--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took a long time, but I have learned…" description: "\"It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.\" — Piper Laurie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png" --- # It took a long time, but I have learned that you just… ![“It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.” quote by Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png) > “It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.” [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life requires reciprocal exchange; you cannot gain without giving something in return. **In simple terms:** You must give to receive. Key Takeaway Practice generosity. Themes reciprocity balance responsibility Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationships - career - community service - personal growth Key Concepts exchange theory social contract Questions to Reflect On - What are you willing to give for what you want? - How does reciprocity shape your decisions? A Different Perspective Giving may not always be immediately rewarded. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-changing/) [Life lesson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lesson/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The most difficult thing about Time, I have learned, is doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-zelazny/the-most-difficult-thing-about-time-i-have-learned-is-doing-it/) [Roger Zelazny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-zelazny/) > [“In sum, one of the primary things I learned was how to kill time. I learned also to wish away my life. I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/in-sum-one-of-the-primary-things-i-learned-was-how-to-kill-time-i/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) > [“Larry Page probably never listened to early Louis Armstrong records, in which the notion of time is reinvented. Armstrong threw away the classical meanings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-taplin/larry-page-probably-never-listened-to-early-louis-armstrong-records/) [Jonathan Taplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-taplin/) > [I had to learn how to walk three times: every time I learned, I learned wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-gardot/i-had-to-learn-how-to-walk-three-times-every-time-i-learned-i-learned/) [Melody Gardot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-gardot/) > [“Over time he learned that the way to have a leg up on everyone else was to anticipate something before it happened and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bilton/over-time-he-learned-that-the-way-to-have-a-leg-up-on-everyone-else/) [Nick Bilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bilton/) > [The first time you say something, it's heard. The second time, it's recognized, and the third time it's learned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-first-time-you-say-something-it-s-heard-the-second-time-it-s/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [With time I have learned to live without you but not with your memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushan-sharma/with-time-i-have-learned-to-live-without-you-but-not-with-your/) [Sushan Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushan-sharma/) > [“By the time it was over, I'd learned all the right words for all the dinosaurs (pretty much the same as they were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/by-the-time-it-was-over-i-d-learned-all-the-right-words-for-all-the/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“But life. It rushes by and then you think you'll see people... You think you'll do things and have time for this and time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-emmerson/but-life-it-rushes-by-and-then-you-think-you-ll-see-people-you-think/) [Miranda Emmerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-emmerson/) > [His struggle for a bare living left him no time to take advantage of the public evening school. In time he learned to read,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-antin/his-struggle-for-a-bare-living-left-him-no-time-to-take-advantage-of/) [Mary Antin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-antin/) > [So after an album and tour are over I take 6 months to a year to do other things. Once I went to University…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-hayes/so-after-an-album-and-tour-are-over-i-take-6-months-to-a-year-to-do/) [Darren Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-hayes/) > [The time I learned the most in restaurants was when I was alone in a basement, figuring it out on my own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sohla-el-waylly/the-time-i-learned-the-most-in-restaurants-was-when-i-was-alone-in-a/) [Sohla El-Waylly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sohla-el-waylly/) > [“It was no waste of time. You learned. You grew. You’ll do better next time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-sorenson/it-was-no-waste-of-time-you-learned-you-grew-you-ll-do-better-next/) [Toni Sorenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-sorenson/) > [I have been tall a long time and learned to deal with it at a young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-bradley/i-have-been-tall-a-long-time-and-learned-to-deal-with-it-at-a-young/) [Shawn Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-bradley/) > [only when we have a respect for time will we have learned something of the art of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/only-when-we-have-a-respect-for-time-will-we-have-learned-something/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) ## More by Piper Laurie > [If I had stayed in Hollywood, I would have killed myself. Or someone would have done it for me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/if-i-had-stayed-in-hollywood-i-would-have-killed-myself-or-someone/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I was so flattered to be asked to be in the movies - the idea of being paid to act was heady stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-was-so-flattered-to-be-asked-to-be-in-the-movies-the-idea-of-being/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I'm one of those people who has always been a bridesmaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-m-one-of-those-people-who-has-always-been-a-bridesmaid/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Ive always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/ive-always-felt-robbed-of-something-by-people-not-knowing-i-was-a-jew/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [And even then when you take it, you've got to take it with your whole heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/and-even-then-when-you-take-it-you-ve-got-to-take-it-with-your-whole/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I had highfalutin ideas about being a serious actress when I was 16, 17, and first signed at Universal. I was so flattered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-had-highfalutin-ideas-about-being-a-serious-actress-when-i-was-16/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I've always felt robbed of something by people not knowing I was a Jew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-ve-always-felt-robbed-of-something-by-people-not-knowing-i-was-a-jew/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [One thing is certain. The old Piper Laurie is no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/one-thing-is-certain-the-old-piper-laurie-is-no-more/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Back then, everyone was Lana and Rock. No one had ethnic names.