Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it thoroughly…
“Whatever you do, do it to the purpose; do it thoroughly, not superficially. Go to the bottom of things. Any thing half done, or half known, is in my mind, neither done nor known at all. Nay, worse, for it often misleads.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Thoroughness prevents half‑finished work that misleads; aim for depth and completeness.
In simple terms: Do things fully, not half‑done.
Key Takeaway
Pursue depth, avoid superficiality.
Themes
diligence
depth
integrity
Mood
analytical
motivational
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- research projects
- skill mastery
- quality control processes
Key Concepts
philosophy
work ethic
critical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- When is depth more valuable than speed?
- How can you balance thoroughness with efficiency?
A Different Perspective
May be time‑consuming and impractical in fast‑paced contexts.