--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was young, I didn't like to read…" description: "\"When I was young, I didn't like to read. I would have much rather been outside doing something than been inside reading about it.\" — Tony Dungy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/tony-dungy-2343_books_when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-like-to-read-i_2502030.png" --- # When I was young, I didn't like to read. I would have much… ![“When I was young, I didn't like to read. I would have much rather been outside doing something than been inside reading about it.” quote by Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/tony-dungy-2343_books_when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-like-to-read-i_2502030.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/tony-dungy-2343_books_when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-like-to-read-i_2502030.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ae8/tony-dungy-2343_books_when-i-was-young-i-didn-t-like-to-read-i_2502030.png) > “When I was young, I didn't like to read. I would have much rather been outside doing something than been inside reading about it.” [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A childhood preference for outdoor activity over reading reflects differing learning styles and interests. **In simple terms:** Kids often prefer play to reading, showing varied interests. Key Takeaway Encourage diverse learning experiences. Themes education childhood learning styles play interest Mood encouraging thoughtful practical Type educational inspirational When to use this quote - school curriculum design - parental guidance - after‑school programs - reading encouragement Key Concepts developmental psychology motivation habit formation Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance reading with active play? - What activities can spark a love of reading? A Different Perspective Focusing solely on reading may neglect other valuable skills. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Didn Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-like/) [Like Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-read/) [Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read/) [Read Outside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/read-outside-1070896/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) ## Related quotes > [There were times over the years when life was not easy, but if you're working a few hours a day and you've got a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/there-were-times-over-the-years-when-life-was-not-easy-but-if-you-re/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [I had no idea that 'Less Than Zero' was going to be read by anyone outside of Los Angeles, and it's - believe me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-easton-ellis/i-had-no-idea-that-less-than-zero-was-going-to-be-read-by-anyone/) [Bret Easton Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-easton-ellis/) > [I think people are sometime reluctant to read outside of their own race. This is heartbreaking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-woodson/i-think-people-are-sometime-reluctant-to-read-outside-of-their-own/) [Jacqueline Woodson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-woodson/) > [Books are more real when you read them outside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/books-are-more-real-when-you-read-them-outside/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“Rising numbers of children enjoy reading and are increasingly likely to read outside the classroom, a study has found.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rising-numbers-of-children-enjoy-reading-and-are-increasingly-likely/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I do not have much time for relaxation, but when I can, I like to read.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudio-ranieri/i-do-not-have-much-time-for-relaxation-but-when-i-can-i-like-to-read/) [Claudio Ranieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudio-ranieri/) > [I don't like to read books. They muss up my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/i-don-t-like-to-read-books-they-muss-up-my-mind/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [I like to read, and I like dance. I don't dance, but I like to see other people dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esperanza-spalding/i-like-to-read-and-i-like-dance-i-don-t-dance-but-i-like-to-see-other/) [Esperanza Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esperanza-spalding/) > [I know what a good sentence looks like. I read a lot, so I know what reads well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-g/i-know-what-a-good-sentence-looks-like-i-read-a-lot-so-i-know-what/) [Alex G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-g/) > [“I like to read as much as I can from every genre. That way, I can express my love for all writers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-selinsky/i-like-to-read-as-much-as-i-can-from-every-genre-that-way-i-can/) [Jen Selinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-selinsky/) > [I like to read things I've read before. It's like listening over and over to your favorite song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/i-like-to-read-things-i-ve-read-before-it-s-like-listening-over-and/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [I write what I'd like to read and just hope that, along the way, others might like to read them, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-morton/i-write-what-i-d-like-to-read-and-just-hope-that-along-the-way-others/) [Kate Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-morton/) > [I like to read. Autobiographies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-like-to-read-autobiographies/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [I don't like to read long books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tomi-lahren/i-don-t-like-to-read-long-books/) [Tomi Lahren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tomi-lahren/) > [I like to read on the train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-saylor/i-like-to-read-on-the-train/) [Morgan Saylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-saylor/) ## More