---
title: "Behold the life at ease; it drifts, The sharpened life commands its c… — George Meredith Quote #18 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "Behold the life at ease; it drifts, The sharpened life commands its course. — a quote by George Meredith."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # Behold the life at ease; it drifts, The sharpened life commands its course.

[George Meredith](https://quotesby.net/George-Meredith)\#18

[Action](https://quotesby.net/topics/action/)[Control](https://quotesby.net/topics/control/)[Purpose](https://quotesby.net/topics/purpose/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Passive lives drift while driven lives command their path.In plain termsA life of ease drifts; a sharp life commands.What can you take from it?Take control of your life direction.

### Where it applies

- career choice
- life planning
- leadership

### Putting it to work

- set goals
- take initiative
- avoid drift

### Questions to consider

- Is your life drifting?
- What commands your course?

### Another view

Rest and drifting are sometimes healthy too.

## More from George Meredith

1. > Full lasting is the song, though he, The singer, passes.

[Permalink to quote \#17](https://quotesby.net/George-Meredith/17/ "Permalink to quote 17")
2. > All wisdom's armoury this man could wield

[Permalink to quote \#19](https://quotesby.net/George-Meredith/19/ "Permalink to quote 19")
3. > With patient inattention hear him prate.

[Permalink to quote \#16](https://quotesby.net/George-Meredith/16/ "Permalink to quote 16")

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2. > When last comes to last, I have little power: I am merely an urn. I hold the bone-sap of myself, and watch the marrow burn. When last comes to last, I have lit…

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3. > I don't want to do something for the sake of it. I am prepared to wait. If I wait until I am buried, too bad.

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