Solitude is not the same as loneliness. Solitude is a solitary boat floating in a sea of possible companions.
Robert FulghumRead
I do not want to know what you will hope for. I want to know what you will work for. I do not want your sympathy for the needs of humanity. I want your muscle. As the wagon driver said when they came to a long, hard hill: ‘Them that’s going on with us, get out and push. Them that ain’t, get out of the way’.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of action over mere hope and sympathy in achieving goals.
Robert Fulghum's quote highlights the need for tangible effort and commitment rather than passive sentiments. He encourages individuals to take an active role in working towards shared goals instead of just expressing concern or wishing for change, comparing the necessity of participation to a wagon driver urging others to push when faced with challenges.
Themes
ActionEffortResponsibilityParticipationMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about teamwork, you can use this quote to inspire participants to take active roles.
More from Robert Fulghum
All quotes →If dandelions were rare and fragile, people would knock themselves out to pay $14.95 a plant, raise them by hand in greenhouses, and form dandelion societies and all that. But, they are everywhere and don't need us and kind of do what they please. So we call them weeds and murder them at every opportunity
Robert FulghumRead
We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness — and call it love — true love.
Robert FulghumRead
Peace is not something you wish for, it's something you make
Robert FulghumRead
Doing a straight-forward, clear-cut task that has a beginning and an end balances out the complexity-without-end that often vexes the rest of my life. Sacred simplicity.
Robert FulghumRead
The grass is not, in fact, always greener on the other side of the fence. No, not at all. Fences have nothing to do with it. The grass is greenest where it is watered. When crossing over fences, carry water with you and tend the grass wherever you may be.
Robert FulghumRead
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