Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
scott miller
on 02 Mar 09this quote was referenced by me, not matt. here is the link, http://thebusinessofservice.org/?p=193
you will be hearing from my attorney. kidding! keep up the good work. i really enjoy the mix of tech and strategy on the blog.
best,
scott miller
ML
on 02 Mar 09Scott, nice find. In case ya missed, that link and a “thx SM” were at the end of the post.
Jorn Mineur
on 02 Mar 09It’s a nice quote, but it isn’t from Goethe but from W. H. Murray, The Scottish Himalaya Expedition (1951).
Don Schenck
on 02 Mar 09Three things needed for success: Ambition, Audacity and Action.
(c) 2009 by Don Schenck
Terry Rock
on 02 Mar 09I actually bought that book from a used book dealer, and gave it to a friend who had the quote you reference framed on his wall.
However, I found the following quote to be even more compelling (if not as poetic), and perhaps 37signals folk will as well:
“Fellow climbers had sometimes asked me a wrongly conceived and stated question, to which there is no known answer:
‘How does one get on to an expedition?’
It is a matter for Providence. The question implies that this expedition is to be run by someone else—someone older and more experienced, preferably commanding wealth—and that the questioner wants to squeeze in if he can. Unless he is a very fortunate or outstanding man his hair will grow grey, life ebb away, while he waits for that to happen.
The correct question is: ‘How is an expedition organized?’ For that can be given a true answer: Take the initiative. Organize one yourself. Only then can you get down to brass tacks. You must make time, and get companions and face the brutal fact that if you want to go, say, to the Himalaya, you must first of all save up at least three hundred and fifty pounds, or else persuade someone to give it to you. Until that is done you cannot move.”
- W.H. Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition, pp.1-2
Anonymous
on 04 Mar 09I think you have one more edit to do: “the providence moves too” shoud be “then Providence moves too”. I believe he was trying to say that God helps those who helps themselves.
This discussion is closed.