--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: sometimes the longest way around is the…" description: "\"“sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.”\" — Ryan Holiday" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg" --- # sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home. ![“sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg) > ““sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.”” [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote means that indirect routes can lead to quicker, more efficient outcomes than direct paths. **In simple terms:** Indirect routes can be faster. Key Takeaway Consider alternative approaches. Themes strategy efficiency stoicism decision making Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - Project planning - travel routes - career moves Key Concepts Systems thinking optimization problem solving Questions to Reflect On - When is a direct approach better? - How to evaluate the true cost of a detour? A Different Perspective Indirect paths may involve hidden costs or delays. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Longest Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/longest-way-773199/) [Shortest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortest/) [Shortest Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortest-way-759493/) [Way home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-home/) [Way Shortest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-shortest-2123401/) ## Related quotes > [The longest way round is the shortest way home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-longest-way-round-is-the-shortest-way-home/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Longest way round is the shortest way home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce-ulysses/longest-way-round-is-the-shortest-way-home/) [James Joyce, Ulysses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce-ulysses/) > [Think you're escaping and run into yourself. Longest way round is the shortest way home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/think-you-re-escaping-and-run-into-yourself-longest-way-round-is-the/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [The longest way round is the shortest way home. (Quoting Alexander MacLaren, The Wearied Christ and Other Sermons)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-longest-way-round-is-the-shortest-way-home-quoting-alexander/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is what is called the highway to posts and honor, and there is a cross and by way, which is much the shortest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/there-is-what-is-called-the-highway-to-posts-and-honor-and-there-is-a/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Waiting for someone else to make you happy is the shortest way to get sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/waiting-for-someone-else-to-make-you-happy-is-the-shortest-way-to-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The shortest way to do many things is to do one at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/the-shortest-way-to-do-many-things-is-to-do-one-at-a-time/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [Every action done by nature is done in the shortest way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/every-action-done-by-nature-is-done-in-the-shortest-way/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mozart/the-shortest-way-to-do-many-things-is-to-do-only-one-thing-at-a-time/) [Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mozart/) > [The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-smiles/the-shortest-way-to-do-many-things-is-to-do-only-one-thing-at-once/) [Samuel Smiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-smiles/) > [It is in life as it is in ways, the shortest way is commonly the foulest, and surely the fairer way is not much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/it-is-in-life-as-it-is-in-ways-the-shortest-way-is-commonly-the/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [“The shortest way to Tara is via Holyhead”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-shortest-way-to-tara-is-via-holyhead/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [The shortest way to get anywhere is to have good company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-jackson-brown-jr/the-shortest-way-to-get-anywhere-is-to-have-good-company/) [H. Jackson Brown, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-jackson-brown-jr/) > [Nature operates in the shortest way possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/nature-operates-in-the-shortest-way-possible/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [K is the shortest way to spell FUCK YOU !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/k-is-the-shortest-way-to-spell-fuck-you/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) ## More by Ryan Holiday > [“If we can focus on making clear what parts of our day are within our control and what parts are not, we will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/if-we-can-focus-on-making-clear-what-parts-of-our-day-are-within-our/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The areas of great interest to the Stoics all make an appearance here: virtue, mortality, emotions, self-awareness, fortitude, right action, problem solving, acceptance, mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-areas-of-great-interest-to-the-stoics-all-make-an-appearance-here/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“With a business, we take most failures less personally and understand they’re part of the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/with-a-business-we-take-most-failures-less-personally-and-understand/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Many creatives want to be just the creator, or only “the idea guy.” They like that because it’s sexy and because that’s what comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/many-creatives-want-to-be-just-the-creator-or-only-the-idea-guy-they/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Pretty much everyone's career starts the same way: with grunt work. 