The Only Way Out Is Through
This simple phrase holds immense power. It speaks to a universal truth we all face during difficult times. When confronted with an obstacle, our first instinct might be to go around it, avoid it, or turn back. However, this saying suggests a different path. It champions the idea of confronting challenges directly. Many people attribute this profound wisdom to the celebrated American poet Robert Frost. While he played a crucial role in its popularity, the phrase’s journey began decades earlier in a period of significant global turmoil.
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The Poet Who Made It Famous
Robert Frost | Academy of American Poets certainly gave the phrase its most famous literary home. In his 1914 poetry collection, “North of Boston,” he embedded it within the poem “A Servant To Servants.” The poem’s narrator, a weary woman, reflects on her struggles and shares a piece of advice. She recalls her husband saying, “the best way out is always through.” She then agrees with this sentiment, adding her own perspective. This inclusion by a literary giant helped the phrase permeate American culture. Consequently, Frost’s name became inextricably linked with the saying for generations of readers.
His masterful use of the expression captured a sense of stoic New England resilience. It transformed a piece of advice into a profound philosophical statement. Indeed, many subsequent publications and speakers credited Frost for coining it. For example, a 1943 book, “Thesaurus of Epigrams,” formally listed the phrase under his name, solidifying the attribution in the public mind . Source
Uncovering the True Origins
However, to find the phrase’s real beginning, we must travel back further in time. The earliest known appearance dates to 1870. It appeared in a Harper’s Weekly article discussing the political crisis in France after the Franco-Prussian War. The author analyzed the difficult situation and argued for forward progress instead of retreat. The article stated that for France to regenerate, it had to understand that “the only way out is through, not back.” This original context was deeply political, focusing on national recovery from conflict.
Subsequent research identified the author as George William Curtis, a prominent essayist of the era. Therefore, Curtis is the most credible originator of this enduring piece of wisdom. This discovery shows that the phrase was born not from poetic reflection but from sharp political analysis during a time of national crisis. It was a call for courage and a refusal to retreat into the past.
. George William Curtis | American author and editor
A Rallying Cry for a World at War
The phrase’s relevance only grew in the following decades. During World War I, its usage surged across various publications. People needed powerful messages of resolve, and this saying fit perfectly. For instance, a 1918 article in the Advocate of Peace declared, “This war is a fact… The only way out is through.” This application framed the conflict as an unavoidable challenge that demanded direct confrontation. It became a motto for national determination.
Furthermore, leaders in different fields adopted the phrase to inspire action. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, David F. Houston, used it in a 1918 speech about wartime food production challenges. He emphasized that there was no easy escape from the grim business of supporting the war effort. This practical use demonstrates the saying’s incredible versatility. It moved from political commentary to a mantra for any significant and difficult undertaking, proving its universal appeal.
From Politics to Popular Wisdom
After the war, the phrase continued its evolution. It shifted from a serious political and social statement to a piece of accessible folk wisdom. Journalist Strickland Gillilan captured this transition perfectly in a 1922 poem titled “The Only Way Out Is Through.” His poem celebrated an everyday worker who tackles every job head-on, never thinking of going around or turning back. This creative work helped cement the phrase as a core tenet of the American work ethic.
This transformation highlights how powerful ideas adapt over time. What began as a specific commentary on French politics became a universal motto for perseverance. It now applies to personal struggles, professional challenges, and emotional healing. Its simple, direct message resonates because it offers a clear, albeit difficult, path forward when we feel stuck. Strickland Gillilan | American journalist and humorist
Today, the saying continues to inspire. It is frequently used in therapy, coaching, and leadership. Some even attribute it to the Navy SEALs, linking it to extreme mental and physical toughness. This modern association reinforces its core message: true strength is found not in avoidance but in facing adversity with courage and resolve. The journey of this phrase from a political journal to a universal mantra shows that some truths are timeless. Facing our problems is, and always will be, the only way to overcome them.