--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go…" description: "\"“Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and eventually we'll get there. What I mean is that we'll get somewhere. Out of here. I mean, logically..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg" --- # Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and… ![“Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and eventually we'll get there. What I mean is that we'll get somewhere. Out of here. I mean, logically, we have to get out as long as we walk straight. I've done this millions of times. Whenever everything's killing me, I just say to myself, screw…” quote by Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg) > ““Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and eventually we'll get there. What I mean is that we'll get somewhere. Out of here. I mean, logically, we have to get out as long as we walk straight. I've done this millions of times. Whenever everything's killing me, I just say to myself, screw it, and go straight ahead.”” [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She urges ignoring obstacles and moving forward with determination, using a straight line as a metaphor for persistence. **In simple terms:** Keep moving forward despite hardships. Key Takeaway Persist and keep moving forward. Themes perseverance determination resilience self‑motivation Mood motivational determined realistic Type advice philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal crises - daily stress - long‑term projects Key Concepts goal setting mental endurance overcoming adversity Questions to Reflect On - What obstacles can a straight path overlook? - How do you balance persistence with strategic planning? A Different Perspective Straight path may ignore necessary detours or reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Orchid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orchid/) [Sundial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sundial/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Orchid hunting is a mortal occupation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/orchid-hunting-is-a-mortal-occupation/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“In a sense, then, the number of orchid species on the planet is uncountable because it is constantly changing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/in-a-sense-then-the-number-of-orchid-species-on-the-planet-is/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [The old orchid hunter lay back on his pillow, his body limp... 'You'll curse the insects,' he said at least, 'and you'll curse the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/the-old-orchid-hunter-lay-back-on-his-pillow-his-body-limp-you-ll/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“Being an orchid hunter has always meant pursuing beautiful things in terrible places.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/being-an-orchid-hunter-has-always-meant-pursuing-beautiful-things-in/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“Orchid hunting is a mortal occupation. That has always been part of its charm, Laroche loved orchids, but I came to believe he loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/orchid-hunting-is-a-mortal-occupation-that-has-always-been-part-of/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“She looked as if she were a vampire about to check the time—with a sundial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/she-looked-as-if-she-were-a-vampire-about-to-check-the-time-with-a/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [I suppose we all tend to remember only the happiness from our childhood, as a sundial refuses to tell the time except in fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-levin/i-suppose-we-all-tend-to-remember-only-the-happiness-from-our/) [Bernard Levin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-levin/) > [Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/hide-not-your-talents-they-for-use-were-made-what-s-a-sundial-in-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Old sundial, you stand here for Time: For Love, the vine that round your base Its tendrils twines, and dares to climb And lay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-farjeon/old-sundial-you-stand-here-for-time-for-love-the-vine-that-round-your/) [Eleanor Farjeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-farjeon/) > [“I'm very damn wet!' he said aloud to the sundial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/i-m-very-damn-wet-he-said-aloud-to-the-sundial/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [The Bible without the Holy Spirit is a sundial by moonlight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-l-moody/the-bible-without-the-holy-spirit-is-a-sundial-by-moonlight/) [Dwight L. Moody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-l-moody/) > [“I continued my explorations in a cobbled yard overlooked by broken doors and cracked windows. Pushing open a swollen door into a storeroom, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/i-continued-my-explorations-in-a-cobbled-yard-overlooked-by-broken/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [I am a sundial, and I make a botch Of what is done much better by a watch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaire-belloc/i-am-a-sundial-and-i-make-a-botch-of-what-is-done-much-better-by-a/) [Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaire-belloc/) > [“And the time sundials tell May be minutes and hours. But it may just as well Be seconds and sparkles, or seasons and flowers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ciardi/and-the-time-sundials-tell-may-be-minutes-and-hours-but-it-may-just/) [John Ciardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ciardi/) > [“Autumn The cheerful sundial it falls in the shadow of thy leaves there where your branches brace themselves against the gate of heaven”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/autumn-the-cheerful-sundial-it-falls-in-the-shadow-of-thy-leaves/) sir