--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who wants to get to the source must…" description: "\"He who wants to get to the source must swim against the current.\" — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png" --- # He who wants to get to the source must swim against the… ![“He who wants to get to the source must swim against the current.” quote by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png) > “He who wants to get to the source must swim against the current.” [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. To discover truth, one must challenge prevailing norms and resist conformity. **In simple terms:** Seek truth by opposing the mainstream. Key Takeaway Question the status quo. Themes truth rebellion critical thinking Mood provocative motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - activism - scientific research - personal growth Key Concepts philosophy politics ethics Questions to Reflect On - What current belief would you challenge? - How do you handle resistance? A Different Perspective Opposition can be risky and isolating. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [No one wants to be a source of anxiety to everybody they know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cooper-clarke/no-one-wants-to-be-a-source-of-anxiety-to-everybody-they-know/) [John Cooper Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cooper-clarke/) > [Don't swim against the current. Just know that you are doing what you have to do, and you're doing it as well as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-swim-against-the-current-just-know-that-you-are-doing-what-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am afraid we are little better than straws upon the water; we may flatter ourselves that we swim, when the current carries us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wortley-montagu/i-am-afraid-we-are-little-better-than-straws-upon-the-water-we-may/) [Mary Wortley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wortley-montagu/) > [“Only dead Salmon swim with the current”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mcnutt-woodsmoke/only-dead-salmon-swim-with-the-current/) Ben McNutt - Woodsmoke > [Don't swim against the current. Stay in the river, become the river; and the river is already going to the sea. This is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/don-t-swim-against-the-current-stay-in-the-river-become-the-river-and/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“Time is a river, I've learned. Always moving forward. But for people like me, people who have loved and lost, the river is something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-klune/time-is-a-river-i-ve-learned-always-moving-forward-but-for-people/) [T.J. Klune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-klune/) > [Men have been taught that it is a virtue to agree with others. But the creator is the man who disagrees. Men have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/men-have-been-taught-that-it-is-a-virtue-to-agree-with-others-but-the/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Every wave is a water sprite who swims in the current, each current is a path which snakes towards my palace, and my palace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mile-zola/every-wave-is-a-water-sprite-who-swims-in-the-current-each-current-is/) [Emile Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mile-zola/) > [If people want insights, if they want to swim in the currents of their own time and share the experiences of their time, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-hersch/if-people-want-insights-if-they-want-to-swim-in-the-currents-of-their/) [Michael Hersch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-hersch/) > [The Buddha described his teaching as "going against the stream." The unflinching light of mindful awareness reveals the extent to which we are tossed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/the-buddha-described-his-teaching-as-going-against-the-stream-the/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [Pay attention, my young friends: to go against the current; this is good for the heart, but we need courage to swim against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/pay-attention-my-young-friends-to-go-against-the-current-this-is-good/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I think the emotional toolbox I have is healthy for an actor, as far as the intensity of emotions go. It's other things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannyn-sossamon/i-think-the-emotional-toolbox-i-have-is-healthy-for-an-actor-as-far/) [Shannyn Sossamon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannyn-sossamon/) > [Today, let us swim wildly, joyously in gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/today-let-us-swim-wildly-joyously-in-gratitude/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [A child who goes to school but learns nothing is like an anchor that is always in the sea yet doesnt learn to swim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-child-who-goes-to-school-but-learns-nothing-is-like-an-anchor-that/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [I'm at the edge of the world, Where do I go from here? Do I disappear? Edge of the world, Should I sink or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bring-me-the-horizon/i-m-at-the-edge-of-the-world-where-do-i-go-from-here-do-i-disappear/) [Bring Me The Horizon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bring-me-the-horizon/) ## More by Stanislaw Jerzy Lec > [Even Einstein had to rely for his time on his clock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-einstein-had-to-rely-for-his-time-on-his-clock/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A sweet thing, perspective - a chance to see your enemies so small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-sweet-thing-perspective-a-chance-to-see-your-enemies-so-small/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [The success of Heine -- to become a world-famous 'unknown poet.