Each work has to pass through these stages-ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood.
Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Vivekananda outlines a common trajectory for new ideas: they face ridicule and opposition before eventual acceptance.
- In plain terms
- New ideas get mocked and opposed before people accept them.
- What can you take from it?
- Expect resistance when innovating; persistence is necessary.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we handle criticism of new ideas?
- What makes an idea ahead of its time?
Another view
Not all rejected ideas are valuable; some may simply be flawed.
More from Swami Vivekananda
Don't look back-forward, infinite energy, infinite enthusiasm, infinite daring, and infinite patience-then alone can great deeds be accomplished.
Permalink to quote #73 Even the greatest fool can accomplish a task if it were after his or her heart. But the intelligent ones are those who can convert every work into one that sui…
Permalink to quote #75 Do not look back upon what has been done. Go ahead!
Permalink to quote #72
Related quotes
All great ideas are controversial, or have been at one time.
George SeldesGeorge Seldes quote #11 Like stones rolling down hills, fair ideas reach their objectives despite all obstacles and barriers. It may be possible to speed or hinder them, but impossibl…
Jose MartiJose Marti quote #90 Progress comes from finding better ways to do things. Don't be afraid of innovation. Don't be afraid of ideas that are not your own.
Douglas CrockfordDouglas Crockford quote #2