Quotes on Action

There is nothing the wise man does reluctantly.

I agree with your remark about loving your enemy as far as actions are concerned. But for me the cognitive basis is the trust in an unrestricted causality. 'I cannot hate him, because he must do what he does.' That means for me more Spinoza than the prophets.

If you really want to judge the character of a man, look not at his great performances. Watch a man do his most common actions.

An important aspect of self-compassion is to be able to empathically hold both parts of ourselves-the self that regrets a past action and the self that took the action in the first place.

Vision animates, inspires, transforms purpose into action.

Asking the proper questions is the central action of transformation. Questions are the key that causes the secret doors of the psyche to swing open.

You are like a candle. Imagine you are sending light out all around you. All your words, thoughts and actions are going in many directions. If you say something kind, your kind words go in many directions, and you yourself go with them. We are ...transforming and continuing in a different form at every moment.

Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.

We judge ourselves by our intentions. And others by their actions.

Without respect, the subtle alchemy that binds an organization or that serves as the impetus for a business transaction would dissolve into mutual suspicion and hostility.

We must care to think about the unthinkable things, because when things become unthinkable, thinking stops and action becomes mindless.

Personal power is the ability to take action.

Simplicity, patience, compassion._x000D_ _x000D_ These three are your greatest treasures._x000D_ _x000D_ Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being._x000D_ _x000D_ Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are._x000D_ _x000D_ Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.

Men do not value a good deed_x000D_ _x000D_ unless it brings a reward.

The only thing that really matters is that there be an action of goodness, love and intelligence in living. Is goodness individual or collective, is love personal or impersonal, is intelligence yours, mine or somebody else? If it is yours or mine then it is not intelligence, or love, or goodness. If goodness is an affair of the individual or of the collective, according to one's particular preference or decision, then it is no longer goodness.

The fear of speculation, the ostensible rush from the theoretical to the practical, brings about the same shallowness in action that it does in knowledge. It is by studying a strictly theoretical philosophy that we become most acquainted with Ideas, and only Ideas provide action with vigour and ethical meaning.

Wouldst thou know thyself, observe the actions of others._x000D_ _x000D_ Wouldst thou other men know, look thou within thine own heart.

Whoever acquires knowledge but does not practice it is as one who ploughs but does not sow.

To me an unnecessary action, or shot, or casualty, was not only waste but sin.

This, and this alone, is Christianity, a universal holiness in every part of life, a heavenly wisdom in all our actions, not conforming to the spirit and temper of the world but turning all worldly enjoyments into means of piety and devotion to God.

Action without thought is mindlessness, and thought without action is hypocritical.