--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: be careful what you want, for you will…" description: "\"be careful what you want, for you will get it.\" — Sheilah Graham Westbrook" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png" --- # be careful what you want, for you will get it. ![“be careful what you want, for you will get it.” quote by Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png) > “be careful what you want, for you will get it.” [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire shapes outcome; caution needed when wishes are unchecked. **In simple terms:** Be careful what you wish. Key Takeaway Think before you wish. Themes caution desire consequence Mood reflective concerned Type advice warning When to use this quote - goal setting - relationship decisions - career planning Key Concepts psychology self‑fulfilling prophecy Questions to Reflect On - What hidden costs might your wish bring? - Are you prepared for unintended outcomes? A Different Perspective Unclear if wish alone determines result; external factors matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [What you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-you-want/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [I am well aware of it myself that I have to be careful. But I want to make it clear that I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-ribery/i-am-well-aware-of-it-myself-that-i-have-to-be-careful-but-i-want-to/) [Franck Ribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-ribery/) > [“I can’t take any more of being careful around her. I want her. Not just for now, but for always.—HEW”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-warren/i-can-t-take-any-more-of-being-careful-around-her-i-want-her-not-just/) [Michelle Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-warren/) > [Be careful not to compromise what you want most for what you want now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/be-careful-not-to-compromise-what-you-want-most-for-what-you-want-now/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [Be careful what you choose: You may get it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/be-careful-what-you-choose-you-may-get-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the worst Spanish student in the history of the language.” I laughed. “No problemo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/be-careful-i-wouldn-t-want-anything-to-happen-to-the-worst-spanish/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/one-must-always-be-careful-of-books-said-tessa-and-what-is-inside/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Be careful who you might trust the Devil was once an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-careful-who-you-might-trust-the-devil-was-once-an-angel-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And so we have to be careful with looking at additional stimulus that we don't provoke an increase in the bond rate and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-raines/and-so-we-have-to-be-careful-with-looking-at-additional-stimulus-that/) [Franklin Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-raines/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/) [L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/) > [Well sometimes, culture can stifle talent, so you have to be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/well-sometimes-culture-can-stifle-talent-so-you-have-to-be-careful/) [Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/) ## More by Sheilah Graham Westbrook > [You never put off until tomorrow or even this afternoon what you can do this morning. Attack the objective when your desire is strongest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/you-never-put-off-until-tomorrow-or-even-this-afternoon-what-you-can/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [The youthful sparkle in Ronald Reagan's eyes is caused by his contact lenses, which he keeps highly polished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/the-youthful-sparkle-in-ronald-reagan-s-eyes-is-caused-by-his-contact/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [Food, sex, and liquor create their own appetite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/food-sex-and-liquor-create-their-own-appetite/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [Food is the most primitive form of comfort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/food-is-the-most-primitive-form-of-comfort/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [I have learned that part of the formula for success is to keep quiet about your objective until you get it. Just as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/i-have-learned-that-part-of-the-formula-for-success-is-to-keep-quiet/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [I sometimes mistake my typewriter for my teeth, because the more I bite the more my column will be read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/i-sometimes-mistake-my-typewriter-for-my-teeth-because-the-more-i/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [No one has a closest friend in Hollywood. These guys do not do friends in the orthodox sense!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/no-one-has-a-closest-friend-in-hollywood-these-guys-do-not-do-friends/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [You just never know when you're going into eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/you-just-never-know-when-you-re-going-into-eternity/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [Women without men are usually nervous. ... The important thing is to have a man, even if you just like him. Pleasing him, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/women-without-men-are-usually-nervous-the-important-thing-is-to-have/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) > [I won't be remembered for my writing. I'll be remembered as Scott's mistress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/i-won-t-be-remembered-for-my-writing-i-ll-be-remembered-as-scott-s/) [Sheilah Graham Westbrook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) [Explore all 11 Sheilah Graham Westbrook quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/) ## More Be careful quotes > [Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the worst Spanish student in the history of the language.” I laughed. “No problemo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/be-careful-i-wouldn-t-want-anything-to-happen-to-the-worst-spanish/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/) [L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/) > [Well sometimes, culture can stifle talent, so you have to be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-williams/well-sometimes-culture-can-stifle-talent-so-you-have-to-be-careful/) [Monty Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-williams/) > [And so we have to be careful with looking at additional stimulus that we don't provoke an increase in the bond rate and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-raines/and-so-we-have-to-be-careful-with-looking-at-additional-stimulus-that/) [Franklin Raines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-raines/) > [Be careful who you might trust the Devil was once an angel too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-careful-who-you-might-trust-the-devil-was-once-an-angel-too/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/one-must-always-be-careful-of-books-said-tessa-and-what-is-inside/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [He who believes in God is not careful for the morrow, but labors joyfully and with a great heart. "For He giveth His beloved,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther/he-who-believes-in-god-is-not-careful-for-the-morrow-but-labors/) [Martin Luther](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther/) > [Be careful, once water is spilled, it can never return to its container](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciel-phantomhive/be-careful-once-water-is-spilled-it-can-never-return-to-its-container/) [Ciel Phantomhive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciel-phantomhive/) > [We used to tell our receivers, 'If you want to run an inside breaking route, and you want to fight for yardage after the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-gruden/we-used-to-tell-our-receivers-if-you-want-to-run-an-inside-breaking/) [Jon Gruden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-gruden/) > [A bad investment is going for quantity over quality. If you're trying to be careful with your wallet, especially with the economy right now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-siriano/a-bad-investment-is-going-for-quantity-over-quality-if-you-re-trying/) [Christian Siriano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-siriano/) Browse all 989 Be careful quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "be careful what you want, for you will get it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sheilah Graham Westbrook" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-get-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be careful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-get-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59b/sheilah-graham-westbrook-39848_be-careful_be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-ge_2145651.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“be careful what you want, for you will get it.” — Sheilah Graham Westbrook", "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": "Sheilah Graham Westbrook", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheilah-graham-westbrook/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "be careful what you want, for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-get-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheilah-graham-westbrook/be-careful-what-you-want-for-you-will-get-it/#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 } } ] } ```