QuoteProject
Many of her thoughts were perfect syllogisms; unluckily they always remained thoughts. Only a few were irrational assumptions; but, unfortunately, they were the ones which most frequently grew into deeds
Thomas Hardy
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects the struggle between thought and action, highlighting that while some ideas are logical, they often remain unacted upon.

In this quote, Thomas Hardy suggests that while many of a person's thoughts may be logical and coherent, they often do not translate into action, leading to missed opportunities. Conversely, it is the illogical or irrational assumptions that tend to manifest into real actions or deeds, though this irony poses a dilemma about the nature of thought versus action in our lives.

Themes

ThoughtsActionsDeedsPhilosophyLogicAssumptions

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational seminar, referencing how many great ideas remain just ideas can inspire attendees to take action.

More from Thomas Hardy

Everybody must be managed. Queens must be managed. Kings must be managed, for men want managing almost as much as women, and that's saying a good deal.
Thomas HardyRead
Because what's the use of learning that I am one of a long row only - finding out that there is set down in some old book somebody just like me, and to know that I shall only act her part; making me sad, that's all. The best is not to remember your nature and your past doings have been just like thousands' and thousands', and that your coming life and doings'll be like thousands' and thousands'.
Thomas HardyRead
But nothing is more insidious than the evolution of wishes from mere fancies, and of wants from mere wishes.
Thomas HardyRead
I wish I had never been born--there or anywhere else.
Thomas HardyRead
Her affection for him was now the breath and life of Tess's being; it enveloped her as a photosphere, irradiated her into forgetfulness of her past sorrows, keeping back the gloomy spectres that would persist in their attempts to touch herβ€”doubt, fear, moodiness, care, shame. She knew that they were waiting like wolves just outside the circumscribing light, but she had long spells of power to keep them in hungry subjection there.
Thomas HardyRead
The trees have inquisitive eyes, haven't they? -that is, seem as if they had. And the river says,-'Why do ye trouble me with your looks?' And you seem to see numbers of to-morrows just all in a line, the first of them the biggest and clearest, the others getting smaller and smaller as they stand further away; but they all seem very fierce and cruel and as if they said, 'I'm coming! Beware of me! Beware of me!
Thomas HardyRead

Similar quotes

The world without spirit is a wasteland. People have the notion of saving the world by shifting things around, changing the rules, and who's on top, and so forth. No, no! Any world is a valid world if it's alive. The thing to do is to bring life to it, and the only way to do that is to find in your own case where the life is and become alive yourself.
Joseph CampbellRead
If we live good lives, the times are also good. As we are, such are the times.
Saint AugustineRead
Yes, hope is a strange thing. Peace at last. But at what price?
Khaled HosseiniRead
For every crime that comes before him, a judge is required to complete a perfect syllogism in which the major premise must be the general law; the minor, the action that conforms or does not conform to the law; and the conclusion, acquittal or punishment. If the judge were constrained, or if he desired to frame even a single additional syllogism, the door would thereby be opened to uncertainty.
Cesare BeccariaRead
Books say: she did this because. Life says: she did this. Books are where things are explained to you, life where things aren't.
Julian BarnesRead
If we are not to abandon values such as peace and equality, or our commitments to science and truth, then we must pry these values away from claims about our psychological makeup that are vulnerable to being proven false.
Steven PinkerRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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