---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But think about it. We’ve tried for over…"
description: "\"“But think about it. We’ve tried for over twenty years to do everything right, to save our money, to pay our bills, to raise our kid, and to live withi..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/rich-hoffman-46863_bravery_but-think-about-it-we-ve-tried-for-over_3203630.jpg"
---

#  But think about it. We’ve tried for over twenty years to…

![“But think about it. We’ve tried for over twenty years to do everything right, to save our money, to pay our bills, to raise our kid, and to live within the law. We’ve done everything the right way, at least to the best of our ability.” Rick grabbed her hand. “But that’s not enough. That guy is…” quote by Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/rich-hoffman-46863_bravery_but-think-about-it-we-ve-tried-for-over_3203630.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/rich-hoffman-46863_bravery_but-think-about-it-we-ve-tried-for-over_3203630.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/909/rich-hoffman-46863_bravery_but-think-about-it-we-ve-tried-for-over_3203630.jpg)

> ““But think about it. We’ve tried for over twenty years to do everything right, to save our money, to pay our bills, to raise our kid, and to live within the law. We’ve done everything the right way, at least to the best of our ability.” Rick grabbed her hand. “But that’s not enough. That guy is right about at least that much. He’s giving us a chance to do something that will lash out, and he’s willing to pay for it. I can see the sincerity all over his face. He’s not trying to con us. He just wants an ally, a foot soldier.” “Why you?” Renee asked bluntly. “Is it that hard to find someone crazy enough to do something that extreme?” She caught herself and started laughing. “Maybe it is.””

[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Even diligent effort may fall short; sometimes bold, risky actions are needed.

**In simple terms:** Hard work isn’t always enough.

Key Takeaway

Consider daring choices.

Themes

risk determination ethics

Mood

cautious inquisitive

Type

narrative philosophical

When to use this quote

- business pivots
- activist movements
- personal crises

Key Concepts

moral calculus strategic risk

Questions to Reflect On

- When is risk justified?
- Who decides moral boundaries?

A Different Perspective

Risk can cause unintended harm.

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[Bravery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/) [Courageous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courageous/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Valor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valor/)

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[Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/)

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[John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/)

> [There is always safety in valor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-always-safety-in-valor/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [A cold and searching wind drives away all contagion, and nothing can withstand it but what has a virtue in it, and accordingly, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-cold-and-searching-wind-drives-away-all-contagion-and-nothing-can/)

[Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/)

> [Perfect Valor is to do, without a witness, all that we could do before the whole world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/perfect-valor-is-to-do-without-a-witness-all-that-we-could-do-before/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valor, which should be lifted up to such a height that holding all things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/whatever-comes-out-of-despair-cannot-bear-the-title-of-valor-which/)

[Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/)

> [By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/by-their-victory-the-3rd-4th-and-5th-marine-divisions-and-other-units/)

[Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/)

> [“Within wounds there is valor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/within-wounds-there-is-valor/)

[Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/)

> [It is not always from valor or from chastity that men are brave, and women chaste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-is-not-always-from-valor-or-from-chastity-that-men-are-brave-and/)

[Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/)

> [“Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/american-patriot-patrick-henry/besides-sir-we-shall-not-fight-our-battles-alone-there-is-a-just-god/)

American Patriot Patrick Henry

> [ Forgiveness is the best part of valor...Discretion is easy. It's finding the courage to forgive yourself and others that is hard. \[Acheron\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/forgiveness-is-the-best-part-of-valor-discretion-is-easy-it-s-finding/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/in-the-same-manner-having-been-reduced-by-disorder-and-sunk-to-their/)

[Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/)

## More by Rich Hoffman

> [“More helicopters hovered to the south, and a large troop carrier lifted off the ground a mile ahead. These weren’t the same helicopters Rick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-hoffman/more-helicopters-hovered-to-the-south-and-a-large-troop-carrier/)

[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

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[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

> [“I hope you achieve what you two are trying to do,” Rick said. “Just remember, the answer is almost never where everyone else has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-hoffman/i-hope-you-achieve-what-you-two-are-trying-to-do-rick-said-just/)

[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

> [“Rick guided her to the outside balcony where they made love under the springtime mountain night. As Renee moaned across the valley below, Rick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-hoffman/rick-guided-her-to-the-outside-balcony-where-they-made-love-under-the/)

[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

> [“And you’ve spent your whole life wanting to be an outlaw,” James said. “And you wonder why I don’t listen to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-hoffman/and-you-ve-spent-your-whole-life-wanting-to-be-an-outlaw-james-said/)

[Rich Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

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[Explore all 8 Rich Hoffman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-hoffman/)

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> [Not everyone is capable of madness; and of those lucky enough to be capable, not many have the courage for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/august-strindberg/not-everyone-is-capable-of-madness-and-of-those-lucky-enough-to-be/)

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> [“Fearing our confrontations is one thing... facing them unarmed is a completely different matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-w-boyer-2/fearing-our-confrontations-is-one-thing-facing-them-unarmed-is-a/)

[Mark W. Boyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-boyer-2/)

> [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To be able to live and train in Iraq under these circumstances you need to be brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-able-to-live-and-train-in-iraq-under-these-circumstances-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

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[Stephanie Garber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-garber/)

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[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [All the world's bravery that delights our eyes is but thy several liveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/all-the-world-s-bravery-that-delights-our-eyes-is-but-thy-several/)

[Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/)

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Marguerite Bennett

> [Fortune helps the brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/fortune-helps-the-brave/)

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[Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/)

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[Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/)

> [Now I have the bravery to do fine things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-sabatini/now-i-have-the-bravery-to-do-fine-things/)

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[Browse all 1,663 Bravery quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bravery/)

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