I do nothing upon myself, and yet am mine own executioner.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Donne describes a state where doing nothing leads to internal self destruction.
- In plain terms
- Doing nothing can still destroy you from inside.
- What can you take from it?
- Inaction can be as harmful as direct action.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What harm comes from doing nothing?
- How do you hold yourself accountable?
Another view
It treats inaction as equivalent to intentional harm which can be misleading.
More from John Donne
Let not one bring Learning, another Diligence, another Religion, but every one bring all.
Permalink to quote #74 The flea, though he kill none, he does all the harm he can.
Permalink to quote #76 Age is a sicknesse, and Youth is an ambush.
Permalink to quote #73
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