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You never can tell when you do an act Just what the result will be; But with every deed you are sowing a seed, Though the harvest you may not see. Each kindly act is an acorn dropped In God's productive soil; You may not know, yet the tree shall grow And shelter the brows that toil. You never can tell what your thoughts will do In bringing you hate or love; For thoughts are things, and their airy wings Are swifter than carrier doves. They follow the law of the universe- Each thing must create its kind; And they speed o'er the track to bring you back Whatever went out from your mind.

Ella Wheeler Wilcox#7

ActionConsequencesEthicsIntentThinking

About this quote

What does it mean?
Actions and thoughts create consequences that may not be immediately visible but will eventually manifest.
In plain terms
Your deeds and thoughts grow into future results.
What can you take from it?
Act kindly because effects compound over time.

Where it applies

  • ethical decision making
  • personal growth
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • kindness practice
  • long-term planning

Questions to consider

  • What seeds are you planting?
  • Do intentions matter?

Another view

It assumes a moral universe which isn't always true.

More from Ella Wheeler Wilcox

  1. So many gods, so many creeds; So many paths that wind and wind, While just the art of being kind Is all the sad world needs.

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. Between the finite and the infinite The missing link of Love has left a void. Supply the link, and earth with Heaven will join In one continued chain of endles…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Here, on this side of the grave, Here, should we labor and love.

    Permalink to quote #5

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  3. What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.

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