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/the-success-of-heine-to-become-a-world-famous-unknown-poet/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [What do I believe? I believe in God, if he exists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/what-do-i-believe-i-believe-in-god-if-he-exists/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [There are parodies of non-existent things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/there-are-parodies-of-non-existent-things/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Love of one's country recognizes no frontiers... of other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/love-of-one-s-country-recognizes-no-frontiers-of-other-countries/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Illiterates have to dictate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/illiterates-have-to-dictate/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [“Even the masochists tell everything when tortured. From sheer gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/even-the-masochists-tell-everything-when-tortured-from-sheer-gratitude/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Many a zero thinks it is the ellipse on which the Earth travels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/many-a-zero-thinks-it-is-the-ellipse-on-which-the-earth-travels/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I don't agree with mathematics; the sum total of zeros is a frightening figure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-don-t-agree-with-mathematics-the-sum-total-of-zeros-is-a/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Let him who is without guilt cast the first stone. A trap. Because then he will be no longer without guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/let-him-who-is-without-guilt-cast-the-first-stone-a-trap-because-then/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [A fat person lives shorter but eats longer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/a-fat-person-lives-shorter-but-eats-longer/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [An empty envelope that is sealed contains a secret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/an-empty-envelope-that-is-sealed-contains-a-secret/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [Advice to writers: Sometimes you just have to stop writing. Even before you begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/advice-to-writers-sometimes-you-just-have-to-stop-writing-even-before/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) > [I prefer the sign NO ENTRANCE to the sign which says NO EXIT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/i-prefer-the-sign-no-entrance-to-the-sign-which-says-no-exit/) [Stanislaw Jerzy Lec](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) [Explore all 128 Stanislaw Jerzy Lec quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/) ## More Currents quotes > [In the current climate, things that are true, brave human stories become political.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/in-the-current-climate-things-that-are-true-brave-human-stories/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [I take the seashell from my jeans pocket and rub my fingers across its silken, indented surface, shallow as my own open hand. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kenison/i-take-the-seashell-from-my-jeans-pocket-and-rub-my-fingers-across/) [Katrina Kenison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kenison/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [I earn my living by teaching film, mostly filmmaking but also teaching courses on current cinema. I'm interested in movies. I hope that's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-andersen/i-earn-my-living-by-teaching-film-mostly-filmmaking-but-also-teaching/) [Thom Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-andersen/) > [I think that's the beauty of the current setup, is that Legends is meant to be a bit of a revolving door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wentworth-miller/i-think-that-s-the-beauty-of-the-current-setup-is-that-legends-is/) [Wentworth Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wentworth-miller/) > [The seed of your next artwork lies embedded in the imperfections of your current piece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/the-seed-of-your-next-artwork-lies-embedded-in-the-imperfections-of/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [Combining the experience of a seasoned university president with the analysis of a respected legal scholar, Derek Bok explores what he concludes are 'signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-h-t-rhodes/combining-the-experience-of-a-seasoned-university-president-with-the/) Frank H. T. Rhodes > [The book is like the spoon, scissors, the hammer, the wheel. Once invented, it cannot be improved. You cannot make a spoon that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/the-book-is-like-the-spoon-scissors-the-hammer-the-wheel-once/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [Something I like to do a lot is just sit by water when there’s a current and just stare into the water. I don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iggy-pop/something-i-like-to-do-a-lot-is-just-sit-by-water-when-there-s-a/) [Iggy Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iggy-pop/) > [Read things you're sure will disagree with your current thinking. If you're a die-hard anti-animal person, read Meat. If you're a die-hard global warming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-salatin/read-things-you-re-sure-will-disagree-with-your-current-thinking-if/) [Joel Salatin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-salatin/) > [All becomes easy when we follow the current of opinion; it is the ruler of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/all-becomes-easy-when-we-follow-the-current-of-opinion-it-is-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Donald Trump said he will not decide about a possible run for the presidency until after the current season of Celebrity Apprentice wraps up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/donald-trump-said-he-will-not-decide-about-a-possible-run-for-the/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) Browse all 2,019 Currents quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He who wants to get to the source must swim against the current.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-swim-against-the-current/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Currents" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-swim-against-the-current/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a53/stanislaw-jerzy-lec-3312_currents_he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-s_2657453.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who wants to get to the source must swim against the current.” — Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "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": "Stanislaw Jerzy Lec", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who wants to get to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-swim-against-the-current/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-jerzy-lec/he-who-wants-to-get-to-the-source-must-swim-against-the-current/#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 } } ] } ```