505 Breakfast quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It was a real hand-to-mouth existence in those early days - I'd have whatever dry cereal there was in the house for breakfast, 30 cents to spend on lunch and a hot dog for dinner. I did that for years. 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