---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No course was open to me save to leap…"
description: "\"“No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes self-bound, into the yawning abyss of the future.”\" — William Beckford"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg"
---

#  No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes…

![“No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes self-bound, into the yawning abyss of the future.” quote by William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg)

> ““No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes self-bound, into the yawning abyss of the future.””

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Future is unknown and terrifying; bold leaps are required despite fear.

**In simple terms:** Leap into unknown future.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty, act boldly.

Themes

adventure future fear exploration

Mood

dramatic hopeful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- career change
- creative projects
- travel planning

Key Concepts

existential risk psychology of risk heroic journey

Questions to Reflect On

- What fears hold you back?
- How to assess risks before leaping?

A Different Perspective

Risk can lead to failure.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abyss Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss-future-4784080/) [Bound Yawning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bound-yawning-4784079/) [Eyes Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eyes-self-2757183/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Yawning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yawning/) [Yawning Abyss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yawning-abyss-4784078/)

## Related quotes

> [Art is what remains of religion: the dance above the yawning abyss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/art-is-what-remains-of-religion-the-dance-above-the-yawning-abyss/)

[Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/)

> [Bitch! I'l Fuckig find you! I'll tear your eyes out of your self rightious face!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asking-alexandria/bitch-i-l-fuckig-find-you-i-ll-tear-your-eyes-out-of-your-self/)

[Asking Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asking-alexandria/)

> [“One look into your beautiful eyes, and my self-loathing soul felt envy. I had become vulnerable that instant...helpless, wanting, hating, resenting, loathing...” -Nina Jean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-jean-slack/one-look-into-your-beautiful-eyes-and-my-self-loathing-soul-felt-envy/)

[Nina Jean Slack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-jean-slack/)

> [The eyes that see the soul are different from the eyes that see the self. We see soul when we are in the mystery.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julio-olalla/the-eyes-that-see-the-soul-are-different-from-the-eyes-that-see-the/)

[Julio Olalla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julio-olalla/)

> [As long as you cling to your self, you will wander right and left, day and night, for thousands of years; and when, after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanai/as-long-as-you-cling-to-your-self-you-will-wander-right-and-left-day/)

[Sanai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanai/)

> [What of it? If I die, I die. It will be no great loss to the world, and I am thoroughly bored with life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-lermontov/what-of-it-if-i-die-i-die-it-will-be-no-great-loss-to-the-world-and-i/)

[Mikhail Lermontov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-lermontov/)

> [Subtly, in the little ways, joy has been leaking out of our lives. The small pleasures of the ordinary day seem almost contemptible, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-holland/subtly-in-the-little-ways-joy-has-been-leaking-out-of-our-lives-the/)

[Barbara Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-holland/)

> [Wimbledon is the world's most boring tournament. There's hardly anything to do apart from tennis. You constantly find yourself yawning - there's no entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolay-davydenko/wimbledon-is-the-world-s-most-boring-tournament-there-s-hardly/)

[Nikolay Davydenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolay-davydenko/)

> [Because the only people for me are the mad ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/because-the-only-people-for-me-are-the-mad-ones/)

[Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/)

> [Now small fowls flew screaming over the yet yawning gulf; a sullen white surf beat against its steep sides; then all collapsed; and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-small-fowls-flew-screaming-over-the-yet-yawning-gulf-a-sullen/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There is no yawning gulf between man and God. Through his aspiration and meditation, Man can become conscious of his oneness with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/there-is-no-yawning-gulf-between-man-and-god-through-his-aspiration/)

[Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/)

> [No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-ever-told-me-that-grief-felt-so-like-fear-i-am-not-afraid-but/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Yawning Is your body's way of saying 20% battery remaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/yawning-is-your-body-s-way-of-saying-20-battery-remaining/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [I consider conversations with people to be mind exercises, but I don't want to pull a muscle, so I stretch a lot. That's why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-consider-conversations-with-people-to-be-mind-exercises-but-i-don-t/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/)

[Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/)

## More by William Beckford

> [“If she knew me as I really am she would despise me, and certainly not aid or abet my evil designs. To veil their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/if-she-knew-me-as-i-really-am-she-would-despise-me-and-certainly-not/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“Mine was still the stronger side. I was beloved by the soldiery, who generally care very little what god they serve so long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/mine-was-still-the-stronger-side-i-was-beloved-by-the-soldiery-who/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“A fish might more easily live on the apex of a rock than a man accustomed to crime live a life of virtue. (“The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/a-fish-might-more-easily-live-on-the-apex-of-a-rock-than-a-man/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“It is a great evil to look upon mankind with too clear vision. You seem to be living among wild beasts, and you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/it-is-a-great-evil-to-look-upon-mankind-with-too-clear-vision-you/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“At these words, the fathers of the fifty boys cried out aloud; the mothers repeated their exclamations an octave higher; whilst the rest, without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/at-these-words-the-fathers-of-the-fifty-boys-cried-out-aloud-the/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“It is time, therefore, that you should apply for aid to such helpful Spirits. But will you have the strength of mind, the courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/it-is-time-therefore-that-you-should-apply-for-aid-to-such-helpful/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“Shortly after we were in bed I began my story, but made it so absurd, so long, and so tiresome, that, as my intention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/shortly-after-we-were-in-bed-i-began-my-story-but-made-it-so-absurd/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“If you seem to be happy in this place of solitude, you will acquire a great reputation for wisdom, and I know, by my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/if-you-seem-to-be-happy-in-this-place-of-solitude-you-will-acquire-a/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“My father,' I replied, 'I am fond of action. I like to succour the afflicted, and make people happy. Command that there be built…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/my-father-i-replied-i-am-fond-of-action-i-like-to-succour-the/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“The Climber did not interfere. He praised the education I had received, and approved greatly of our immersions, just after birth, by the Sages,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/the-climber-did-not-interfere-he-praised-the-education-i-had-received/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“..parasites seldom altogether abandon a monarch so long as the crown still glitters on his head. (“The Story of Prince Alasi and the Princess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/parasites-seldom-altogether-abandon-a-monarch-so-long-as-the-crown/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

> [“Persecution produced its ordinary effect. The people courted martyrdom. They came from all parts to deride Zouloulou, whom nothing disconcerted - and to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/persecution-produced-its-ordinary-effect-the-people-courted-martyrdom/)

[William Beckford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

[Explore all 13 William Beckford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/)

## More Future quotes

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/)

[Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/)

[William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/)

> [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [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/)

> [When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-allen/when-i-was-17-i-broke-up-with-my-future-wife/)

[Kris Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-allen/)

> [I think everybody in the future has stopped talking to each other and we all just use emojis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-think-everybody-in-the-future-has-stopped-talking-to-each-other-and/)

[Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/)

> [When you continue to dwell on the past, there's no chance for a future. History repeats itself, thus, it's ok to LOOK back at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-continue-to-dwell-on-the-past-there-s-no-chance-for-a-future/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/)

[John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/)

> [Starting a new job can be nerve-racking , but it's also exciting. You're embarking on a new future, positioning yourself to write a fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/starting-a-new-job-can-be-nerve-racking-but-it-s-also-exciting-you-re/)

[Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/)

[Browse all 12,349 Future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes self-bound, into the yawning abyss of the future.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Beckford"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-with-eyes-self-bound-into-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Future"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-with-eyes-self-bound-into-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/99c/william-beckford-34468_future_no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-wi_3004091.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“No course was open to me save to leap, with eyes self-bound, into the yawning abyss of the future.” — William Beckford",
                "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": "William Beckford",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-beckford/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“No course was open to me...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-with-eyes-self-bound-into-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-beckford/no-course-was-open-to-me-save-to-leap-with-eyes-self-bound-into-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
