Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
True power comes from combining action with understanding.
In plain terms
Doing things well requires both effort and knowledge.
What can you take from it?
Pair action with insight for real impact.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • study before acting
  • reflect on deeds

Questions to consider

  • What do you know that you do not act on?

Another view

Knowledge without action is inert.

More from Andrew Marvell

  1. But bowed his comely head Down as upon a bed.

    Permalink to quote #12
  2. Had we but world enough, and time, This coyness, Lady, were no crime. We would sit down and think which way To walk, and pass our long love's day.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. He nothing common did or mean Upon that memorable scene, But with his keener eye The axe's edge did try.

    Permalink to quote #11

Related quotes

  1. People say that knowledge is power. The more knowledge, the more power. Suppose you knew the winning numbers for the lottery? All of them? Not guessed them, no…

    Lee ChildLee Child quote #14
  2. Because I think the more you understand the world around you, I think the more power you can have in it. And the more you can do. And I think that's important.

    Alton BrownAlton Brown quote #86
  3. The world is ready to give up its secrets if we only know how to knock, how to give it the necessary blow. The strength and force of the blow come through conc…

    Swami VivekanandaSwami Vivekananda quote #155