“ He who may behold, as it were inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise amongst mankind. He is a perfect performer of all duty. ”
Henry David Thoreau, A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers (1849). copy citation
| Author | Henry David Thoreau |
|---|---|
| Source | A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers |
| Topic | inaction action |
| Date | 1849 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/4232/4232-h/4232-h.htm |
Context
““ Let the motive be in the deed and not in the event. Be not one whose motive for action is the hope of reward. Let not thy life be spent in inaction. ” “ For the man who doeth that which he hath to do, without affection, obtaineth the Supreme. ” He who may behold, as it were inaction in action, and action in inaction, is wise amongst mankind. He is a perfect performer of all duty. “ Wise men call him a Pandeet, whose every undertaking is free from the idea of desire, and whose actions are consumed by the fire of wisdom. He abandoneth the desire of a reward of his actions; he is always contented and independent; and although he may be engaged in a work, he, as it were, doeth nothing. ””
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