The Quotation IndexThe trusted reference for quotations and the sources behind them
Tag Tag Action
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
W. H. Murray The Scottish Himalayan Expedition · 1951

Quotes

“Think in the morning, act in the noon, eat in the evening, sleep in the night.”

William Blake · The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, 1790 · Primary source

“All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This I did.”

T. E. Lawrence · Seven Pillars of Wisdom, 1926 · Primary source

“A life which does not go into action is a failure.”

Arnold J. Toynbee · A Study of History, 1934-1961 · Primary source

“The maxim Nothing avails but perfection may be spelt shorter: Paralysis.”

Winston Churchill · The Second World War, 1948-1953 · Primary source

“I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

Ian Fleming · You Only Live Twice, 1964 · Primary source

“The law of nature is, do the thing, and you shall have the power: but they who do not the thing have not the power.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Compensation, 1841 · Primary source

“If you’re pre-product market fit, the best advice that I have from that period is action produces information. So just like keep doing stuff.”

Brian Armstrong · Brian Armstrong: Coinbase, Cryptocurrency, and Government Regulation, 2022 · Primary source

“None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“One today is worth two tomorrows.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Well done is better than well said.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“You may delay, but time will not.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“The cat in gloves catches no mice.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“It is better to be making the news than taking it; to be an actor rather than a critic.”

Winston Churchill · The Story of the Malakand Field Force, 1898 · Primary source

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt · The Strenuous Life, 1900 · Primary source

“I am a poet in deeds—not often in words.”

Ian Fleming · Goldfinger, 1959 · Primary source

“Character is higher than intellect.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · The American Scholar, 1837 · Primary source

“The one thing in the world of value is the active soul.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · The American Scholar, 1837 · Primary source

“He who has put forth his total strength in fit actions has the richest return of wisdom.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · The American Scholar, 1837 · Primary source

“Life wastes itself while we are preparing to live.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Prudence, 1841 · Primary source

“Our spontaneous action is always the best.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Intellect, 1841 · Primary source

“The most effective way to do it is to do it.”

Amelia Earhart · No reliable source

Related Tags

Self-reliance 49 Decision-making 35 Purpose 31 Mortality 30 Experience 30 Risk 29 Independence 29 Responsibility 27 Courage 25 Initiative 21 Time 20 Character 20 Integrity 19 Effort 18 Commitment 17 Industry 17 Ambition 17 Imagination 16 Diligence 15 Opportunity 15 Achievement 15 Execution 13 Preparation 13 Failure 12 Conduct 11 Agency 10 Criticism 10 Human potential 10 Reflection 10 Procrastination 9 Experimentation 9 Time management 8 Wisdom 7 Intuition 7 Self-trust 7 Example 6 Acceptance 6 Capability 6 Delay 5 Personal agency 5 Instinct 5 Follow-through 4 Caution 4 Intellect 4 Practical knowledge 4 Practice 4 Present moment 4 Balance 4 Effectiveness 3 Pragmatism 3 Routine 3 Decision 2 Creation 2 Decisiveness 2 Results 2 Practicality 2 Learning by doing 2 Startups 2 Practical effort 1 Present 1 Participation 1 Perfectionism 1 Self-expression 1 Pattern 1 Spontaneity 1 Daily rhythm 1 Vision 1 Product-market fit 1