--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Passion isn't a path through the woods…" description: "\"“Passion isn't a path through the woods. Passion is the woods. It's the deepest, wildest part of the forest; the grove where the fairies still dance an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75a/tom-robbins-169_passion_passion-isn-t-a-path-through-the-woods-p_1104247.jpg" --- # Passion isn't a path through the woods. Passion is the… ![“Passion isn't a path through the woods. Passion is the woods. It's the deepest, wildest part of the forest; the grove where the fairies still dance and obscene old vipers snooze in the boughs. Everybody but the most dried up and dysfunctional is drawn to the grove and enchanted by its mysteries…” quote by Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75a/tom-robbins-169_passion_passion-isn-t-a-path-through-the-woods-p_1104247.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75a/tom-robbins-169_passion_passion-isn-t-a-path-through-the-woods-p_1104247.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75a/tom-robbins-169_passion_passion-isn-t-a-path-through-the-woods-p_1104247.jpg) > ““Passion isn't a path through the woods. Passion is the woods. It's the deepest, wildest part of the forest; the grove where the fairies still dance and obscene old vipers snooze in the boughs. Everybody but the most dried up and dysfunctional is drawn to the grove and enchanted by its mysteries, but then they just can't wait to call in the chain saws and bulldozers and replace it with a family-style restaurant or a new S and L. That's the payoff, I guess. Safety. Security. Certainty. Yes, indeed. Well, remember this, pussy latte: we're not involved in a 'relationship,' you and I, we're involved in a collision. Collisions don't much lend themselves to secure futures...”” [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Passion is an untamed, chaotic force within us, not a simple route; it resists being tamed into safe, predictable structures. **In simple terms:** Passion is wild, not a path. Key Takeaway Respect its wildness, avoid forcing it into safe molds. Themes creativity wildness authenticity conflict security Mood intense reflective defiant Type philosophical literary inspirational When to use this quote - artistic pursuits - personal relationships - career choices - environmental activism Key Concepts Existentialism creative freedom human desire Questions to Reflect On - How do you honor passion without trying to domesticate it? - What risks arise when safety is prioritized over authenticity? A Different Perspective Attempting to control passion often leads to loss of its vitality and authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Involved Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/involved-relationship-378423/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Passion Isn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion-isn-1012060/) [Passion Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion-woods-2909266/) [Relationship Involved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship-involved-1161508/) [Woods Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woods-passion-2909265/) ## Related quotes > [Would you complain because a beautiful sunset doesn't have a future or a shooting star a payoff? And why should romance 'lead anywhere'? Passion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/would-you-complain-because-a-beautiful-sunset-doesn-t-have-a-future/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [At the end of the day, when you get a sponsor, it's a working relationship. So anyone I get involved with, I want it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aljamain-sterling/at-the-end-of-the-day-when-you-get-a-sponsor-it-s-a-working/) [Aljamain Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aljamain-sterling/) > [“The second most common misconception about love is the idea that dependency is love...Its effect is seen most dramatically in an individual who makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/the-second-most-common-misconception-about-love-is-the-idea-that/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [“Once we are involved in a relationship, there is no longer any such thing as a minor detail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/once-we-are-involved-in-a-relationship-there-is-no-longer-any-such/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [With public figures involved in a relationship it seems that there is a machine behind their love so oftentimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/with-public-figures-involved-in-a-relationship-it-seems-that-there-is/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Separations cause heart break. Some people think and do things to themselves because they feel they can't go on in life without their partner.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/separations-cause-heart-break-some-people-think-and-do-things-to/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I want people to not be embarrassed going through breakups and divorces, to know what to do before they get involved in a relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-glanville/i-want-people-to-not-be-embarrassed-going-through-breakups-and/) [Brandi Glanville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-glanville/) > [“The 'dance of love' has different themes and moods, just like every relationship has its highs and lows. Enjoy the high moments and hang-on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olaotan-fawehinmi/the-dance-of-love-has-different-themes-and-moods-just-like-every/) [Olaotan Fawehinmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olaotan-fawehinmi/) > [If you're involved in a relationship with someone who genuinely cares about you, yet, you're continuously making excuses to avoid spending time with them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-hunter/if-you-re-involved-in-a-relationship-with-someone-who-genuinely-cares/) [Lucas Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-hunter/) > [If it isn't a passion, it isn't burning, it isn't on fire, you haven't lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-vreeland/if-it-isn-t-a-passion-it-isn-t-burning-it-isn-t-on-fire-you-haven-t/) [Diana Vreeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-vreeland/) > [Finding your passion isn't just about careers and money. It's about finding your authentic self. The one you've buried beneath other people's needs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hannah/finding-your-passion-isn-t-just-about-careers-and-money-it-s-about/) [Kristin Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hannah/) > [Passion isn't always available. The committed get things done even without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/passion-isn-t-always-available-the-committed-get-things-done-even/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [“Passion isn't enough for financial success. Your passion needs to make you money.