--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It has been a long trip,\" said Milo…" description: "\"It has been a long trip,\" said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; \"but we would have been here much sooner if I hadn't made so man..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/norton-juster-2113_climbing_it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbi_1319457.png" --- # It has been a long trip," said Milo, climbing onto the… ![“It has been a long trip," said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; "but we would have been here much sooner if I hadn't made so many mistakes. I'm afraid it's all my fault.” quote by Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/norton-juster-2113_climbing_it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbi_1319457.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/norton-juster-2113_climbing_it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbi_1319457.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8d2/norton-juster-2113_climbing_it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbi_1319457.png) > “It has been a long trip," said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; "but we would have been here much sooner if I hadn't made so many mistakes. I'm afraid it's all my fault.” [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on a long journey, acknowledging personal mistakes that delayed arrival and feeling responsible for the outcome. **In simple terms:** Mistakes slowed progress and cause guilt. Key Takeaway Own mistakes, learn, move forward. Themes responsibility reflection journey mistakes growth Mood reflective somber introspective Type personal reflective When to use this quote - travel - personal growth - self‑assessment - overcoming regret Key Concepts self‑accountability learning from error personal narrative Questions to Reflect On - What can you forgive yourself for? - How might you reframe mistakes as lessons? A Different Perspective Blaming oneself can hinder healing and future progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) [Couches](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couches/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistakes/) [Phantom tollbooth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phantom-tollbooth/) [Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princess/) [Students](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/students/) ## Related quotes > [“It has been a long trip," said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; "but we would have been here much sooner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/it-has-been-a-long-trip-said-milo-climbing-onto-the-couch-where-the-3/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Everything was my fault. I was so dumb. But if I hadn't made the mistakes I made, I wouldn't have met the wonderful woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-sutherland/everything-was-my-fault-i-was-so-dumb-but-if-i-hadn-t-made-the/) [Donald Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-sutherland/) > [I received a grant from The Ford Foundation to write a book for kids about urban perception, or how people experience cities, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/i-received-a-grant-from-the-ford-foundation-to-write-a-book-for-kids/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [That's the way most everyone gets here. It's really quite simple: every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/that-s-the-way-most-everyone-gets-here-it-s-really-quite-simple-every/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“just follow that line forever," said the Mathemagician, "and when you reach the end, turn left. There you'll find the land of Infinity, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/just-follow-that-line-forever-said-the-mathemagician-and-when-you/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [You must never feel badly about making mistakes,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/you-must-never-feel-badly-about-making-mistakes/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [The way you see things depends a great deal on where you look at them from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/the-way-you-see-things-depends-a-great-deal-on-where-you-look-at-them/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Many of the things which can never be, often are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/many-of-the-things-which-can-never-be-often-are/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/whatever-we-learn-has-a-purpose-and-whatever-we-do-affects-everything/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [...it's not just learning that's important. It's learning what to do with what you learn and learning why you learn things that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/it-s-not-just-learning-that-s-important-it-s-learning-what-to-do-with/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [There is much worth noticing that often escapes the eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/there-is-much-worth-noticing-that-often-escapes-the-eye/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Why not? That's a good reason for almost anything - a bit used perhaps, but still quite serviceable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/why-not-that-s-a-good-reason-for-almost-anything-a-bit-used-perhaps/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [He who is afraid of making mistakes is afraid of living Life to the fullest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/he-who-is-afraid-of-making-mistakes-is-afraid-of-living-life-to-the/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [It's so much more interesting when you're human. I hate making mistakes, but I'm not afraid of 'em.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-gill/it-s-so-much-more-interesting-when-you-re-human-i-hate-making/) [Vince Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-gill/) > [Be honest about mistakes. Even if you are afraid of what people think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/be-honest-about-mistakes-even-if-you-are-afraid-of-what-people-think/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) ## More by Norton Juster > [You see, years ago I was just an ordinary bee minding my own business, smelling flowers all day, and occasionally picking up part-time work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/you-see-years-ago-i-was-just-an-ordinary-bee-minding-my-own-business/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“How are you going to make it move? It doesn't have a – " "Be very quiet," advised the duke, "for it goes without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/how-are-you-going-to-make-it-move-it-doesn-t-have-a-be-very-quiet/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [It was really written as most, I think, books are by writers - for themselves. There was something that just had to be written,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/it-was-really-written-as-most-i-think-books-are-by-writers-for/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“What kind of a place is Expectations?" inquired