--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I were trying to avoid embarrassment…" description: "\"If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have stumbled my way through 'Dancing with the Stars.'\" — Penn Jillette" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png" --- # If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have… ![“If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have stumbled my way through 'Dancing with the Stars.'” quote by Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png) > “If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have stumbled my way through 'Dancing with the Stars.'” [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding embarrassment leads to missed experiences like dancing on TV. **In simple terms:** Avoiding embarrassment limits life. Key Takeaway Embrace risk to grow. Themes risk embarrassment growth experience Mood encouraging optimistic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - social events - career challenges - personal development Key Concepts self‑esteem public performance Questions to Reflect On - What fears hold you back? - How to balance risk and reputation? A Different Perspective Fear may protect reputation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancing/) [Embarrassment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embarrassment/) [Shame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shame/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not a big texter anyway. I'm really slow at it and so I try to avoid it to avoid embarrassment, you know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/callan-mcauliffe/i-m-not-a-big-texter-anyway-i-m-really-slow-at-it-and-so-i-try-to/) [Callan McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/callan-mcauliffe/) > [The reason to retire is to try to avoid embarrassment; you ought to do it before people are dropping big hints. You want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrison-keillor/the-reason-to-retire-is-to-try-to-avoid-embarrassment-you-ought-to-do/) [Garrison Keillor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrison-keillor/) > [Humble yourself and avoid the embarrassment of someone else humbling you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/humble-yourself-and-avoid-the-embarrassment-of-someone-else-humbling/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being on 'Dancing with the Stars' was such a fun experience and one of the highlights of my career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-evans/being-on-dancing-with-the-stars-was-such-a-fun-experience-and-one-of/) [Sara Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-evans/) > ['Dancing With The Stars' is a little family. The cast, we're all together - we're a really friendly competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-kim/dancing-with-the-stars-is-a-little-family-the-cast-we-re-all-together/) [Lil' Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-kim/) > [No, you will never see me on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Sorry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/no-you-will-never-see-me-on-dancing-with-the-stars-sorry/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [When I was really sick, I loved watching 'Dancing With the Stars.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-arlen/when-i-was-really-sick-i-loved-watching-dancing-with-the-stars/) [Victoria Arlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-arlen/) > [I was at a point in my career where I longed for a bigger stage, a brighter light, and I'm very grateful to 'Dancing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentin-chmerkovskiy/i-was-at-a-point-in-my-career-where-i-longed-for-a-bigger-stage-a/) [Valentin Chmerkovskiy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valentin-chmerkovskiy/) > [All due respect and trying to be as modest as I can be, I am a dancer. But I don't think I would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-pacino/all-due-respect-and-trying-to-be-as-modest-as-i-can-be-i-am-a-dancer/) [Al Pacino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-pacino/) > ['Dancing with The Stars' is like learning a new sport with lots of bumps and bruises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dancing-with-the-stars-is-like-learning-a-new-sport-with-lots-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Kit Wilder did not have moves like Jagger. Quite the contrary, she fully recognized that her moves were more of the Elaine from Seinfeld…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keeley-bates/kit-wilder-did-not-have-moves-like-jagger-quite-the-contrary-she/) Keeley Bates > [I would like to be on 'Dancing With the Stars' because I want to be a star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirai-nagasu/i-would-like-to-be-on-dancing-with-the-stars-because-i-want-to-be-a/) [Mirai Nagasu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirai-nagasu/) > [I feel fairly certain that my painting skills might not be best shown on 'Dancing with the Stars.' I'll have to come up with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-hough/i-feel-fairly-certain-that-my-painting-skills-might-not-be-best-shown/) [Derek Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-hough/) > [I would never do 'Dancing With The Stars,' because it's just not fair. I am too good of a dancer. It would be like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-crews/i-would-never-do-dancing-with-the-stars-because-it-s-just-not-fair-i/) [Terry Crews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-crews/) > ['Dancing with the Stars' is awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-bryan/dancing-with-the-stars-is-awesome/) [Sabrina Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-bryan/) ## More by Penn Jillette > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I intend to do the Penn & Teller show until they pry my cheesy magic wand from my cold dead fingers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/i-intend-to-do-the-penn-teller-show-until-they-pry-my-cheesy-magic/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Part of the experience of being entertained is sitting back and plugging into someone else's vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/part-of-the-experience-of-being-entertained-is-sitting-back-and/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [That whole 99% thing, they are all in the 1% of the world. Every one of them pays a cellphone bill that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/that-whole-99-thing-they-are-all-in-the-1-of-the-world-every-one-of/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I will forever stick up for Catholics and Christians in general. With a small number of very horrible exceptions, they do play by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/i-will-forever-stick-up-for-catholics-and-christians-in-general-with/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I believe very much that the most damning thing you can say about Muslims is that you're afraid to say anything because they'll hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/i-believe-very-much-that-the-most-damning-thing-you-can-say-about/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I'm not bothered by the idea of getting old, or I guess you could say by having arrived at old. I was 10 when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/i-m-not-bothered-by-the-idea-of-getting-old-or-i-guess-you-could-say/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I'm always surprised when the corporate world does stupid things, because they're often not very stupid in hindsight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/i-m-always-surprised-when-the-corporate-world-does-stupid-things/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [It's only the losers named 'Dave' that think having an unusual name is bad, and who cares what they think? They're named 'Dave.