If you want to use the roads to Rome example, I'm sure there are some roads that have lots of pot holes. I guess you technically still get there, but there are easier roads that are quicker and safer.
But what is good for one person may not be good for another, for any number of possible reasons: skill, risk tolerance, desired outcome, geography, age, health, support from family and friends, blah, blah, etc. etc.
In the end, all I can say, is that if you consider building software to be a bad route for you, then don't do it. shrug