Quotes About Action

Don't stray, but do what's right whenever you're moved to act, and stick with what's clear and certain whenever you think.

No obres como quien ha de vivir diez mil años. Lo irreparable está ya suspendido encima de ti. Mientras vives, mientras es aún posible, sé hombre de bien.

if in every particular action thou dost perform what is fitting to the utmost of thy power, let it suffice thee. And who can hinder thee, but that thou mayest perform what is fitting? But there may be some outward let and impediment. Not any, that can hinder thee, but that whatsoever thou dost, thou may do it, justly, temperately, and with the praise of God.

I have to go to work—as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I'm going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?

For what hurt can it be unto thee whatsoever any man else doth, as long as thou mayest do that which is proper and suitable to thine own nature?

When thou art hard to be stirred up and awaked out of thy sleep, admonish thyself and call to mind, that, to perform actions tending to the common good is that which thine own proper constitution, and that which the nature of man do require. But to sleep, is common to unreasonable creatures also. And what more proper and natural, yea what more kind and pleasing, than that which is according to nature?

No actues en la idea de que vas a vivir diez mil años. La necesidad ineludible pende sobre ti. Mientras vives, mientras es posible, se virtuoso.

If it's in your control, why do you do it? If it's in someone else's, then who are you blaming? Atoms? The gods? Stupid either way. Blame no one. Set people straight, if you can. If not, just repair the damage. And suppose you can't do that either. Then where does blaming people get you? No pointless actions.

Que seja uma só a sua vontade: a de algo realizar, ou se abster, segundo determina a sua razão de ente integrado à sociedade.

Now it is in our power, not to print them; and if they creep in and lurk in some corner, it is in our power to wipe them off.

when I have anything to do, to do it myself rather than by others; not to meddle with many businesses; and not easily to admit of any slander.

time is fixed for thee, which if thou dost not use for clearing away the clouds from thy mind, it will go and thou wilt go, and it will never return. Every

Remember how long you have been putting off things, and how often you have received an opportunity from the gods, and yet not use it. You must now at last perceive that you are part of the universe, and that the universe's existence is an efflux, and that a limit of time is fixed for you, which if you do not use for clearing away the clouds from your mind, it will go and you will go, and it will never return.   Every

A man when he has done a good act, does not call out for others to come and see, but he goes on to another act, as a vine goes on to produce again the grapes in season.

Which thou shalt do; if thou shalt go about every action as thy last action, free from all vanity, all passionate and wilful aberration from reason, and from all hypocrisy, and self-love, and dislike of those things, which by the fates or appointment of God have happened unto thee. Thou

13. Have you reason? 'I have.' Then why not use it? If reason does its part, what more would you ask?

If you care about yourself at all, come to your own aid while there's still time.

As virtue and wickedness consist not in passion, but in action; so neither doth the true good or evil of a reasonable charitable man consist in passion, but in operation and action.

In the application of thy principles thou must be like the pancratiast, not like the gladiator; for the gladiator lets fall the sword which he uses and is killed; but the other always has his hand, and needs to do nothing else than use it.

In the morning when you rise reluctantly, let this thought be present: I am rising to do the work of a human being. Why then am I dissatisfied if I am going to do the things for which I exist and for which I was brought into the world? Or have I been made for this, to lie in the bedclothes and keep myself warm?

That every event is the right one. Look closely and you'll see. Not just the right one overall, but right. As if someone had weighed it out with scales. Keep looking closely like that, and embody it in your actions: goodness—what defines a good person.

There is a limit to the time assigned to you, and if you don't use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return.

No more roundabout discussion of what makes a good man. Be one!

17. El perseguir imposibles es locura. Y es imposible que los malvados no cometan tales acciones.