So perhaps the best thing to do is to stop writing Introductions and get on with the book.
Interpretation
Focus on the task at hand rather than getting distracted by unnecessary details.
In this quote, A. A. Milne suggests that often the most effective approach is to bypass excessive preliminary setup or introductions and dive directly into the main content. This encourages taking action and valuing substance over formality, implying that sometimes it's best to proceed with what truly matters rather than getting bogged down in how things begin.
In practice
In a seminar about productivity, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of starting projects without getting caught up in planning.
And how are you?" said Winnie-the-Pooh. Eeyore shook his head from side to side. "Not very how," he said. "I don't seem to have felt at all how for a long time." "Dear, dear," said Pooh, "I'm sorry about that. Let's have a look at you.
Piglet was so excited at the idea of being Useful that he forgot to be frightened any more, and when Rabbit went on to say that Kangas were only Fierce during the winter months, being at other times of an Affectionate Disposition, he could hardly sit still, he was so eager to begin being useful at once.
Time is swift, it races by; Opportunities are born and die... Still you wait and will not try - A bird with wings who dares not rise and fly.
Did I miss?" you asked. "You didn't exactly miss," said Pooh, "But you missed the balloon." "I'm so sorry," you said, and you fired again, and this time you hit the balloon and the air came slowly out, and Winnie-the-Pooh floated down to the ground.
Come, come, come. Without a monster or two it's not a quest, merely a gaggle of friends wandering about.
Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting thing to have.
Forgiveness is a gift to myself. I forgive, and I set myself free.
Complaining begets more complaints. Anger begets more anger. And optimism begets more optimism.
I have crossed over to a place where I never thought Iβd be. I am someone I would have never imagined. A secret. A dream. I am this, body and soul. Burn me. Drown me. Tell me lies. I will still be who I am.
Writing improves in direct ratio to the things we can keep out of it that shouldn't be there.
Now, blessings light on him that first invented sleep!Γ It covers a man all over, thoughts and all, like a cloak; it is meat for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, heat for the cold, and cold for the hot.Γ It is the current coin that purchases all the pleasures of the world cheap, and the balance that sets the king and the shepherd, the fool and the wise man, even.
We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.