Context

This line is from the book Oh, the Places You'll Go! , written by Dr. Seuss (1990).

For some arbitrary reason, this quote is a part of almost every dorm room, library, and daycare center, along with the rough drafts of commencement speeches all across the world. Probably because it's just so darn cheery, and compares the terror of graduating school and entering the real world to simple games.

But there's actually some solid advice about choosing a life path in this famous Seuss book. A little after this quote, our unnamed hero stumbles upon a "not-so-good street" and the narrator says there may not be "any" good streets for him in this situation. It's a moment of stark reality in a happy book, but also helpful because in reality, life happens. You might have to turn around or take a roundabout path.

In cutesy terms, it's saying that it's okay if you don't follow the life path you thought you were destined for since birth. Dr. Seuss wanted to be an English professor, but we got adorable characters who speak in rhyme instead. And you know what? We're sure glad we did.

Where you've heard it

If you've been to any kind of graduation for high school, college, or even middle school students, you've probably heard one of the speakers quote this line. It's also an omnipresent part of graduation party-themed Pinterest boards.

According to this Slate opinion piece, Oh, the Places You''ll Go! is the biggest selling book for graduates, but not so helpful. There's no denying it's vague, but if you want serious answers, should you really be turning to Seuss?

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

This quote isn't really pretentious, but it is a bit cliché.