--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you start trying to figure out…" description: "\"If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.\" — Sam Shepard" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg" --- # If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image… ![“If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.” quote by Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg) > “If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.” [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relying on others’ perceptions limits self‑knowledge; true understanding comes from internal reflection. **In simple terms:** Self‑knowledge requires looking inward, not at others’ images. Key Takeaway Seek authentic self‑awareness. Themes identity self‑discovery perception Mood reflective serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - career decisions - relationship building Key Concepts psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate your own values from societal expectations? - What steps help you hear your inner voice? A Different Perspective External validation can never fully replace inner truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dead end](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-end/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/image/) [Start](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start/) [Start Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-trying-284393/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying Figure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-figure/) [Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yourself/) ## Related quotes > [When you feel you have good although incomplete expertise, start trying things. If it's not working, try something else; maintain an experimental mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/when-you-feel-you-have-good-although-incomplete-expertise-start/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“I should start trying to find comfort in loneliness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-reese/i-should-start-trying-to-find-comfort-in-loneliness/) [Caleb Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-reese/) > [I'd like to start trying different fields of work. I don't want to be stuck in just comedy, and I'd be interested to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-robinson/i-d-like-to-start-trying-different-fields-of-work-i-don-t-want-to-be/) [Nick Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-robinson/) > [I try to find nice chord changes, that's how I love to start, and then I start trying to knock it into a song,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lynne/i-try-to-find-nice-chord-changes-that-s-how-i-love-to-start-and-then/) [Jeff Lynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lynne/) > [You cannot please everyone, and I think that what's important, ultimately, is to make sure you please yourself. If you start trying to please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/you-cannot-please-everyone-and-i-think-that-what-s-important/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [As you get older, you start trying to eat a little bit better, and just do a little better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-40/as-you-get-older-you-start-trying-to-eat-a-little-bit-better-and-just/) [E-40](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-40/) > [I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/i-never-expected-to-make-a-living-from-climbing-but-it-got-to-the/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [It takes a long time to free oneself from chatter - goals, social media, image, persona. And if you're able to move through in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-oh/it-takes-a-long-time-to-free-oneself-from-chatter-goals-social-media/) [Sandra Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-oh/) > [Im done crying now all I have to do is to start trying.. trying to forget how much I hate u](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/star-sorb/im-done-crying-now-all-i-have-to-do-is-to-start-trying-trying-to/) [Star Sorb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/star-sorb/) > [When you start you're trying to achieve staying alive and getting home. If you can do both of those, then you stand a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-macarthur/when-you-start-you-re-trying-to-achieve-staying-alive-and-getting/) [Ellen MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-macarthur/) > [I didn't start trying for my first baby until I was 36 - partly because of my career and partly because I had not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartley-brewer/i-didn-t-start-trying-for-my-first-baby-until-i-was-36-partly-because/) [Julia Hartley-Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartley-brewer/) > [If you really want to be a music producer, stop watching 'Friends' when you get home from school. Start trying to make music. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afrojack/if-you-really-want-to-be-a-music-producer-stop-watching-friends-when/) [Afrojack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afrojack/) > [“Inaction quickly consumes a lifetime. Be curious, be bold, pay close attention to the world in front of you. And start trying stuff.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-falk/inaction-quickly-consumes-a-lifetime-be-curious-be-bold-pay-close/) [Ben Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-falk/) > [Of course there is a lot of things you can work on and change and all that, but first I think you should look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/of-course-there-is-a-lot-of-things-you-can-work-on-and-change-and-all/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [You don't want to get too comfortable if you're winning and start trying to be a number 10.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pickford/you-don-t-want-to-get-too-comfortable-if-you-re-winning-and-start/) [Jordan Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pickford/) ## More by Sam Shepard > [I guess what I like is mostly country & western or else stuff that has a real blues feel to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-guess-what-i-like-is-mostly-country-western-or-else-stuff-that-has/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [You can write 16 plays and not make as much money as you did doing one movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/you-can-write-16-plays-and-not-make-as-much-money-as-you-did-doing/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [It's funny, in a way the actor is a writer. It's not like the two things are so separate as to be like apples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/it-s-funny-in-a-way-the-actor-is-a-writer-it-s-not-like-the-two/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Character is an essential tendency. It can be covered up, it can be messed with, it can be screwed around with, but it can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/character-is-an-essential-tendency-it-can-be-covered-up-it-can-be/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Why would you want to be be counseled in your grief? It's too private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/why-would-you-want-to-be-be-counseled-in-your-grief-it-s-too-private/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Farm country -- you know, hay, horses, cattle. It's the ideal situation for me. I like the physical endeavors that go with the farm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/farm-country-you-know-hay-horses-cattle-it-s-the-ideal-situation-for/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [I think comedy's harder to pull off on the screen than on the stage, anyway. Tragedy is easier on the screen... oddly enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-think-comedy-s-harder-to-pull-off-on-the-screen-than-on-the-stage/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [“Those are the most monotonous fuckin' crickets I ever heard in my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/those-are-the-most-monotonous-fuckin-crickets-i-ever-heard-in-my-life/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [All good writing comes out of aloneness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/all-good-writing-comes-out-of-aloneness/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [When I first started in film, I was terrified of the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/when-i-first-started-in-film-i-was-terrified-of-the-camera/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [I'll develop my own image. I'm an original man. A one and only. I just need some help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-ll-develop-my-own-image-i-m-an-original-man-a-one-and-only-i-just/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [When I just sit around my house and work, I can work two, three hours, and then I go off and ride a horse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/when-i-just-sit-around-my-house-and-work-i-can-work-two-three-hours/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Hollywood is geared toward teenage idiocy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/hollywood-is-geared-toward-teenage-idiocy/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [It's my private life, and it's not up for grabs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/it-s-my-private-life-and-it-s-not-up-for-grabs/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) > [Keep away from fantasy. Shake off the image,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/keep-away-from-fantasy-shake-off-the-image/) [Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) [Explore all 176 Sam Shepard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/) ## More Dead end quotes > [“Dead-end roads don't mean you've come to your end, just means you need to take a different detour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/dead-end-roads-don-t-mean-you-ve-come-to-your-end-just-means-you-need/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [Without a destination in mind, every road will be a dead end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhiess-krieg/without-a-destination-in-mind-every-road-will-be-a-dead-end/) [Jhiess Krieg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhiess-krieg/) > [As the rain falls and the sun shines, they grow, grow, grow; minds so open, they go through life aware and accepting, seeing light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/as-the-rain-falls-and-the-sun-shines-they-grow-grow-grow-minds-so/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [“To this day I believe a person’s ideal first job is the one that reveals the most about them. Knowing who I was helped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-g-riddle/to-this-day-i-believe-a-person-s-ideal-first-job-is-the-one-that/) [A.G. Riddle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-g-riddle/) > [“I could not disagree more,” said Ganesh, my father giving me a hidden wink. “If we build toward them they’ll see it as hostile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-carman/i-could-not-disagree-more-said-ganesh-my-father-giving-me-a-hidden/) [Patrick Carman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-carman/) > [An ordinary mistake is one that leads to a dead end, while a profound mistake is one that leads to progress. Anyone can make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-wilczek/an-ordinary-mistake-is-one-that-leads-to-a-dead-end-while-a-profound/) [Frank Wilczek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-wilczek/) > [When you reach a CERTAIN point in your life you REALIZE that you want MORE than one night stands, booty-calls, dead end relationships, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ephrem-hardin/when-you-reach-a-certain-point-in-your-life-you-realize-that-you-want/) [Ephrem Hardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ephrem-hardin/) > [I usually only get a blunt trim. No layers, nothing special, just the dead ends cut off very, very bluntly. For me, that feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-port/i-usually-only-get-a-blunt-trim-no-layers-nothing-special-just-the/) [Whitney Port](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whitney-port/) > [“Like writing, publishing is not easy. No endeavor worth pursuing is. Discomfort and fear are easy outs—and ultimately dead ends. They are responses to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rossandra-white/like-writing-publishing-is-not-easy-no-endeavor-worth-pursuing-is/) [Rossandra White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rossandra-white/) > [Of course it hurt that we could never love each other in a physical way. We would have been far more happy if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/of-course-it-hurt-that-we-could-never-love-each-other-in-a-physical/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“You're a maze, all high edges and endless loops. I can't find a way out, can't see where I've been. It's all running, lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-demetrios/you-re-a-maze-all-high-edges-and-endless-loops-i-can-t-find-a-way-out/) [Heather Demetrios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-demetrios/) > [Just because you’ve come to a dead end, it’s not time to give up. Find a different route and keep pressing forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/just-because-you-ve-come-to-a-dead-end-it-s-not-time-to-give-up-find/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Africa is being raped mainly by Asia, but the second largest market for dead endangered animals is the US. Most don't know this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-bauer-van-straten/africa-is-being-raped-mainly-by-asia-but-the-second-largest-market/) [Kristin Bauer van Straten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-bauer-van-straten/) > [Sometimes talking to a person does not work,they still going to do what they wanna do,until the dead end road,caught them by surprise...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/sometimes-talking-to-a-person-does-not-work-they-still-going-to-do/) [FrenchQueen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenchqueen/) > [We didn't go down that road for nothing! We had to try but when all said and done tat road was a DEAD END.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/we-didn-t-go-down-that-road-for-nothing-we-had-to-try-but-when-all/) [Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) [Browse all 319 Dead end quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-end/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sam Shepard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourself-from-the-image-everyone/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dead end" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourself-from-the-image-everyone/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d9/sam-shepard-2232_dead-end_if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourse_2524166.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you start trying to figure out yourself from the image everyone has of you, you run into a dead end.” — Sam Shepard", "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": "Sam Shepard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you start trying to figure...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourself-from-the-image-everyone/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/if-you-start-trying-to-figure-out-yourself-from-the-image-everyone/#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 } } ] } ```