44 Burning Bridges Quotes To Illuminate Your Future

Fire is one of humankind's greatest discoveries and resources. We can use it for so many basic needs, such as cooking, keeping warm, lighting, and, if need be, burning down that which causes us harm — metaphorically. Read the quotes below to put your inner fire to good use.

Fire symbolizes power, endings, and new beginnings, so the phrase 'burning bridges' elicits a sense of vigor. However, because of this statement's weight and the possible ensuing actions, we should approach it with caution.

Burning one's bridges is a huge decision, meaning we can permanently let go of situations or people in our lives. This can leave us lost or empowered. Read the quotes below to learn more about burning bridges when appropriate and finding the courage and fire within ourselves to light that match if we so choose.

Cliff Townsend’s quote: "I will burn all bridges behind me and stake my entire future on my ability to get what I want." | Image: AmoDays

Quotes on Burning Bridges to Bet on Your Future

"The path to freedom is illuminated by the bridges you have burned." — Fridtjof Nansen

"If the bridge to your past is burned behind you, then you have no choice but to travel the path into a successful future." — John Di Lemme

"With every bridge that burns, a new path is opened for the way your destiny is to be shaped." — Terry Perkins

"It makes no difference if I burn my bridges behind me―I never retreat." — Fiorello LaGuardia

"I will burn all bridges behind me and stake my entire future on my ability to get what I want." — Cliff Townsend

Fridtjof Nansen’s quote: "I demolish my bridges behind me―then there is no choice but to move forward." | Image: AmoDays

"The act of burning one's bridges is historically an expression used to signify staking everything on the success of one venture or another, usually battle." – Jerald Ford

"Any bridge to the past that refuses to burn just gives the enemy an invitation and an entry point back into your life." — Femi Olorunnisola

"I demolish my bridges behind me―then there is no choice but to move forward." — Fridtjof Nansen

"You must believe that the bridge was burned so you can find a new way to go to find the destiny that you were meant to follow." — Terry Perkins

Fiery Quotes about Burning Bridges

"Building walls, burning bridges." — Roger Zea

Erin Van Vuren’s quote: "I won't just burn bridges anymore; I'll destroy portals between worlds. You are not allowed near me if all you carry is toxicity." | Image: AmoDays

"Stop telling me not to burn bridges. Some bridges are meant to be burned; some roads are never meant to be traveled again." — Steve Maraboli

"The problem is he didn't just burn his bridges when he left New York, he blew them up." — Lauren Beukes

"We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered." — Tom Stoppard

"I won't just burn bridges anymore; I'll destroy portals between worlds. You are not allowed near me if all you carry is toxicity." — Erin Van Vuren

"It's one thing if a person owns up to their behavior and makes an effort to change. But if a person disregards your feelings, ignores your boundaries, and continues to treat you in a harmful way, they need to go." — Daniell Koepke

Dorothy Parker’s quote: "My land is bare of chattering folk; the clouds are low along the ridges, and sweet's the air with curly smoke from all my burning bridges." | Image: AmoDays

"Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy." — Robert Tew

"Yes, burn your bridges." — Bette Davis

"And we're burning all the bridges now / Cause it was sink or swim, and I went down, down, down." — Casey Michael Laforet

"My land is bare of chattering folk; the clouds are low along the ridges, and sweet's the air with curly smoke from all my burning bridges." — Dorothy Parker

Spicy Quotes about Burning Bridges

"The only way you can write is by the light of the bridges burning behind you." — Richard Peck

Dylan Thomas’ quote: "When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." | Image: AmoDays

"Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge." — Don Henley

"Never burn a bridge unless your foe is on it, captain." — Phil Foglio

"Burn your bridges every two years." — Carlos Castaneda

"I've been burning bridges all day; I think I'll just knock this one down." — Chris Soares

"When one burns one's bridges, what a very nice fire it makes." — Dylan Thomas

Quotes to Provide a Fair Warning of Fire

John Michael Morgan’s quote: "You never know when a relationship will come in handy, so be cautious about burning bridges." | Image: AmoDays

"You don't want to burn bridges or make people angry. Building a career is all about creating relationships." — Ricki Frankel

"We should think seriously before we slam doors, before we burn bridges, before we saw off the limb on which we find ourselves sitting." — Richard L. Evans

"Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river." — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"Never burn bridges. If it's a faulty bridge, then close it off and let it fall on its own." — Gregor Collins

"I never wanted to set the world on fire. So I never had to burn any bridges behind me." — Dinah Shore

Ricki Frankel's quote: You don't want to burn bridges or make people angry. Building a career is all about creating relationships." | Image: AmoDays

"You never know when a relationship will come in handy, so be cautious about burning bridges." — John Michael Morgan

Wise Quotes about Burning Bridges

"Never burn your bridges till you come to them." — Clayton Rawson

"Mend fences, build bridges, forgive trespasses, grieve losses and let toxic grudges go. Then move on." — Unicahija Tamano Mike Davidson

"Many of us are guilty of burning our bridges before we cross them." — John H. Hayes

"It's all about people. It's about networking and being nice to people and not burning any bridges." — Mike Davidson

Jim Croce’s quote: "Bridges are meant for burning when the people and memories they join aren't the same." | Image: AmoDays

"You know, the thing about burned bridges is, they can be rebuilt." — Tim Kring

"Sometimes the bridges you burn light the way out of your darkness, but the memory of the blaze will be burned into your heart and mind forever." — Shannon L. Alder

"Remove yourself from people who treat you like your time doesn't matter, like your feelings are worthless, or like your soul is replaceable." — S Mcnutt.

"Letting go doesn't mean that you don't care about someone anymore. It's just realizing that the only person you really have control over is yourself." — Deborah Reber

Tim Kring’s quote: "You know, the thing about burned bridges is, they can be rebuilt." | Image: AmoDays

"The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn." — David Russell

"We should fight for our relationships, but if fighting means ripping yourself to shreds and piggybacking all his demons, you need to leave." — Tara Love

"Bridges are meant for burning when the people and memories they join aren't the same." — Jim Croce

"Burning bridges is an expression used to warn you that if you treat a person like [they] don't matter to you, that person might decide not to help you in the future." — Eric Stanberry Jr.

David Russell's quote: "The hardest thing in life to learn is which bridge to cross and which to burn." | Image: AmoDays

Whether we use our inner flame to fight for what we have or to move on for good, it's helpful to remember that it's a powerful tool, and so we should always use it wisely.

Once that bridge is burnt, you may never be able to cross it again except to build a new one or swim across a raging river — tasks that are near impossible without great determination. That being said, sometimes we need to cut people and situations out of our lives for good, only to leave smoke billowing behind us.

If you don't want to burn bridges but instead use your inner power to fight for someone special, read these quotes on intimacy and seduction to help the fire burning in your relationship or marriage.