--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You can settle for reality, or you can go…" description: "\"You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.\" — Nora Ephron" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg" --- # You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a… ![“You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.” quote by Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg) > “You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.” [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing between accepting the world as it is or daring to imagine alternatives. **In simple terms:** Accept reality or dream bigger. Key Takeaway Embrace imagination over complacency. Themes creativity choice imagination Mood inspired reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal growth - artistic projects - social change - career pivots Key Concepts vision risk-taking optimism Questions to Reflect On - What new dream could transform your life? - How do you balance realism with imagination? A Different Perspective Dreaming may ignore practical constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Heartburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heartburn/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [And then the dreams break into a million tiny pieces. The dream dies. Which leaves you with a choice: you can settle for reality,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/and-then-the-dreams-break-into-a-million-tiny-pieces-the-dream-dies/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [It's better to live as your own man, than as a fool in someone else's dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-landau/it-s-better-to-live-as-your-own-man-than-as-a-fool-in-someone-else-s/) [Martin Landau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-landau/) > [“I refuse to settle for what you call reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/i-refuse-to-settle-for-what-you-call-reality/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) > [“Being lucky is a fool's dream, winning through deceit is a coward's intent, success without caring for others is a complete failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/being-lucky-is-a-fool-s-dream-winning-through-deceit-is-a-coward-s/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [“And then the world beats you down a little, and some of the color goes out of life, and you settle for reality…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/and-then-the-world-beats-you-down-a-little-and-some-of-the-color-goes/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [Sometimes I believe that some people are better at love than others, and sometimes I believe that everyone is faking it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/sometimes-i-believe-that-some-people-are-better-at-love-than-others/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [After all, if you make your enemy look like a fool, you lose the justification for engaging him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/after-all-if-you-make-your-enemy-look-like-a-fool-you-lose-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In order to share one's true brilliance one initially has to risk looking like a fool: genius is like a wheel that spins so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/in-order-to-share-one-s-true-brilliance-one-initially-has-to-risk/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Dont play me like a fool, cause that aint cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-play-me-like-a-fool-cause-that-aint-cool/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Stop acting like you're smart and you know everything... it makes you look like a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-acting-like-you-re-smart-and-you-know-everything-it-makes-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never, ever, ever wear anything you are uncomfortable in. Because that is what you'll project: 'I look like a fool.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/never-ever-ever-wear-anything-you-are-uncomfortable-in-because-that/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriah-dreamer/it-doesn-t-interest-me-how-old-you-are-i-want-to-know-if-you-will/) [Oriah Dreamer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriah-dreamer/) > [Do I look like a fool to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/do-i-look-like-a-fool-to-you/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [I stand for all people even if it causes me political heartburn - and I'm going to do that no matter what my future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-turner/i-stand-for-all-people-even-if-it-causes-me-political-heartburn-and-i/) [Nina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-turner/) > [“This is it I’m not coming after you I’m going to lie down for half an hour This is it I’m not going down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/this-is-it-i-m-not-coming-after-you-i-m-going-to-lie-down-for-half-an/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) ## More by Nora Ephron > [ “\[S\]ometimes, when you are a food person, the possible irrelevance of what you are doing doesn’t cross your mind until it’s too late. (Once,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/s-ometimes-when-you-are-a-food-person-the-possible-irrelevance-of/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“That's the catch about betrayal, of course: that it feels good, that there's something immensely pleasurable about moving from a complicated relationship which involves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/that-s-the-catch-about-betrayal-of-course-that-it-feels-good-that/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/the-whole-purpose-of-places-like-starbucks-is-for-people-with-no/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [Death is a sniper. It strikes people you love, people you like, people you know - it's everywhere. You could be next. But then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/death-is-a-sniper-it-strikes-people-you-love-people-you-like-people/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > ['When you slip on a banana peel, people laugh at you. When you tell people you slipped on a banana peel, it's your laugh.