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/it-s-only-the-losers-named-dave-that-think-having-an-unusual-name-is/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [The only secret of magic is that I'm willing to work harder on it than you think it's worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-only-secret-of-magic-is-that-i-m-willing-to-work-harder-on-it/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Well, it's not really the right word, but freedom is kind of a hobby with me, and I have disposable income that I'll spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/well-it-s-not-really-the-right-word-but-freedom-is-kind-of-a-hobby/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [It is really funny to see people that you know acting unpleasantly just because there are TV cameras on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/it-is-really-funny-to-see-people-that-you-know-acting-unpleasantly/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [My whole take on libertarianism is simply that I don't know what's best for other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/my-whole-take-on-libertarianism-is-simply-that-i-don-t-know-what-s/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Freedom means the right to be stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/freedom-means-the-right-to-be-stupid/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [“Once you've condoned faith in general, you've condoned any crazy shit done because of faith.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/once-you-ve-condoned-faith-in-general-you-ve-condoned-any-crazy-shit/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) [Explore all 302 Penn Jillette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) ## More Avoid quotes > [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) > [Becoming famous is a really shocking thing, especially when you don't have aspirations to it. It got to the point where I would try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/becoming-famous-is-a-really-shocking-thing-especially-when-you-don-t/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I love the sea, but I avoid any sort of seaside resort that has skyscrapers or seaside entertainments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-blake/i-love-the-sea-but-i-avoid-any-sort-of-seaside-resort-that-has/) [Quentin Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-blake/) > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [I avoid processed food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-hopkins/i-avoid-processed-food/) [Bernard Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-hopkins/) > [I avoid envy at all costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-winkleman/i-avoid-envy-at-all-costs/) [Claudia Winkleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-winkleman/) > [Patients' lives are more important than embryos. I do want to avoid the use of embryos if possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinya-yamanaka/patients-lives-are-more-important-than-embryos-i-do-want-to-avoid-the/) [Shinya Yamanaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinya-yamanaka/) > [I studiously avoid any academic dissections of the play and any kind of previous experience of playing. For me, it's all in the play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenda-jackson/i-studiously-avoid-any-academic-dissections-of-the-play-and-any-kind/) [Glenda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenda-jackson/) > [The mark of the man is how he responds to situations. You're not going to avoid tough times. We're all over the barrel some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-short/the-mark-of-the-man-is-how-he-responds-to-situations-you-re-not-going/) [Martin Short](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-short/) > [God knows we are subtle creatures who are more than able to use candour to avoid acknowledging our deceptions of others and ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-hauerwas/god-knows-we-are-subtle-creatures-who-are-more-than-able-to-use/) [Stanley Hauerwas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-hauerwas/) > [Because Techstars is an intensely productive three-month program in which product development and iteration are primary goals, we're constantly looking to streamline our program…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cohen/because-techstars-is-an-intensely-productive-three-month-program-in/) [David Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cohen/) > [Pacifism as a mass movement aims to avoid suffering; pacifists often say that no cause is worth suffering or dying for. The ethos of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-michnik/pacifism-as-a-mass-movement-aims-to-avoid-suffering-pacifists-often/) [Adam Michnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-michnik/) > [Last, but not least, avoid cliches like the plague.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/last-but-not-least-avoid-cliches-like-the-plague/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [When I was younger, I used humour as a tool to avoid getting too serious with people - if there was deep emotional stuff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-perry/when-i-was-younger-i-used-humour-as-a-tool-to-avoid-getting-too/) [Matthew Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-perry/) > [I'm quite tactile, so I like fabrics that feel good. I try to avoid fabrics that crease - especially with my son. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-kerr/i-m-quite-tactile-so-i-like-fabrics-that-feel-good-i-try-to-avoid/) [Miranda Kerr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-kerr/) Browse all 985 Avoid quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have stumbled my way through 'Dancing with the Stars.'", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Penn Jillette" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment-i-wouldn-t-have-stumbled-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Avoid" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment-i-wouldn-t-have-stumbled-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/117/penn-jillette-1046_avoid_if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment_661992.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I were trying to avoid embarrassment, I wouldn't have stumbled my way through 'Dancing with the Stars.'” — Penn Jillette", "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": "Penn Jillette", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I were trying to avoid...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment-i-wouldn-t-have-stumbled-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/if-i-were-trying-to-avoid-embarrassment-i-wouldn-t-have-stumbled-my/#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 } } ] } ```