A saint a real saint never does anything, a martyr does something but a really good saint does nothing, and so I wanted to have Four Saints who did nothing and I wrote the Four Saints In Three Acts and they did nothing and that was everything. Generally speaking anybody is more interesting doing nothing than doing something. ~ Ch.3
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stein distinguishes between saints and martyrs, suggesting in doing nothing is more interesting or valuable than doing something. She values the state of being over action.
- In plain terms
- Good saints do nothing, which is more interesting than doing something.
- What can you take from it?
- Being can be more valuable than doing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is doing nothing ever the right choice?
- What makes something interesting?
Another view
Inaction is not always beneficial and can lead to stagnation or neglect.
More from Gertrude Stein
I rarely believe anything, because at the time of believing I am not really there to believe. ~ Ch. 3
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