Variant: The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.
“One if the hardest things in life to learn are which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.”
“The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.”
“And then what?"
"I'll burn that bridge when I cross it.”
Source: Magic Bites
Song lyrics, Singles and rarities
The Fresno Bee interview (2015)
Context: I’ve always liked working on stories that combine people who are relatable with something insane. … The most exciting thing for me is crossing that bridge between something we know is real and something that is extraordinary. The thing for me has always been how you cross that bridge.
“Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.”
"Prayer For The Dying"
Seal (1994)
Context: Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
Life carries on... it goes on.
“I decided not to cross any bridges I had burned behind me.”
Source: Time for the Stars (1956), Chapter 7, “19,900 Ways” (p. 69)
Niemand kann dir die Brücke bauen, auf der gerade du über den Fluß des Lebens schreiten mußt, niemand außer dir allein.
“Schopenhauer as educator,” § 3.1, R. Hollingdale, trans. (1983), p. 129
Untimely Meditations (1876)
“Sometimes in life you have to do the hardest things to get somewhere—to change your life.”
Source: Water Street (2006), Chapters 11-20, p. 87; spoken by Mr. Mallon