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We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-world-is-ruled-by-external/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“From Rusticus … I learned to read carefully and not be satisfied with a rough understanding of the whole, and not to agree too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/from-rusticus-i-learned-to-read-carefully-and-not-be-satisfied-with-a/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [I wholeheartedly agree that many media 'standards' can feel disingenuous or, in fact, be a cover for less-than-honest behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/i-wholeheartedly-agree-that-many-media-standards-can-feel/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Remember: even what we get for free has a cost, if only in what we pay to store it—in our garages and in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/remember-even-what-we-get-for-free-has-a-cost-if-only-in-what-we-pay/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [It's your job to find a release and an outlet for the stress and the feelings. Never forget: the crazy stays at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/it-s-your-job-to-find-a-release-and-an-outlet-for-the-stress-and-the/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Where the head goes, the body follows. Perception precedes action. Right action follows the right perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/where-the-head-goes-the-body-follows-perception-precedes-action-right/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [The risks of speaking extemporaneously are apparent the first time you wing it and promptly put your foot in your mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-risks-of-speaking-extemporaneously-are-apparent-the-first-time/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The tools of the Internet and social media have made it possible to track, test, iterate, and improve marketing to the point where these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-tools-of-the-internet-and-social-media-have-made-it-possible-to/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) [Explore all 504 Ryan Holiday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## More Shortest quotes > [The oldest, shortest words - 'yes' and 'no' - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-no-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [“The shortest national anthem in the world is the Japanese one, which only consists of four lines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-goldstein/the-shortest-national-anthem-in-the-world-is-the-japanese-one-which/) [Jack Goldstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-goldstein/) > [Since kindergarten, I was the shortest kid in class. They always put me toward the front in school pictures, because you couldn't see me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-hernandez/since-kindergarten-i-was-the-shortest-kid-in-class-they-always-put-me/) [Laurie Hernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-hernandez/) > [Waiting for someone else to make you happy is the shortest way to get sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/waiting-for-someone-else-to-make-you-happy-is-the-shortest-way-to-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't exchange your greatest future for some shortest pleasures of this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/don-t-exchange-your-greatest-future-for-some-shortest-pleasures-of/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [The shortest thing I ever had to do was at Disney. A show called 'Bonkers.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bennett/the-shortest-thing-i-ever-had-to-do-was-at-disney-a-show-called/) [Jeff Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bennett/) > [That's the shortest red light I've ever seen! -Peach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finding-nemo/that-s-the-shortest-red-light-i-ve-ever-seen-peach/) [Finding Nemo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finding-nemo/) > [The shortest definition of religion: interruption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-baptist-metz/the-shortest-definition-of-religion-interruption/) [Johann Baptist Metz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-baptist-metz/) > [There is what is called the highway to posts and honor, and there is a cross and by way, which is much the shortest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/there-is-what-is-called-the-highway-to-posts-and-honor-and-there-is-a/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > ['I am' is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that 'I do' is the longest sentence?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-am-is-reportedly-the-shortest-sentence-in-the-english-language/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [We're all very sensitive that Jim has the shortest history with the band. He wants to be somewhat of a free agent. I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thurston-moore/we-re-all-very-sensitive-that-jim-has-the-shortest-history-with-the/) [Thurston Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thurston-moore/) > [“The shortest distance between two points is the line from me to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fisher-amelie/the-shortest-distance-between-two-points-is-the-line-from-me-to-you/) [Fisher Amelie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fisher-amelie/) > [The shortest word I know is I. The sweetest word I know is LOVE. & the person I never forget is YOU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-shortest-word-i-know-is-i-the-sweetest-word-i-know-is-love-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The oldest, shortest words - yes and o - are those which require the most thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pythagoras/the-oldest-shortest-words-yes-and-o-are-those-which-require-the-most/) [Pythagoras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pythagoras/) > [Actors are conditioned to develop a system for expressing as much as they can in the shortest amount of time because you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/actors-are-conditioned-to-develop-a-system-for-expressing-as-much-as/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) [Browse all 123 Shortest quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortest/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ryan Holiday" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the-shortest-way-home/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Shortest" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the-shortest-way-home/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/ryan-holiday-514_shortest_sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the_3170334.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“sometimes the longest way around is the shortest way home.” — Ryan Holiday", "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": "Ryan Holiday", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“sometimes the longest way around is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the-shortest-way-home/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/sometimes-the-longest-way-around-is-the-shortest-way-home/#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 } } ] } ```