Milo, unable to see the humor and feeling very doubtful of the little man's sanity. "Good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/what-kind-of-a-place-is-expectations-inquired-milo-unable-to-see-the/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [There is much worth noticing that often escapes the eye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/there-is-much-worth-noticing-that-often-escapes-the-eye/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/the-most-important-reason-for-going-from-one-place-to-another-is-to/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“As the cheering continued, Rhyme leaned forward and touched Milo gently on the shoulder. "They're cheering for you," she said with a smile. "But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/as-the-cheering-continued-rhyme-leaned-forward-and-touched-milo/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [He paused again as a tear of longing rolled from cheek to lip with the sweet-salty taste of an old memory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/he-paused-again-as-a-tear-of-longing-rolled-from-cheek-to-lip-with/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“Kad god se nasmiješiš, radost se oko tebe širi poput kolobara u bari, i kad god si tužan, nitko nigdje ne može biti stvarno…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/kad-god-se-nasmije-i-radost-se-oko-tebe-iri-poput-kolobara-u-bari-i/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“Why not take a few pounds of ‘happys’?” advised the salesman. “They’re much more practical—and very useful for Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/why-not-take-a-few-pounds-of-happys-advised-the-salesman-they-re-much/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [...it's not just learning that's important. It's learning what to do with what you learn and learning why you learn things that matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/it-s-not-just-learning-that-s-important-it-s-learning-what-to-do-with/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Sometimes I find the best way of getting from one place to another is simply to erase everything and begin again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/sometimes-i-find-the-best-way-of-getting-from-one-place-to-another-is/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/have-you-ever-heard-the-wonderful-silence-just-before-the-dawn-or-the/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [How can you see something that isn't there?" yawned the Humbug, who wasn't fully awake yet. "Sometimes, it's much simpler than seeing things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/how-can-you-see-something-that-isn-t-there-yawned-the-humbug-who-wasn/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) > [“I wonder where I am," said Milo in a very worried tone. "You're . . . in . . . the . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norton-juster/i-wonder-where-i-am-said-milo-in-a-very-worried-tone-you-re-in-the/) [Norton Juster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) [Explore all 185 Norton Juster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norton-juster/) ## More Climbing quotes > [I'm always climbing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-caldwell/i-m-always-climbing/) [Tommy Caldwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-caldwell/) > [There is nothing to do, just be. Do nothing. Be. No climbing mountains and sitting in caves. I do not even say "be yourself"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/there-is-nothing-to-do-just-be-do-nothing-be-no-climbing-mountains/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [I liked climbing trees and could often be found up one reading a book. I played games with Dad and drew maps for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-liked-climbing-trees-and-could-often-be-found-up-one-reading-a-book/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [Classic mountaineering grows out of a traditional romantic imagination. Its heart is the feeling, its path is blood, sweat and tears, and its restriction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-kurtyka/classic-mountaineering-grows-out-of-a-traditional-romantic/) [Wojciech Kurtyka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-kurtyka/) > [Placing my buttocks on a cold toilet seat is my climbing Mount Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/placing-my-buttocks-on-a-cold-toilet-seat-is-my-climbing-mount-everest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The ascent of any route begins, in dreams at least, the autumn before. Our minds ring, involuntarily, with the alluring names of mountains, aiguilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-rebuffat/the-ascent-of-any-route-begins-in-dreams-at-least-the-autumn-before/) [Gaston Rebuffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaston-rebuffat/) > [“Climbing mattered. The danger bathed the world in a halogen glow that caused everything—the sweep of the rock, the orange and yellow lichens, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/climbing-mattered-the-danger-bathed-the-world-in-a-halogen-glow-that/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-neuharth/the-difference-between-a-mountain-and-a-molehill-is-your-perspective/) [Al Neuharth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-neuharth/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Climbing has worked for me in a number of ways on Capitol Hill. I'm much more inclined to look at what people do, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-udall/climbing-has-worked-for-me-in-a-number-of-ways-on-capitol-hill-i-m/) [Mark Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-udall/) > [I love finding something. For me it's not just about the athletic challenge, it's about finding new things. When I'm not doing that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sharma/i-love-finding-something-for-me-it-s-not-just-about-the-athletic/) [Chris Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sharma/) > [I'm a man's man. I go out climbing and live outdoors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mccann/i-m-a-man-s-man-i-go-out-climbing-and-live-outdoors/) [Rory McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mccann/) > [The things that inform student culture are created and controlled by the unseen culture, the sociological aspects of our climbing culture, our 'me' generation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/the-things-that-inform-student-culture-are-created-and-controlled-by/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [For me, the most relevant factor in my ability to perform well on the rock has to do with my love of climbing. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-hill/for-me-the-most-relevant-factor-in-my-ability-to-perform-well-on-the/) [Lynn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-hill/) [Browse all 1,082 Climbing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It has been a long trip,\" said Milo, climbing onto the couch where the princesses sat; \"but we would have been here much sooner if I hadn't made so many mistakes. 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