--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I wish I could, instead of destroying…" description: "\"I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I wish I could build, build, build.\" — Sergei Polunin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg" --- # I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I… ![“I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I wish I could build, build, build.” quote by Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg) > “I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I wish I could build, build, build.” [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker desires to replace destructive impulses with creative construction. **In simple terms:** Want to create instead of destroy. Key Takeaway Channel energy into building. Themes creativity self‑control transformation Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - art projects - community building Key Concepts psychology behavioral change artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What can you build today? - How does creation heal? A Different Perspective Creation may still be hindered by fear of failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build/) [Build Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-build-737137/) [Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying/) [Destroying things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destroying-things/) [Engineering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engineering/) [Instead Destroying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-destroying-2954230/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [Wish Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish-build-1162608/) ## Related quotes > [I wish I could have built without destroying things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wish-i-could-have-built-without-destroying-things/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [For me, I do not wish to build an empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ripert/for-me-i-do-not-wish-to-build-an-empire/) [Eric Ripert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ripert/) > [Too low they build who build below the skies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/too-low-they-build-who-build-below-the-skies/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) > [Be around people who build you up not build you down...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serenity-c/be-around-people-who-build-you-up-not-build-you-down/) [Serenity C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serenity-c/) > [I would rather you hurt me with the truth instead of destroying me with a lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-would-rather-you-hurt-me-with-the-truth-instead-of-destroying-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You see, freedom has a way of destroying things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/you-see-freedom-has-a-way-of-destroying-things/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) > [I can run fast when I want to run fast, and I've always been good at destroying things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-frey/i-can-run-fast-when-i-want-to-run-fast-and-i-ve-always-been-good-at/) [James Frey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-frey/) > [What kind of city we wish to build should reflect our personal wishes and needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harvey/what-kind-of-city-we-wish-to-build-should-reflect-our-personal-wishes/) [David Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harvey/) > [The best way to build anything is to build it together and build it with diversity, because then you really get good ideas about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/the-best-way-to-build-anything-is-to-build-it-together-and-build-it/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [Work honestly and build, build, build. That's all I can tell you,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-simplot/work-honestly-and-build-build-build-that-s-all-i-can-tell-you/) [J. R. Simplot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-simplot/) > [“My boys had grown up.  They were destroying things all by themselves, now. “We”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mancour/my-boys-had-grown-up-they-were-destroying-things-all-by-themselves/) [Terry Mancour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mancour/) > [Destroying things is much easier than making them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/destroying-things-is-much-easier-than-making-them/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [If people really stopped and realized how much art and creative people move the world versus politics and religion, I mean it’s not even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/if-people-really-stopped-and-realized-how-much-art-and-creative/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [It occurred to me then that I was the opposite of my father. Because I was very, very good at destroying things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/it-occurred-to-me-then-that-i-was-the-opposite-of-my-father-because-i/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [You can grow without destroying the things that you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-mcmahon/you-can-grow-without-destroying-the-things-that-you-love/) [Ed McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-mcmahon/) ## More by Sergei Polunin > [I wasted so many years just traveling and sitting in hotels, searching for things, not knowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wasted-so-many-years-just-traveling-and-sitting-in-hotels-searching/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet was good to me. They gave me everything I asked for. It's just... I felt tricked. I became a principal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-was-good-to-me-they-gave-me-everything-i-asked-for/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I didn't want people to think I'm a dancer. I'm much more. I'm a human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-want-people-to-think-i-m-a-dancer-i-m-much-more-i-m-a-human/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [Art and war are opposites, so our goal as an artist is to build and create, not destroy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/art-and-war-are-opposites-so-our-goal-as-an-artist-is-to-build-and/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I normally don't regret. I enjoy everything, even if it's bad or good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-normally-don-t-regret-i-enjoy-everything-even-if-it-s-bad-or-good/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [What made my mind go free is that I wanted to become an artist. As soon as I said to myself, 'Oh I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/what-made-my-mind-go-free-is-that-i-wanted-to-become-an-artist-as/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I do get depressed sometimes, I don't know why. It's since I was a kid and it's just