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/back-then-everyone-was-lana-and-rock-no-one-had-ethnic-names/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [And if real life was like the movies, I should have lived happily ever after.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/and-if-real-life-was-like-the-movies-i-should-have-lived-happily-ever/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [Believe me, when an actress is told that her very name is synonymous with bad acting, she's had it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/believe-me-when-an-actress-is-told-that-her-very-name-is-synonymous/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I dropped the script in the fireplace, called my agent and said, they can jail me, sue me, but I'm never acting again, unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-dropped-the-script-in-the-fireplace-called-my-agent-and-said-they/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [The fact is, I never wanted to be a movie star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/the-fact-is-i-never-wanted-to-be-a-movie-star/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) > [I never forget, remember that. Not an action, not a name, not a face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/i-never-forget-remember-that-not-an-action-not-a-name-not-a-face/) [Piper Laurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) [Explore all 15 Piper Laurie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/) ## More I have learned quotes > [I have learned so much from my dad. Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned from my dad is how to be prepared at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-sekulow/i-have-learned-so-much-from-my-dad-perhaps-the-biggest-thing-i-ve/) [Jay Sekulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-sekulow/) > [Belief isn't always easy. But this much I have learned--- if not enough else--- to live with my eyes open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/belief-isn-t-always-easy-but-this-much-i-have-learned-if-not-enough/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one's wife happy. First, let her think she's having her own way. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/i-have-learned-that-only-two-things-are-necessary-to-keep-one-s-wife/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I have learned from all of my coaches, and I am sure I will learn a lot with Guardiola.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/i-have-learned-from-all-of-my-coaches-and-i-am-sure-i-will-learn-a/) [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) > [I have learned that one should say "Peace!" to those who shout their hatred for one's being and presence or at one's passage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/i-have-learned-that-one-should-say-peace-to-those-who-shout-their/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I have learned over the years that you should never save for two meetings what you can accomplish in one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twyla-tharp/i-have-learned-over-the-years-that-you-should-never-save-for-two/) [Twyla Tharp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twyla-tharp/) > [I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-washington/i-am-still-determined-to-be-cheerful-and-happy-in-whatever-situation/) [Martha Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-washington/) > [I have learned that trying to guess what the boss or the client wants is the most debilitating of all influences in the creation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-burnett/i-have-learned-that-trying-to-guess-what-the-boss-or-the-client-wants/) [Leo Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-burnett/) > [I have learned from my mistakes and become older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/varg-vikernes/i-have-learned-from-my-mistakes-and-become-older/) [Varg Vikernes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/varg-vikernes/) > [I have learned a lot over the years. I have learned how best to use my attributes. That comes with a bit of knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/i-have-learned-a-lot-over-the-years-i-have-learned-how-best-to-use-my/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [Through my work with PETA, I have learned a great deal about chimpanzee behavior and the plight of chimpanzees imprisoned in laboratories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/through-my-work-with-peta-i-have-learned-a-great-deal-about/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The steadily inward look leads us all to death, nations as well as persons, and is equally infantile in them all. Perhaps the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margery-wilson/the-steadily-inward-look-leads-us-all-to-death-nations-as-well-as/) [Margery Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margery-wilson/) > [I have no memory for things I have learned, nor things I have read, nor things experienced or heard, neither for people nor events;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/i-have-no-memory-for-things-i-have-learned-nor-things-i-have-read-nor/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-ve-learned-that-you-can-tell-a-lot-about-a-person-by-the-way-he-she/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [ I have learned more \[from Balzac\] than from all the professional historians, economists, and statisticians put together. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/i-have-learned-more-from-balzac-than-from-all-the-professional/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) Browse all 761 I have learned quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without putting something back in exchange.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Piper Laurie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-that-you-just-can-t-take/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "I have learned" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-that-you-just-can-t-take/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b9/piper-laurie-32811_i-have-learned_it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-t_1041082.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It took a long time, but I have learned that you just can't take anything you want out of life without…” — Piper Laurie", "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": "Piper Laurie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-laurie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It took a long time, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-that-you-just-can-t-take/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-laurie/it-took-a-long-time-but-i-have-learned-that-you-just-can-t-take/#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 } } ] } ```