--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By the age of 14, I had stopped doing…" description: "\"By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was up to the local snooker club. I was fortun..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg" --- # By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped… ![“By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was up to the local snooker club. I was fortunate my parents never forced me to stop playing snooker and told me to carry on at school. Nowadays, that probably isn't the best advice. I…” quote by Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg) > “By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was up to the local snooker club. I was fortunate my parents never forced me to stop playing snooker and told me to carry on at school. Nowadays, that probably isn't the best advice. I basically had nothing else to fall back on.” [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early focus on leisure over academics can limit future options, highlighting the need for balanced priorities. **In simple terms:** Too much play can hinder long‑term plans. Key Takeaway Balance fun with responsibility. Themes education balance future planning Mood thoughtful pragmatic Type advice reflective When to use this quote - school - sports - career choices - skill development Key Concepts time management opportunity cost career development Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate hobbies without sacrificing goals? - What strategies ensure both growth and enjoyment? A Different Perspective Balancing may be hard when passion dominates. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Homework](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homework/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Playing Snooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/playing-snooker-1386629/) [Snooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snooker/) [Spare time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spare-time/) [Stopped Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-doing-740966/) [Stopped Studying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-studying-1761776/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I have always loved playing snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/i-have-always-loved-playing-snooker/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [I just love playing snooker. Every single frame is different. Not one referee ever sets the balls up exactly the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-just-love-playing-snooker-every-single-frame-is-different-not-one/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I had such a great affection and love for playing snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-had-such-a-great-affection-and-love-for-playing-snooker/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I got into pool tournaments when I was five, playing every weekend in competitions. Then one day I started playing snooker. I learnt by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/i-got-into-pool-tournaments-when-i-was-five-playing-every-weekend-in/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [I have always wanted to live my life as well as playing snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-trump/i-have-always-wanted-to-live-my-life-as-well-as-playing-snooker/) [Judd Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-trump/) > [Going into a tournament with 100 per cent belief you will win it - that's how I've always enjoyed snooker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/going-into-a-tournament-with-100-per-cent-belief-you-will-win-it-that/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In snooker, it's very important to keep very still on the shot and allow the cue to do the work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-snooker-it-s-very-important-to-keep-very-still-on-the-shot-and/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I got into poker in the early 2000s. In snooker tournaments, you are always looking for things to pass the time between matches, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-got-into-poker-in-the-early-2000s-in-snooker-tournaments-you-are/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [You cannot underestimate the body blow for a snooker player of having your cue broken. After all, it's an extension to your arm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/you-cannot-underestimate-the-body-blow-for-a-snooker-player-of-having/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [On one podcast, I attempt to antagonise and lose listeners by commentating on myself playing snooker against myself in my basement. Most people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-herring/on-one-podcast-i-attempt-to-antagonise-and-lose-listeners-by/) [Richard Herring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-herring/) > [My dad was a coalman and was always playing snooker with his mates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-white/my-dad-was-a-coalman-and-was-always-playing-snooker-with-his-mates/) [Jimmy White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-white/) > [It's the worst feeling in the world - to lose in the first round at Sheffield and then have to go home - because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-s-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world-to-lose-in-the-first-round-at/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Snooker is my sanctuary and always has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/snooker-is-my-sanctuary-and-always-has-been/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [When I started, there was never a great history of people doing well in snooker from Scotland. By chance, I got a table for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-i-started-there-was-never-a-great-history-of-people-doing-well/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In all the years I've been playing, I've never considered changing my cue. It was the first cue I ever bought, aged 13, picked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-all-the-years-i-ve-been-playing-i-ve-never-considered-changing-my/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) ## More by Stephen Hendry > [When you have a big lead, you relax and don't concentrate as much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-have-a-big-lead-you-relax-and-don-t-concentrate-as-much/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I always loved playing in front of big audiences; now I'm jittery if one person is in the room watching me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-always-loved-playing-in-front-of-big-audiences-now-i-m-jittery-if/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [When I'm practising on my own, my game feels great, but there's a big difference between practising on your own and playing against people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-i-m-practising-on-my-own-my-game-feels-great-but-there-s-a-big/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Ever since I was a kid, I'd imagine that I was making a break to win the world championship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-d-imagine-that-i-was-making-a-break-to-win/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [Maybe I wish I could be out there on the big occasions playing like I did at my peak, but I certainly don't miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/maybe-i-wish-i-could-be-out-there-on-the-big-occasions-playing-like-i/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I like cookery programmes: Anthony Bourdain going around the world eating stuff; Rick Stein - he's another favourite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-like-cookery-programmes-anthony-bourdain-going-around-the-world/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [The memories for the missed opportunities are stronger than for the ones I managed to get over the line in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/the-memories-for-the-missed-opportunities-are-stronger-than-for-the/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [When you get a trophy, why go jumping and crying? Winning's a great feeling, but everything else is an anti-climax.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/when-you-get-a-trophy-why-go-jumping-and-crying-winning-s-a-great/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I remember far more shots that cost me matches than the ones that won me matches. That is maybe the way you think if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-remember-far-more-shots-that-cost-me-matches-than-the-ones-that-won/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [There are some people who never get used to losing at anything, and I am probably one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/there-are-some-people-who-never-get-used-to-losing-at-anything-and-i/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [It is quite surreal when you go to places up the north, like Inner Mongolia, and you are getting mobbed at the airport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-quite-surreal-when-you-go-to-places-up-the-north-like-inner/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I put on the tuxedo, and it's like putting on overalls - they're my work clothes. Then I go to work. I'm relaxed. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-put-on-the-tuxedo-and-it-s-like-putting-on-overalls-they-re-my-work/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [In any sport at the top level, if you don't put in the hard work, you can be sure someone else is. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/in-any-sport-at-the-top-level-if-you-don-t-put-in-the-hard-work-you/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [It is just down to confidence. When I haven't got any, I hate playing the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/it-is-just-down-to-confidence-when-i-haven-t-got-any-i-hate-playing/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) > [I find it very difficult when, due to a lack of confidence, I don't produce and lose matches I could have won.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/i-find-it-very-difficult-when-due-to-a-lack-of-confidence-i-don-t/) [Stephen Hendry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) [Explore all 100 Stephen Hendry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]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/) > [My relationship with Ibrahimovic was completely neutral. He is not the type of player to approach the younger players and give them advice. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-coman/my-relationship-with-ibrahimovic-was-completely-neutral-he-is-not-the/) [Kingsley Coman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-coman/) [Browse all 8,535 Advice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was up to the local snooker club. I was fortunate my parents never forced me to stop playing snooker and told me to carry on at school. Nowadays, that probably isn't the best advice. I basically had nothing else to fall back on.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stephen Hendry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-homework-and-stopped-studying-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-homework-and-stopped-studying-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f5/stephen-hendry-5581_advice_by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-hom_1769146.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“By the age of 14, I had stopped doing homework and stopped studying - as soon as I had any spare time, I was…” — Stephen Hendry", "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": "Stephen Hendry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hendry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "By the age of 14, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-homework-and-stopped-studying-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hendry/by-the-age-of-14-i-had-stopped-doing-homework-and-stopped-studying-as/#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 } } ] } ```