part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-do-get-depressed-sometimes-i-don-t-know-why-it-s-since-i-was-a-kid/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I went and got a tattoo of James Dean on my shoulder without actually seeing him in any movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-went-and-got-a-tattoo-of-james-dean-on-my-shoulder-without-actually/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Sensorium Galaxy Planet of Motion is the future. We are memorizing dance because dance will exist in a virtual world forever. The Planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-sensorium-galaxy-planet-of-motion-is-the-future-we-are-memorizing/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet School looked after me very well, they were like my family, and the company gave me everything. But I was unhappy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-school-looked-after-me-very-well-they-were-like-my/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [As soon as I said to myself, "Oh I'm not a dancer; I'm not an actor," it made me so free to do anything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/as-soon-as-i-said-to-myself-oh-i-m-not-a-dancer-i-m-not-an-actor-it/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [Just let me live my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/just-let-me-live-my-life/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I'm not a bad boy now I'm living in Russia. London was great but there were too many distractions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-m-not-a-bad-boy-now-i-m-living-in-russia-london-was-great-but-there/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I actually always have good intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-actually-always-have-good-intentions/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [You know when you believe in Christmas? I was like that with ballet. I thought I would reach a level where I'd have enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/you-know-when-you-believe-in-christmas-i-was-like-that-with-ballet-i/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) [Explore all 120 Sergei Polunin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) ## More Build quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [I build on Christ, the rock of ages; on his sure mercies described in his word, and on his promises, all which I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/i-build-on-christ-the-rock-of-ages-on-his-sure-mercies-described-in/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [The way you get wickets is, you've got to build pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-arthur/the-way-you-get-wickets-is-you-ve-got-to-build-pressure/) [Mickey Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-arthur/) > [For rich children, it'd be very easy and convenient never to take any steps to build an identity outside of your association with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-johnson/for-rich-children-it-d-be-very-easy-and-convenient-never-to-take-any/) [Jamie Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-johnson/) > [The millennials were raised in a cocoon, their anxious parents afraid to let them go out in the park to play. So should we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/the-millennials-were-raised-in-a-cocoon-their-anxious-parents-afraid/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [You have to build what the market needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-s-miller/you-have-to-build-what-the-market-needs/) [Jamie S. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-s-miller/) > [I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/i-oppose-any-proposal-for-the-federal-government-to-build-and-operate/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) > [“Create with the heart; build with the mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/create-with-the-heart-build-with-the-mind/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [Since, however, it is immaterial whether the work is done by assistants or a machine, I decided to build a machine equivalent to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/since-however-it-is-immaterial-whether-the-work-is-done-by-assistants/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For 'Inhuman,' it's a 'chess game' series. You have a lot of pieces moving different ways at once, and it's about what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-soule/for-inhuman-it-s-a-chess-game-series-you-have-a-lot-of-pieces-moving/) [Charles Soule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-soule/) > [What we need to make sure we do as a team is build the quickest car on the grid - if we have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valtteri-bottas/what-we-need-to-make-sure-we-do-as-a-team-is-build-the-quickest-car/) [Valtteri Bottas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valtteri-bottas/) > [Always build. If you start at fever pitch, there's nowhere to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goldman/always-build-if-you-start-at-fever-pitch-there-s-nowhere-to-go/) [Jane Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goldman/) > [I have spent my career helping to build and grow businesses, and if I've learned one thing, it's that being pro-business and pro-consumer are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-phillips/i-have-spent-my-career-helping-to-build-and-grow-businesses-and-if-i/) [Dean Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-phillips/) > [If you can build it, you can unbuild it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-pitts/if-you-can-build-it-you-can-unbuild-it/) [Jake Pitts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-pitts/) > [You don't build your character by doing what everybody else is doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ghosn/you-don-t-build-your-character-by-doing-what-everybody-else-is-doing/) [Carlos Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ghosn/) [Browse all 1,564 Build quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I wish I could build, build, build.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sergei Polunin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-things-like-that-i-wish-i-could/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Build" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-things-like-that-i-wish-i-could/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7c3/sergei-polunin-3855_destroying_i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-thi_1110179.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I wish I could, instead of destroying things like that, I wish I could build, build, build.” — Sergei Polunin", "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": "Sergei Polunin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I wish I could, instead of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-things-like-that-i-wish-i-could/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wish-i-could-instead-of-destroying-things-like-that-i-wish-i-could/#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 } } ] } ```