“In human affairs of danger and delicacy successful conclusion is sharply limited by hurry. So often men trip by being in a rush. If one were properly to perform a difficult and subtle act, he should first inspect the end to be achieved and then, once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means. By this method he would not be moved to false action by anxiety or hurry or fear. Very few people learn this.”
Analysis
This quote by John Steinbeck emphasizes the importance of taking time and approaching tasks with patience and deliberation. Steinbeck warns against rushing through important or difficult tasks, as doing so can lead to mistakes or failure. He suggests that in order to successfully complete a complex task, one must first understand the desired outcome and then focus solely on the steps needed to achieve it, without being distracted by anxiety or fear. This quote highlights the significance of careful planning, attention to detail, and a calm and focused mindset in accomplishing goals effectively.
Applying Steinbeck's Wisdom in Today's Fast-Paced World
John Steinbeck's insight on the importance of patience and focus in achieving successful outcomes holds true even in today's fast-paced world. In a society where speed and efficiency are often prioritized over thoroughness and deliberation, taking the time to carefully consider the end goal and then methodically working towards it can lead to more effective and sustainable results. Steinbeck's words serve as a reminder to pause, reflect, and approach challenges with a calm and deliberate mindset.
Usage Example
John Steinbeck's quote emphasizes the importance of focusing on the means rather than rushing towards a desired end in human affairs. He argues that by concentrating solely on the process, one can avoid being influenced by anxiety, hurry, or fear. This principle can be applied to various aspects of life, including decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting.
Reflection Questions:
As you reflect on the quote by John Steinbeck, consider the following questions:
- Have you ever experienced a situation where rushing led to a less-than-desirable outcome? How did that experience shape your perspective on taking time to properly consider and plan actions?
- How do you typically approach difficult and subtle tasks? Do you tend to focus more on the end goal or on the means of achieving it?
- What strategies can you implement to help you avoid being driven by anxiety, hurry, or fear when working towards a goal?
- How might practicing the method suggested by Steinbeck – focusing solely on the means once the desired end has been accepted – enhance your ability to successfully navigate challenging situations or achieve your desired outcomes?
Similar quotes
“He showed, in a few words, that it is not sufficient to throw together a few incidents that are to be met with in every romance, and that to dazzle the spectator the thought should be new, without being farfetched; frequently sublime, but always natural; the author should have a thorough knowledge of the human heart and make it speak properly; he should be a complete poet, without showing an affectation of it in any of the characters of his piece; he should be a perfect master of his language, speak it with all its pruity and with the utmost harmony, and yet so as not to make the sense a slave to the rhyme. Whoever, added he, neglects any one of these rules, though he may write two or three tragedies with tolerable success, will never be reckoned in the number of good authors.”
“By now the two men were tied securely to their chairs. Powerscourt found he could just about move his arms. If there was a deus out there somewhere, he said to himself, he wished he would hurry up and get out of his machina.”
“Christopher Robin was home by this time, because it was the afternoon, and he was so glad to see them that they stayed there until very nearly tea-time, and then they had a Very Nearly tea, which is one you forget about afterwards, and hurried on to Pooh Corner, so as to see Eeyore before it was too late to have a Proper Tea with Owl.”
“In the end, I must proclaim that no good can be achieved of false means. For the substance of our existence is not in the achievement, but in the method.”
“If he was planning to attack and ravish, he gave no indication of being in a hurry to do so.”