You can't fly your way into flying.

What it means

To fly someday you first have to learn to stand, walk, run, climb and dance. There are no shortcuts to the big skills. Do the basics.

The source

"You can't fly your way into flying." Nietzsche said it in Thus Spoke Zarathustra 3, On the Spirit of Gravity 2. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"wer einst fliegen lernen will, der muss erst stehn und gehn und laufen und klettern und tanzen lernen:—man erfliegt das Fliegen nicht"

Original German, Thus Spoke Zarathustra 3, On the Spirit of Gravity 2. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Nietzsche (1844–1900). German philosopher who wrote Thus Spoke Zarathustra and philosophized with a hammer. He asked people to say yes to life, hardship and all.

Questions

What does "You can't fly your way into flying." mean?

To fly someday you first have to learn to stand, walk, run, climb and dance. There are no shortcuts to the big skills. Do the basics.

Who said "You can't fly your way into flying."?

Nietzsche (1844–1900). Source: Thus Spoke Zarathustra 3, On the Spirit of Gravity 2.

What is the original German?

wer einst fliegen lernen will, der muss erst stehn und gehn und laufen und klettern und tanzen lernen:—man erfliegt das Fliegen nicht. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "You can't fly your way into flying." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"You can't fly your way into flying." (Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra 3, On the Spirit of Gravity 2, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/you-cant-fly-your-way-into-flying