QuoteProject
How often it is that a small action becomes great by its intention. And how often it is that a great action becomes small by its intention.
Abdullah Ibn Mubarak
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The intent behind our actions can elevate or diminish their significance.

This quote highlights the importance of intention behind our actions, suggesting that a seemingly small deed can have a profound impact when done with genuine purpose, while a grand gesture may lose its value if lacking sincere intent. It reminds us to consider the motivations behind our actions, as they define the true worth of what we do.

Themes

IntentionActionSignificancePurposeMeaning

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote in a motivational speech about the importance of meaningful actions.

More from Abdullah Ibn Mubarak

O man! Prepare yourself for the Hereafter, obey Allah to the extent of your need for Him and anger Him to the extent of your patience in Hell.
Abdullah Ibn MubarakRead
I love the saliheen (pious people) even though I’m not one of them, and I hate the taliheen (evil people) even though I (may be) worse than them.
Abdullah Ibn MubarakRead
The beginning of knowledge is the intention, then listening, then understanding, then action, then preservation, and then spreading it.
Abdullah Ibn MubarakRead

Similar quotes

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are
Kurt CobainRead
Will God ever ask you to do something you are not able to do? The answer is yes--all the time! It must be that way, for God's glory and kingdom. If we function according to our ability alone, we get the glory; if we function according to the power of the Spirit within us, God gets the glory. He wants to reveal Himself to a watching world.
Henry BlackabyRead
You used to be much more..."muchier." You've lost your muchness.
Lewis CarrollRead
Every time man makes a new experiment he always learns more. He cannot learn less.
R. Buckminster FullerRead
Be not merely good. Be good for something.
Henry David ThoreauRead
Spiritual maturity is not reached by the passing of the years, but by obedience to the will of God.
Oswald ChambersRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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