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ziad-k-abdelnour/passion-isn-t-enough-for-financial-success-your-passion-needs-to-make/) [Ziad K. Abdelnour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ziad-k-abdelnour/) > [When the passion isn't there, the drive isn't there and it just doesn't last for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeriel-miranda/when-the-passion-isn-t-there-the-drive-isn-t-there-and-it-just-doesn/) [Aeriel Miranda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeriel-miranda/) > [You know the greatest thing is passion, without it what have you got? I mean if you love someone you can love them as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-vreeland/you-know-the-greatest-thing-is-passion-without-it-what-have-you-got-i/) [Diana Vreeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-vreeland/) ## More by Tom Robbins > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/love-is-the-ultimate-outlaw-it-just-won-t-adhere-to-any-rules-the/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Anyone who maintains absolute standards of good and evil is dangerous. As dangerous as a maniac with a loaded revolver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/anyone-who-maintains-absolute-standards-of-good-and-evil-is-dangerous/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“I believe in everything; nothing is sacred. I believe in nothing; everything is sacred. Ha Ha Ho Ho Hee Hee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/i-believe-in-everything-nothing-is-sacred-i-believe-in-nothing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [A sense of humor...is superior to any religion so far devised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/a-sense-of-humor-is-superior-to-any-religion-so-far-devised/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/love-is-the-ultimate-outlaw-it-just-won-t-adhere-to-any-rules-the-2/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“The glue that holds the natural world together appears to be a harmonious balance of opposites: day and night, light and dark, winter and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-glue-that-holds-the-natural-world-together-appears-to-be-a/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Zippers are primal and modern at the very same time. On the one hand, your zipper is primitive and reptilian, on the other, mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/zippers-are-primal-and-modern-at-the-very-same-time-on-the-one-hand/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“religion is a paramount contributor to human misery. It is not merely the opium of the masses, it is the cyanide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/religion-is-a-paramount-contributor-to-human-misery-it-is-not-merely/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [She continued weeping until the heat of her tear water, the sheer velocity of its flow, finally obscured the already vague circumstances of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/she-continued-weeping-until-the-heat-of-her-tear-water-the-sheer/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [The bottom line is that (a) people are never perfect, but love can be, (b) that is the one and only way that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-bottom-line-is-that-a-people-are-never-perfect-but-love-can-be-b/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Virtually every advancement made by our species since civilization first peeked out of its nest of stone has been initiated by lone individuals, mavericks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/virtually-every-advancement-made-by-our-species-since-civilization/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [When we accept small wonders, we qualify ourselves to imagine great wonders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/when-we-accept-small-wonders-we-qualify-ourselves-to-imagine-great/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) [Explore all 994 Tom Robbins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) ## More Passion quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [Passion is what you need to be good, an unforgiving passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-easton/passion-is-what-you-need-to-be-good-an-unforgiving-passion/) [David Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-easton/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [I have learned that you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do and buy all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/i-have-learned-that-you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-to-go-and-do/) [C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/) > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [I love people who have such passion for complete nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-handler/i-love-people-who-have-such-passion-for-complete-nonsense/) [Chelsea Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-handler/) > [Surely to root politics out of art is a highly necessary undertaking: for the freedom of art, like that of science, depends entirely upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyndham-lewis/surely-to-root-politics-out-of-art-is-a-highly-necessary-undertaking/) [Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyndham-lewis/) > [“After nine nights must come ten and every desperate meeting only leaves you desperate for another. There is never enough to eat, never enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/after-nine-nights-must-come-ten-and-every-desperate-meeting-only/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“Without passion and satisfaction, there is nothing to make happiness last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anikor-daniel/without-passion-and-satisfaction-there-is-nothing-to-make-happiness/) [ANIKOR Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anikor-daniel/) > [Football is my passion, and who knows where I will play in the future - you cannot foresee that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edinson-cavani/football-is-my-passion-and-who-knows-where-i-will-play-in-the-future/) [Edinson Cavani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edinson-cavani/) > [Well, He had known what love was-a sharp pang, a fierce experience, in the midst of whose flames he was struggling! but, through that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gaskell/well-he-had-known-what-love-was-a-sharp-pang-a-fierce-experience-in/) [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gaskell/) > [The life of a good man was a continual warfare with his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/the-life-of-a-good-man-was-a-continual-warfare-with-his-passions/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) [Browse all 12,364 Passion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Passion isn't a path through the woods. 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