kristian goldmund aumann ## More by Susan Orlean > [I've used Twitter now and again to try to figure something out; it's an amazing resource. But I think you have to use it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-ve-used-twitter-now-and-again-to-try-to-figure-something-out-it-s/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [Who on earth is going to use 'utilize' in a text message, a whopping seven characters including the always-hard-to-type 'z,' when you can say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/who-on-earth-is-going-to-use-utilize-in-a-text-message-a-whopping/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [When my son was born, and after a day of lying-in I was told that I could leave the hospital and take him home,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/when-my-son-was-born-and-after-a-day-of-lying-in-i-was-told-that-i/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I'm happy to be reminded that an ordinary day full of nothing but nothingness can make you feel like you've won the lottery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-m-happy-to-be-reminded-that-an-ordinary-day-full-of-nothing-but/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I once had a boyfriend who couldn't write unless he was wearing a necktie and a dress shirt, which I thought was really weird,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-once-had-a-boyfriend-who-couldn-t-write-unless-he-was-wearing-a/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [“I, too, had set out to be remembered. I had wanted to create something permanent in my life- some proof that everything in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-too-had-set-out-to-be-remembered-i-had-wanted-to-create-something/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I think of myself as something of a connoisseur of procrastination, creative and dogged in my approach to not getting things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-think-of-myself-as-something-of-a-connoisseur-of-procrastination/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I'm very excited about my new Spotify account, which gives me access to twenty gazillion songs any time, all the time. The day I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-m-very-excited-about-my-new-spotify-account-which-gives-me-access/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I approach stories as a private educational enterprise: I want to learn about something. I teach myself through research, reporting, and thinking, and then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-approach-stories-as-a-private-educational-enterprise-i-want-to/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [We're fascinated by animals because it's almost like having Martians living among us. We can see some familiarity in them, but they're entirely different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/we-re-fascinated-by-animals-because-it-s-almost-like-having-martians/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [My inspiration is really very simple: I'm struck by things that I want to know more about. I really do react just as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/my-inspiration-is-really-very-simple-i-m-struck-by-things-that-i-want/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I am dismayed to realize that much of the advice I used to parcel out to aspiring writers has passed its sell-by date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-am-dismayed-to-realize-that-much-of-the-advice-i-used-to-parcel-out/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [I wish I had coined the phrase 'tyranny of choice,' but someone beat me to it. The counterintuitive truth is that have an abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/i-wish-i-had-coined-the-phrase-tyranny-of-choice-but-someone-beat-me/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [My ace in the hole as a human being used to be my capacity for remembering birthdays. I worked at it. Whenever I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/my-ace-in-the-hole-as-a-human-being-used-to-be-my-capacity-for/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) > [Sometimes I think I've figured out some order in the universe, but then I find myself in Florida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/sometimes-i-think-i-ve-figured-out-some-order-in-the-universe-but/) [Susan Orlean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) [Explore all 179 Susan Orlean quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/) ## 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 > [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": "“Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and eventually we'll get there. What I mean is that we'll get somewhere. Out of here. I mean, logically, we have to get out as long as we walk straight. I've done this millions of times. Whenever everything's killing me, I just say to myself, screw it, and go straight ahead.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Susan Orlean" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-straight-and-eventually-we-ll-get/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-straight-and-eventually-we-ll-get/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3a/susan-orlean-2207_advice_okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-stra_393196.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just go straight and eventually we'll get there. What I mean is that we'll get…” — Susan Orlean", "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": "Susan Orlean", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-orlean/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Okay, fuck the sundial. We'll just...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-straight-and-eventually-we-ll-get/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-orlean/okay-fuck-the-sundial-we-ll-just-go-straight-and-eventually-we-ll-get/#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 } } ] } ```