This world, where much is to be done and little to be known.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The world requires much action but offers little clear knowledge about how to act.
- In plain terms
- Life is full of tasks but not much advice on how to do them.
- What can you take from it?
- Act despite uncertainty.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How much do you really know before acting?
- Is action better than waiting for knowledge?
Another view
Some fields offer clear knowledge and guidance.
More from Samuel Johnson
Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.
Permalink to quote #18 Here closed in death th' attentive eyes That saw the manners in the face.
Permalink to quote #20 How is it that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?
Permalink to quote #17
Related quotes
It's not knowing what to do, it's doing what you know.
Anthony RobbinsAnthony Robbins quote #23 The chapter of knowledge is a very short, but the chapter of accidents is a very long one.
Philip StanhopePhilip Stanhope quote #1 We may not know the whole story in our lifetime.
Earl WarrenEarl Warren quote #5