--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So you drive as far as you can, even when…" description: "\"So you drive as far as you can, even when you can clearly read the sign. You want to think you are exempt, that it doesn’t apply to you. But it does. L..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23b/robert-fulghum-1807_believe_so-you-drive-as-far-as-you-can-even-when_1036534.png" --- # So you drive as far as you can, even when you can clearly… ![“So you drive as far as you can, even when you can clearly read the sign. You want to think you are exempt, that it doesn’t apply to you. But it does. Life is still a dead end. And we still have a hard time believing it” quote by Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23b/robert-fulghum-1807_believe_so-you-drive-as-far-as-you-can-even-when_1036534.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23b/robert-fulghum-1807_believe_so-you-drive-as-far-as-you-can-even-when_1036534.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/23b/robert-fulghum-1807_believe_so-you-drive-as-far-as-you-can-even-when_1036534.png) > “So you drive as far as you can, even when you can clearly read the sign. You want to think you are exempt, that it doesn’t apply to you. But it does. Life is still a dead end. And we still have a hard time believing it” [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ignoring warnings leads to dead‑end outcomes, yet people cling to denial despite clear signs **In simple terms:** Denial prevents progress, causing stagnation Key Takeaway Heed warnings before it's too late Themes denial consequences self‑deception Mood cautious thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - Driving decisions - career choices - health habits - financial planning - relationship boundaries Key Concepts Cognitive bias personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What signs are you ignoring in your life? - How can you balance caution with boldness? A Different Perspective Some may argue that occasional risk‑taking is necessary for innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dead end](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-end/) [Dead ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-ends/) [Hard time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-time/) [Hard times](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-times/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [None of us can think we are exempt from concerns for the poor and for social justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/none-of-us-can-think-we-are-exempt-from-concerns-for-the-poor-and-for/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Sometimes enthusiasm can drive you too far, but you learn from your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-glazer/sometimes-enthusiasm-can-drive-you-too-far-but-you-learn-from-your/) [Joel Glazer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-glazer/) > [A coach can only drive you as far as you are willing to be driven. The great ones are always up for a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-jay-taylor/a-coach-can-only-drive-you-as-far-as-you-are-willing-to-be-driven-the/) [T Jay Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-jay-taylor/) > [“She focused her eyes on a sign along the wall, on the other side of the customs desk. Inside a circle of white stars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-rich/she-focused-her-eyes-on-a-sign-along-the-wall-on-the-other-side-of/) [Sara Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-rich/) > [“Ho there, scribe. I see that you write well enough. Can you also read?' 'Obviously you cannot, boy,' he replied. 'For if you were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theresa-breslin/ho-there-scribe-i-see-that-you-write-well-enough-can-you-also-read/) [Theresa Breslin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theresa-breslin/) > [I know you cant read, but that sign says do NOT feed the monkeys!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madea/i-know-you-cant-read-but-that-sign-says-do-not-feed-the-monkeys/) [Madea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madea/) > [I know you can't read but that sign say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madea/i-know-you-can-t-read-but-that-sign-say/) [Madea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madea/) > [I like to wear a "Do Not Disturb" sign around my neck so that little kids can't tell me knock-knock jokes. "Hey, how ya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-like-to-wear-a-do-not-disturb-sign-around-my-neck-so-that-little/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [“Anastasia, you should always read anything you sign,” he admonishes me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/anastasia-you-should-always-read-anything-you-sign-he-admonishes-me/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [“What does the sign say?” “ ‘If you lived here, you’d be home now.’ ” She clenched her hands with excitement. “See, every day people will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-kaysen/what-does-the-sign-say-if-you-lived-here-you-d-be-home-now-she/) [Susanna Kaysen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-kaysen/) > [It becomes one, while exempt from woes, to look to the dangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/it-becomes-one-while-exempt-from-woes-to-look-to-the-dangers/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Nobody is exempt from the surprises of life!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/nobody-is-exempt-from-the-surprises-of-life/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [You cannot take any people, of any color, and exempt them from the requirements of civilization - including work, behavioral standards, personal responsibility, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/you-cannot-take-any-people-of-any-color-and-exempt-them-from-the/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [I am more exempt and more distant than any man in the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-fermat/i-am-more-exempt-and-more-distant-than-any-man-in-the-world/) [Pierre de Fermat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-de-fermat/) > [When I was depressed, nobody expected anything of me, nor did I expect anything of myself. I was exempt from life's demands and risks.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-palmer/when-i-was-depressed-nobody-expected-anything-of-me-nor-did-i-expect/) [Parker Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-palmer/) ## More by Robert Fulghum > [to understand our love they'd have to turn the world upside down](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/to-understand-our-love-they-d-have-to-turn-the-world-upside-down/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/what-does-it-profit-a-man-if-he-gains-the-whole-world-and-loses-his/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sticks-and-stones-may-break-our-bones-but-words-will-break-our-hearts/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Life is. I am. Anything might happen. And I believe I may invest my life with meaning. The uncertainty is a blessing in disguise.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/life-is-i-am-anything-might-happen-and-i-believe-i-may-invest-my-life/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Weddings seem to be magnets for mishap and for whatever craziness lurks in family closets. In more ways than one, weddings bring out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/weddings-seem-to-be-magnets-for-mishap-and-for-whatever-craziness/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [I don't think there is a hidden purpose to the universe that you have to puzzle out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/i-don-t-think-there-is-a-hidden-purpose-to-the-universe-that-you-have/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [The name is not important anymore - it's the tone that counts. 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The small creature is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/nobody-goes-aaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhh-when-they-sing-it-maybe-because/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there at the sandpile at Sunday School.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/wisdom-was-not-at-the-top-of-the-graduate-school-mountain-but-there/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You are free to give life meaning, whatever meaning you want to give it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-are-free-to-give-life-meaning-whatever-meaning-you-want-to-give-it/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [If we could just figure out how to have more fun at it, maybe more of us would join the ranks of those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/if-we-could-just-figure-out-how-to-have-more-fun-at-it-maybe-more-of/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Sometimes during the day, I consciously focus on some ordinary object and allow myself a momentary "paying-attention." This paying-attention gives meaning to my life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/sometimes-during-the-day-i-consciously-focus-on-some-ordinary-object/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten. Share everything ... Don't hit people ... Clean up your own mess ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/all-i-ever-needed-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-share-everything/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [No. I was an only child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/no-i-was-an-only-child/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [You feel like an ant contemplating Chicago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/you-feel-like-an-ant-contemplating-chicago/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) [Explore all 206 Robert Fulghum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. 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He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [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/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“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/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. 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