Thy purpose firm is equal to the deed: Who does the best his circumstance allows Does well, acts nobly; angels could no more.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Having a strong purpose is as valuable as doing the deed, especially when you do the best you can.
- In plain terms
- Doing your best with what you have is noble and enough.
- What can you take from it?
- Intent and effort matter as much as results.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is trying your best enough?
- How do you measure success?
Another view
Sometimes outcomes matter more than intent in real-world evaluations.
More from Edward Young
He mourns the dead who lives as they desire.
Permalink to quote #31 Ah, how unjust to Nature and himself Is thoughtless, thankless, inconsistent man!
Permalink to quote #33 All men think all men mortal but themselves.
Permalink to quote #30
Related quotes
Come back again, old heart! Ah me! Methinks in those thy coward fears There might, perchance, a courage be, That fails in these the manlier years; Courage to l…
Arthur Hugh CloughArthur Hugh Clough quote #3 Obstinacy in a bad cause, is but constancy in a good.
Sir Thomas BrowneSir Thomas Browne quote #9 Faith just doesn't have anything to do with what I'm doing as a scientist. It's nice if you can believe in God, because then you see more of a purpose in thing…
Lisa RandallLisa Randall quote #11