by Tony Dungy > [We only wanted to pay significant sums to keep truly special players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/we-only-wanted-to-pay-significant-sums-to-keep-truly-special-players/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [They were unwillingly to give 100 percent if they didn't personally think it was important. What you don't understand is the champions know it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/they-were-unwillingly-to-give-100-percent-if-they-didn-t-personally/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [I need to treat everybody fairly, but fair doesn't always mean equal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/i-need-to-treat-everybody-fairly-but-fair-doesn-t-always-mean-equal/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Change isn't always bad; we should always be learning and improving. But the change I was seeing involved principles, not procedures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/change-isn-t-always-bad-we-should-always-be-learning-and-improving/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [We wanted guys who had been productive in college, and we made it a point to pick performance over potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/we-wanted-guys-who-had-been-productive-in-college-and-we-made-it-a/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Hard work and togetherness. They go hand in hand. You need the hard work because it's such a tough atmosphere... to win week in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/hard-work-and-togetherness-they-go-hand-in-hand-you-need-the-hard/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Character is the glue that bonds solid and meaningful relationships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/character-is-the-glue-that-bonds-solid-and-meaningful-relationships/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [As a father of seven kids, and been a kid myself at one point, I realize you don't always make the best decisions every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/as-a-father-of-seven-kids-and-been-a-kid-myself-at-one-point-i/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [What's important is not the uniform or the number, and it's not what team you play for or whether anyone else sees your value;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/what-s-important-is-not-the-uniform-or-the-number-and-it-s-not-what/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Engage, educate, equip, encourage, empower, energize, and elevate. Those are the methods for maximizing the potential of any individual, team, organization, or institution for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/engage-educate-equip-encourage-empower-energize-and-elevate-those-are/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [There are weaknesses that you have to understand and it takes a lot of discipline for the players to be able to play it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/there-are-weaknesses-that-you-have-to-understand-and-it-takes-a-lot/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Integrity is what you do when no one is watching; its doing the right thing all the time, even when it may work to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/integrity-is-what-you-do-when-no-one-is-watching-its-doing-the-right/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [Courage is the ability to do the right thing, all the time, no matter how painful or uncomfortable it might be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/courage-is-the-ability-to-do-the-right-thing-all-the-time-no-matter/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [I would want America to know our kids need us. Spend as much time with your kids as you can. Enjoy them. Be with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/i-would-want-america-to-know-our-kids-need-us-spend-as-much-time-with/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) > [“Without Peyton, there would be no Lucas Oil Stadium. This team would be playing in L.A. right now. I don't understand Jim saying this.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-dungy/without-peyton-there-would-be-no-lucas-oil-stadium-this-team-would-be/) [Tony Dungy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) [Explore all 171 Tony Dungy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-dungy/) ## More Books quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [If I had a dollar for every time I couldn’t sleep, I could buy a billion locks and finally read a book in peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop-rock/if-i-had-a-dollar-for-every-time-i-couldn-t-sleep-i-could-buy-a/) [Aesop Rock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop-rock/) > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/) [Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“Tacitus did not write a most dangerous book. His readers made it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-k-krebs/tacitus-did-not-write-a-most-dangerous-book-his-readers-made-it-so/) [Christopher K. 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There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [I think books in which people are really happy and things are going well are probably the most challenging novels there are to write,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/i-think-books-in-which-people-are-really-happy-and-things-are-going/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [“Be careful about reading health books. Some fine day you'll die of a misprint.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-herz/be-careful-about-reading-health-books-some-fine-day-you-ll-die-of-a/) [Markus Herz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-herz/) > [But editors are still the world's readers. And thus the eyes of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-lerner/but-editors-are-still-the-world-s-readers-and-thus-the-eyes-of-the/) [Betsy Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-lerner/) [Browse all 59,485 Books quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was young, I didn't like to read. 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