--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Consult: To seek approval for a course of…" description: "\"Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.\" — Ambrose Bierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg" --- # Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already… ![“Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg) > “Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking approval for a pre‑decided plan is a superficial request that masks true intent. **In simple terms:** Approval for a set plan is just a formality. Key Takeaway Recognize and question hidden motives. Themes politics communication authority authenticity Mood critical skeptical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - business meetings - legislative processes - personal relationships - marketing pitches Key Concepts rhetoric power dynamics Questions to Reflect On - Why do people seek validation for decisions they already made? - What are healthier ways to gain genuine feedback? A Different Perspective May be used to manipulate consent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Approval](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approval/) ## Related quotes > [“Consult, v.t. To seek another’s approval of a course already decided on. Contempt, n. The feeling of a prudent man for an enemy who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-v-t-to-seek-another-s-approval-of-a-course-already-decided-on/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“CONSULT, v.i. To seek another's disapproval of a course already decided on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-v-i-to-seek-another-s-disapproval-of-a-course-already-decided/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [If you seek approval from others in this world, you will not know happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mooji/if-you-seek-approval-from-others-in-this-world-you-will-not-know/) [Mooji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mooji/) > [To seek approval is to have no resting place, no sanctuary. Like all judgement, approval encourages a constant striving. It makes us uncertain of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-naomi-remen/to-seek-approval-is-to-have-no-resting-place-no-sanctuary-like-all/) [Rachel Naomi Remen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-naomi-remen/) > [It seems, by today's standards, that it's better to seek approval than to tell the truth. It's better to utter sweet nothings than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-johnson/it-seems-by-today-s-standards-that-it-s-better-to-seek-approval-than/) [Monica Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-johnson/) > [She just wanted to be comfortable in her own skin...But she would not stop to seek others' approval. The notion that she should never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-j-shields/she-just-wanted-to-be-comfortable-in-her-own-skin-but-she-would-not/) [Charles J. Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-j-shields/) > [You should seek approval from yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ichiro-suzuki/you-should-seek-approval-from-yourself/) [Ichiro Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ichiro-suzuki/) > [I don't seek approval from anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-roy/i-don-t-seek-approval-from-anyone-else/) [Rahul Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-roy/) > [Most of us seek approval from people who matter to us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mazher/most-of-us-seek-approval-from-people-who-matter-to-us/) [Mazher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mazher/) > [“We should forever forswear the masochistic process wherein we seek another's approval before we have even asked ourselves whether that person's views deserve to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/we-should-forever-forswear-the-masochistic-process-wherein-we-seek/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [We all seek approval, and our mother's seal is usually the most important. The nitty gritty is that we have to accept ourselves, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/we-all-seek-approval-and-our-mother-s-seal-is-usually-the-most/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [I cant please everyone I meet, but I can please God. Dont be seeking approval from others. Seek approval from the one who made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-cant-please-everyone-i-meet-but-i-can-please-god-dont-be-seeking/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Life isn’t long enough to win folks over nor is it ever worth the effort to seek approval from the judgmental.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humble-poet/life-isn-t-long-enough-to-win-folks-over-nor-is-it-ever-worth-the/) Humble Poet > [“I seek not your approval, but your perception. Are you wise enough to see things from my view?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-bekoe/i-seek-not-your-approval-but-your-perception-are-you-wise-enough-to/) [Marion Bekoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-bekoe/) > [Don't seek approval. This may be the toughest suggestion for you to follow -- and the most important. Whether you'te a teenager seeking approval…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-j-macgregor/don-t-seek-approval-this-may-be-the-toughest-suggestion-for-you-to/) [T. J. MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-j-macgregor/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of-action-already-decided-upon/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of-action-already-decided-upon/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9aa/ambrose-bierce-140_action_consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of_1551552.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Consult: To seek approval for a course of action already decided upon.” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Consult: To seek approval for a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of-action-already-decided-upon/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/consult-to-seek-approval-for-a-course-of-action-already-decided-upon/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```