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/when-you-slip-on-a-banana-peel-people-laugh-at-you-when-you-tell/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“I wish he were better at hailing taxis than I am; on the other hand, I realize that expectation is culturally conditioned, utterly foolish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/i-wish-he-were-better-at-hailing-taxis-than-i-am-on-the-other-hand-i/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [You enter into a certain amount of madness when you marry a person with pets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-enter-into-a-certain-amount-of-madness-when-you-marry-a-person/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [I never went near the Wellesley College chapel in my four years there, but I am still amazed at the amount of Christian charity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/i-never-went-near-the-wellesley-college-chapel-in-my-four-years-there/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [You can't call yourself a feminist if you don't believe in the right to abortion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-can-t-call-yourself-a-feminist-if-you-don-t-believe-in-the-right/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“I always read the last page of a book first so that if I die before I finish I'll know how it turned out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/i-always-read-the-last-page-of-a-book-first-so-that-if-i-die-before-i/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“If I was home alone at night, I cooked myself an entire meal from one of these cookbooks. Then I sat down in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/if-i-was-home-alone-at-night-i-cooked-myself-an-entire-meal-from-one/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“The next man I was involved with lived in Boston. He taught me to cook mushrooms. He taught me that if you heat the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/the-next-man-i-was-involved-with-lived-in-boston-he-taught-me-to-cook/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/whatever-you-choose-however-many-roads-you-travel-i-hope-that-you/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [A man who finishes a book is always alone when he finishes it...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/a-man-who-finishes-a-book-is-always-alone-when-he-finishes-it/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) > [“I hear myself saying these words: What this movement is about is options. I say it to friends who are frustrated, or housebound, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/i-hear-myself-saying-these-words-what-this-movement-is-about-is/) [Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) [Explore all 272 Nora Ephron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/) ## More Dream quotes > [“Once we become sensitive to dreams, we discover that every dynamic in a dream is manifesting itself in some way in our practical lives”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-johnson/once-we-become-sensitive-to-dreams-we-discover-that-every-dynamic-in/) [Robert A. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-johnson/) > [A thing of beauty is a joy for ever;It's loveliness increase;it will never pass into nothingness;but still will keep a bower quiet for us,and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keats/a-thing-of-beauty-is-a-joy-for-ever-it-s-loveliness-increase-it-will/) [John Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keats/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“Not that it matters, when you dream, there's no outside or in. Your mind is an unimaginable bloom. A willow catkin as big as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-shapero/not-that-it-matters-when-you-dream-there-s-no-outside-or-in-your-mind/) [Rich Shapero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-shapero/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [“As dreams are the healing songs from the wilderness of our unconscious - So wild animals, wild plants, wild landscapes are the healing dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-pendell/as-dreams-are-the-healing-songs-from-the-wilderness-of-our/) [Dale Pendell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-pendell/) > [Alone in a world, With millions of souls Walking in circles Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean walking in circles, now do not disturb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-bennington/alone-in-a-world-with-millions-of-souls-walking-in-circles-trapped-in/) [Chester Bennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-bennington/) > [“Doing the work to transform your dreams into reality is like walking across the earth. It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [As far as Im concerned, I didnt dream - ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-sturgeon/as-far-as-im-concerned-i-didnt-dream-ever/) [Theodore Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-sturgeon/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [Sometimes life seems like a dream, especially when I look down and see that I forgot to put on my pants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/sometimes-life-seems-like-a-dream-especially-when-i-look-down-and-see/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [“I had a dream. I had an awesome dream.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-had-a-dream-i-had-an-awesome-dream/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“His dream must have seemed so close that he could hardly fail to grasp it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/his-dream-must-have-seemed-so-close-that-he-could-hardly-fail-to/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) [Browse all 26,527 Dream quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nora Ephron" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go-off-like-a-fool-and-dream/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dream" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go-off-like-a-fool-and-dream/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32d/nora-ephron-1217_dream_you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go_172622.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You can settle for reality, or you can go off, like a fool, and dream another dream.” — Nora Ephron", "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": "Nora Ephron", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You can settle for reality, or...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go-off-like-a-fool-and-dream/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/you-can-settle-for-reality-or-you-can-go-off-like-a-fool-and-dream/#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 } } ] } ```