“The author of an atrocious undertaking ought to imagine that he has alreadyaccomplished it, ought to impose upon himself a future as irrevocable as the past.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Quote by Jorge Luis Borges
In this quote, Jorge Luis Borges emphasizes the importance of fully committing to an endeavor, even before it has been completed. The notion that one should envision their future as fixed and unchangeable, just as they see their past, speaks to the need for unwavering determination and dedication when tackling a challenging or controversial task. By immersing oneself fully in the mindset of success, an individual can better focus on the task at hand and overcome obstacles with greater resolve. Borges' words serve as a reminder that true achievement often requires a steadfast belief in one's ability to see a difficult endeavor through to completion.
The Importance of Commitment in Achieving Goals
In this quote, Jorge Luis Borges emphasizes the importance of commitment and dedication in achieving our goals. He suggests that in order to accomplish something great, we must first fully commit ourselves to the task at hand. By imagining and believing that we have already accomplished our goal, we create a sense of determination and decisiveness that propels us forward. This mindset can be applied to modern life, reminding us of the power of commitment and the impact it can have on our success.
Example of Usage
In his essay "The Wall and the Books," Jorge Luis Borges emphasizes the importance of committing fully to one's actions by stating, "The author of an atrocious undertaking ought to imagine that he has already accomplished it, ought to impose upon himself a future as irrevocable as the past." Borges suggests that individuals should take responsibility for their actions as if they have already been completed, reinforcing the idea of accountability and foresight.
Reflection Questions:
When considering the notion that an individual embarking on a difficult or morally complex task should envision their success as already achieved, several thought-provoking questions arise:
- How might adopting a future mindset of success influence one's commitment and determination towards a challenging endeavor?
- In what ways can envisioning the completion of a difficult task as an inevitable reality help to strengthen one's resolve and overcome obstacles along the way?
- What psychological effect does imposing an "irrevocable" future upon oneself have on one's perception of accountability and responsibility towards the task at hand?
- How can the concept of treating a future accomplishment as a fait accompli impact one's decision-making process and approach towards problem-solving in the present moment?
- How might this mindset shift towards envisioning success as already achieved enhance one's overall sense of self-efficacy and belief in their ability to overcome adversity?
Similar quotes
“Whoever would undertake some atrocious enterprise should act as if it were already accomplished should impose upon himself a future as irrevocable as the past.”
“The fact is that every author creates his own precursors. His work modifies our conception of the past, as it will modify the future.”
“A miracle has the right to impose conditions.”
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“A book is more than a verbal structure or series of verbal structures; it is the dialogue it establishes with its reader and the intonation it imposes upon his voice and the changing and durable images it leaves in his memory. A book is not an isolated being: it is a relationship, an axis of innumerable relationships.”
“The great American writer Herman Melville says somewhere in The White Whale that a man ought to be 'a patriot to heaven,' and I believe it is a good thing, this ambition to be a cosmopolitan, this idea to be citizens not of a small parcel of the world that changes according to the currents of politics, according to the wars, to what occurs, but to feel that the whole world is our country.”