--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've learnt an enormous amount from my…" description: "\"I've learnt an enormous amount from my children. Mostly that my agenda isn't the most important thing in the world. For a while, I was trying to squeez..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b1/toby-stephens-15685_agenda_i-ve-learnt-an-enormous-amount-from-my-c_3133334.jpg" --- # I've learnt an enormous amount from my children. Mostly… ![“I've learnt an enormous amount from my children. Mostly that my agenda isn't the most important thing in the world. For a while, I was trying to squeeze them into my life. And it was such torment! It makes you realise how selfish you are.” quote by Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b1/toby-stephens-15685_agenda_i-ve-learnt-an-enormous-amount-from-my-c_3133334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b1/toby-stephens-15685_agenda_i-ve-learnt-an-enormous-amount-from-my-c_3133334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b1/toby-stephens-15685_agenda_i-ve-learnt-an-enormous-amount-from-my-c_3133334.jpg) > “I've learnt an enormous amount from my children. Mostly that my agenda isn't the most important thing in the world. For a while, I was trying to squeeze them into my life. And it was such torment! It makes you realise how selfish you are.” [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Children teach us humility, showing that personal ambitions are secondary to their needs and well‑being. **In simple terms:** Kids remind us to prioritize others over self. Key Takeaway Value others before self. Themes family humility selflessness Mood reflective warm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - family gatherings - parent‑child conflicts - life planning - self‑centered projects Key Concepts parenting personal growth empathy Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice humility daily? - What does self‑lessness look like in your life? A Different Perspective May not apply to childless adults; cultural differences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agenda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agenda/) [Amount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amount/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children Agenda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-agenda-5551309/) [Enormous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enormous/) [Enormous Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enormous-children-5551310/) [How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/how/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-thing/) [Learnt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learnt/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes/) [Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/most/) [Mostly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mostly/) [My life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-life/) [Realise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realise/) [Realise Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realise-selfish-5551308/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Squeeze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/squeeze/) [The most important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/the-most-important/) [Them](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/them/) [Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing/) [Torment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torment/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Ve Learnt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ve-learnt/) [While](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/while/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [Remember when you used to be her everything? How does it feel to be nothing? Did she ever tell you the world is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-when-you-used-to-be-her-everything-how-does-it-feel-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One thing I've learnt is not to have a bucket list.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rylan-clark-neal/one-thing-i-ve-learnt-is-not-to-have-a-bucket-list/) [Rylan Clark-Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rylan-clark-neal/) > [I've learnt to trust through you and that am greatful for](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine/i-ve-learnt-to-trust-through-you-and-that-am-greatful-for/) [Josephine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine/) > [I've learnt to listen. I don't think I always did listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-wilton/i-ve-learnt-to-listen-i-don-t-think-i-always-did-listen/) [Penelope Wilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-wilton/) > [Because I've had to travel so frequently through work, I've also learnt how to be independent, and how to pick up aspects of different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-jackson/because-i-ve-had-to-travel-so-frequently-through-work-i-ve-also/) [Colin Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-jackson/) > [You know what else I've learnt? That it's all right not to ride the crest of the wave. Every time a wave comes along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-ehle/you-know-what-else-i-ve-learnt-that-it-s-all-right-not-to-ride-the/) [Jennifer Ehle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-ehle/) > [My parents keep me grounded. I've spent a lot of time on my own in my life, and I've learnt the hard way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atif-aslam/my-parents-keep-me-grounded-i-ve-spent-a-lot-of-time-on-my-own-in-my/) [Atif Aslam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atif-aslam/) > [I've learnt a lot about certain things but you also learn through your own experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-ve-learnt-a-lot-about-certain-things-but-you-also-learn-through/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [“One thing I’ve learnt in life is that you only know where things start. You never know where it’s going to end up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-mcauley/one-thing-i-ve-learnt-in-life-is-that-you-only-know-where-things/) [Vicki McAuley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-mcauley/) > [I've learnt that, even though I've travelled about, I haven't changed that much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-pilkington/i-ve-learnt-that-even-though-i-ve-travelled-about-i-haven-t-changed/) [Karl Pilkington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-pilkington/) > [The biggest thing I've learnt is not to limit myself by the norm or what I should be doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-buchanan/the-biggest-thing-i-ve-learnt-is-not-to-limit-myself-by-the-norm-or/) [Caroline Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-buchanan/) > [If I am able to pass on what I've learnt in my life, that's really wonderful, especially after losing Dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bindi-irwin/if-i-am-able-to-pass-on-what-i-ve-learnt-in-my-life-that-s-really/) [Bindi Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bindi-irwin/) > [I've learnt that you shouldn't take people seriously, whether they praise you or trash you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranveer-singh/i-ve-learnt-that-you-shouldn-t-take-people-seriously-whether-they/) [Ranveer Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranveer-singh/) > [I've learnt so much from Mithunda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prosenjit-chatterjee/i-ve-learnt-so-much-from-mithunda/) [Prosenjit Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prosenjit-chatterjee/) > [“I guess what I’ve learnt is lots of us (me included) try to change the things that make us, well, us. But we shouldn’t,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-guess-what-i-ve-learnt-is-lots-of-us-me-included-try-to-change-the/) [Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/) ## More by Toby Stephens > [That's the privilege of being a grandparent - they can indulge the children while parents have to be the bad guy. Grandparents can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/that-s-the-privilege-of-being-a-grandparent-they-can-indulge-the/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I remember going to the cinema to watch 'Blade Runner' when I was 14 or 15. It was a huge flop when it came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-remember-going-to-the-cinema-to-watch-blade-runner-when-i-was-14-or/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [They sent me the script, and I was dubious at first. I said, 'Lost in Space? They're reviving that? They tried to do that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/they-sent-me-the-script-and-i-was-dubious-at-first-i-said-lost-in/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I would love to be in a Jimmy McGovern drama on TV, but there is no way he would ever ask me unless it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-would-love-to-be-in-a-jimmy-mcgovern-drama-on-tv-but-there-is-no/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I love Scotland, mainly for its landscape. I like walking, and it's a great place to go hiking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-love-scotland-mainly-for-its-landscape-i-like-walking-and-it-s-a/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I'm fair-skinned, so beaches are a bit boring for me. I'm either smeared in lotion or under a shade. However, I do love the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-m-fair-skinned-so-beaches-are-a-bit-boring-for-me-i-m-either/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [Whenever I'm doing stage, I want to be doing screen, and vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/whenever-i-m-doing-stage-i-want-to-be-doing-screen-and-vice-versa/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [If you're going to reboot something, reboot it in a totally original way that speaks to a new generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/if-you-re-going-to-reboot-something-reboot-it-in-a-totally-original/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I blub all the time, in the most weird situations - not in the ones that should make me cry. Music makes me very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-blub-all-the-time-in-the-most-weird-situations-not-in-the-ones-that/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I was doing a lot of great theatre, but I just couldn't work out how to make ends meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-was-doing-a-lot-of-great-theatre-but-i-just-couldn-t-work-out-how/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [My parents' parents were regular working-class people. I ended up speaking in a certain way, and one gets sidelined into doing certain parts. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/my-parents-parents-were-regular-working-class-people-i-ended-up/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [When I met with Anna Chancellor, I knew she was a kindred spirit. We got one another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/when-i-met-with-anna-chancellor-i-knew-she-was-a-kindred-spirit-we/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [You can't learn how to act; you can only really learn it through experience and practice and really finding what your voice is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/you-can-t-learn-how-to-act-you-can-only-really-learn-it-through/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [Quite honestly, as long as I am working, can enjoy what I do, get on with it, and put bread on the table, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/quite-honestly-as-long-as-i-am-working-can-enjoy-what-i-do-get-on/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) > [I remember my parents being really on me about speaking in a certain way when I was young, I think because they came from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-stephens/i-remember-my-parents-being-really-on-me-about-speaking-in-a-certain/) [Toby Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) [Explore all 42 Toby Stephens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-stephens/) ## More Agenda quotes > [It's when someone has an agenda of their own for the record that it doesn't work for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/it-s-when-someone-has-an-agenda-of-their-own-for-the-record-that-it/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [Realizing that they can't get their agenda across: against religious liberty, against a culture of life, they can't get those issues across through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-parsley/realizing-that-they-can-t-get-their-agenda-across-against-religious/) [Rod Parsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-parsley/) > [Hypocrisy is a detriment to progress. There's always a hidden agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-flynt/hypocrisy-is-a-detriment-to-progress-there-s-always-a-hidden-agenda/) [Larry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-flynt/) > [I didn't want to go marching down the street with camera crews. Oy. To get married? Really? It seems like you have an agenda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-patrick-harris/i-didn-t-want-to-go-marching-down-the-street-with-camera-crews-oy-to/) [Neil Patrick Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-patrick-harris/) > [I'm not afraid of having an agenda. I do have an agenda. It's a positive agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-m-not-afraid-of-having-an-agenda-i-do-have-an-agenda-it-s-a/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [I think in some ways we have allowed other people to set the agenda. Other people to define who we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-scott/i-think-in-some-ways-we-have-allowed-other-people-to-set-the-agenda/) [Lee Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-scott/) > [The doughy-faced woman has been forced to sit on the sidelines of culture for too long, and it's now time for us to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/the-doughy-faced-woman-has-been-forced-to-sit-on-the-sidelines-of/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [The face of time is our agenda. our agenda is a task,task of time. to prepare is to task our agenda. preparing is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-face-of-time-is-our-agenda-our-agenda-is-a-task-task-of-time-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love the energy of an independent film set. No one is there for the money. Everyone is there 'cause they really want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mamie-gummer/i-love-the-energy-of-an-independent-film-set-no-one-is-there-for-the/) [Mamie Gummer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mamie-gummer/) > [Healthcare reform is a paradigmatic case. It is self-evidently necessary and inevitable and has been on the agenda for 35 years, and the political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-judt/healthcare-reform-is-a-paradigmatic-case-it-is-self-evidently/) [Tony Judt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-judt/) > [I've said in the primary race repeatedly that a Labour Party that I lead would be a true red Labour Party, be very clear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cunliffe/i-ve-said-in-the-primary-race-repeatedly-that-a-labour-party-that-i/) [David Cunliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cunliffe/) > [I'm really looking for an agenda that looks at safety for our communities beyond policing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/opal-tometi/i-m-really-looking-for-an-agenda-that-looks-at-safety-for-our/) [Opal Tometi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/opal-tometi/) > [My district really wanted me... to take a hard stance against a Donald Trump agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-gomez/my-district-really-wanted-me-to-take-a-hard-stance-against-a-donald/) [Jimmy Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-gomez/) > [Commercial theater, in its agenda to appeal to everybody, is often at the expense of the unique vision of the artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-c-wolfe/commercial-theater-in-its-agenda-to-appeal-to-everybody-is-often-at/) [George C. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-c-wolfe/) > [Others have said it before me. If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu. And so it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/others-have-said-it-before-me-if-you-don-t-have-a-seat-at-the-table/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) [Browse all 296 Agenda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agenda/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've learnt an enormous amount from my children. Mostly that my agenda isn't the most important thing in the world. For a while, I was trying to squeeze them into my life. And it was such torment! 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