QuoteProject
We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.
Abigail Adams
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Words alone are insufficient without corresponding actions.

Abigail Adams' quote highlights the disconnect often found between what people say and what they actually do. It emphasizes the importance of taking meaningful action rather than merely using grandiose language, pointing out that true integrity and effectiveness lie in aligning our words with our deeds.

Themes

ActionsWordsIntegrityDeeds

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about integrity in leadership.

More from Abigail Adams

If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice, or representation.
Abigail AdamsRead
Great difficulties may be surmounted by patience and perseverance.
Abigail AdamsRead
If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind whom should we serve?
Abigail AdamsRead
I begin to think, that a calm is not desirable in any situation in life. Man was made for action and for bustle too, I believe.
Abigail AdamsRead
The habits of a vigorous mind are born in contending with difficulties.
Abigail AdamsRead
Well, knowledge is a fine thing, and mother Eve thought so; but she smarted so severely for hers, that most of her daughters have been afraid of it since.
Abigail AdamsRead

Similar quotes

One’s objective should be to get it right, get it quick, get it out and get it over. Your problem won’t improve with age.
Warren BuffettRead
Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.
Harper LeeRead
Patience doesn't mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that's unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with.
Sharon SalzbergRead
Small people delight in what they call consistency-that is, it gives them immense pleasure to say that they believe now exactly as they did ten years ago. This simply amounts to a certificate that they have not grown-that they have not developed-and that they know just as little now as they ever did. The highest possible conception of consistency is to be true to the knowledge of today, without the slightest reference to what your opinion was years ago.
Robert Green IngersollRead
If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a big mistake.
Frank WilczekRead
You should not be carried away by the dictation of the mind, but the mind should be carried by your dictation.
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami PrabhupadaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.