--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man's activity consists in either a…" description: "\"Man's activity consists in either a making or doing. Both of these aspects of the active life depend for their correction upon the contemplative life (..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/ananda-coomaraswamy-30410_active_man-s-activity-consists-in-either-a-maki_2077448.png" --- # Man's activity consists in either a making or doing. Both… ![“Man's activity consists in either a making or doing. Both of these aspects of the active life depend for their correction upon the contemplative life (that is, the Hero).” quote by Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/ananda-coomaraswamy-30410_active_man-s-activity-consists-in-either-a-maki_2077448.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/ananda-coomaraswamy-30410_active_man-s-activity-consists-in-either-a-maki_2077448.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c2d/ananda-coomaraswamy-30410_active_man-s-activity-consists-in-either-a-maki_2077448.png) > “Man's activity consists in either a making or doing. Both of these aspects of the active life depend for their correction upon the contemplative life (that is, the Hero).” [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human activity splits into creation and execution, both requiring the guiding influence of contemplation, embodied by the Hero archetype. **In simple terms:** Making and doing need reflective guidance. Key Takeaway Balance action with reflection. Themes creation execution contemplation heroism Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - artistic practice - leadership - personal development - decision making Key Concepts philosophy art theory dualism Questions to Reflect On - How does contemplation improve your daily tasks? - What is your personal 'Hero' that guides you? A Different Perspective Neglecting contemplation can lead to misguided actions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Active life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active-life/) [Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/activity/) [Aspect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspect/) [Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative/) [Contemplative life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contemplative-life/) [Correction Contemplative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/correction-contemplative-4040844/) [Corrections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corrections/) [Depends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depends/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Man Activity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-activity-1172861/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) ## Related quotes > [For in order that man may do well, whether in the works of the active life, or in those of the contemplative life, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/for-in-order-that-man-may-do-well-whether-in-the-works-of-the-active/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [Those who are more adapted to the active life can prepare themselves for contemplation in the practice of the active life, while those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/those-who-are-more-adapted-to-the-active-life-can-prepare-themselves/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [In the active life all the vices are first of all to be removed by the practice of good works, so that in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isidore-of-seville/in-the-active-life-all-the-vices-are-first-of-all-to-be-removed-by/) [Isidore of Seville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isidore-of-seville/) > [You know, Monsieur, that, although the contemplative life is more perfect than the active life, it is not, however, more so than one which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/you-know-monsieur-that-although-the-contemplative-life-is-more/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Necessary for a contemplative life: a cup of understanding, a barrel of love, and an ocean of patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/necessary-for-a-contemplative-life-a-cup-of-understanding-a-barrel-of/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [Even the contemplative life is only an effort, Nora my dear, to hide the body so the feet won’t stick out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/djuna-barnes/even-the-contemplative-life-is-only-an-effort-nora-my-dear-to-hide/) [Djuna Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/djuna-barnes/) > [“Not too long ago thousands spent their lives as recluses to find spiritual vision in the solitude of nature. Modern man need not become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-winkler/not-too-long-ago-thousands-spent-their-lives-as-recluses-to-find/) [Franz Winkler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-winkler/) > [The bearing, rearing, feeding and educating of children; the running of a house with its thousand details; human relationships with their myriad pulls -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/the-bearing-rearing-feeding-and-educating-of-children-the-running-of/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [Books are surviving in this intense, fragmented, hyper-accelerated present, and my sense and hope is that things will slow down again and people will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/books-are-surviving-in-this-intense-fragmented-hyper-accelerated/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [A contemplative life has more the appearance of a life of piety than any other; but it is the divine plan to bring faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-david-cecil/a-contemplative-life-has-more-the-appearance-of-a-life-of-piety-than/) [Lord David Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-david-cecil/) > [One of the strange laws of the contemplative life is that in it you do not sit down and solve problems: you bear with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/one-of-the-strange-laws-of-the-contemplative-life-is-that-in-it-you/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Thomas Merton wrote, “there is always a temptation to diddle around in the contemplative life, making itsy-bitsy statues.” There is always an enormous temptation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-dillard/thomas-merton-wrote-there-is-always-a-temptation-to-diddle-around-in/) [Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/) > [I live a very secluded life, a very contemplative life and a very meditative one. That is my ideal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-live-a-very-secluded-life-a-very-contemplative-life-and-a-very/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Woman's normal occupations in general run counter to creative life, or contemplative life, or saintly life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/woman-s-normal-occupations-in-general-run-counter-to-creative-life-or/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The contemplative life is often miserable. One must act more, think less, and not watch oneself live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-contemplative-life-is-often-miserable-one-must-act-more-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Ananda Coomaraswamy > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [All that is best for us comes of itself into our hands-but if we strive to overtake it, it perpetually eludes us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/all-that-is-best-for-us-comes-of-itself-into-our-hands-but-if-we/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Becoming is not a contradiction of being but the epiphany of being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/becoming-is-not-a-contradiction-of-being-but-the-epiphany-of-being/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Industry without art is brutality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/industry-without-art-is-brutality/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [It is only when the maker of things is a maker of things by vocation, and not merely holding down a job, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/it-is-only-when-the-maker-of-things-is-a-maker-of-things-by-vocation/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [“There is then no sacred or profane, spiritual or sensual, but everything that lives is pure and void.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/there-is-then-no-sacred-or-profane-spiritual-or-sensual-but/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Beauty is the attractive power of perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/beauty-is-the-attractive-power-of-perfection/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [“Those who think of their house as only a ‘machine to live in’ should judge their point of view by that Neolithic man, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/those-who-think-of-their-house-as-only-a-machine-to-live-in-should/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Myth embodies the nearest approach to absolute truth that can be stated in words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/myth-embodies-the-nearest-approach-to-absolute-truth-that-can-be/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [From one point of view becoming is a humiliation, and from another a royal procession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/from-one-point-of-view-becoming-is-a-humiliation-and-from-another-a/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [The vocation, whether it be that of the farmer or the architect, is a function; the exercise of this function as regards the man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/the-vocation-whether-it-be-that-of-the-farmer-or-the-architect-is-a/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [The artist is not a special kind of man, but every man is a special kind of artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/the-artist-is-not-a-special-kind-of-man-but-every-man-is-a-special/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [The most awkward means are adequate to the communication of authentic experience, and the finest words no compensation for lack of it. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/the-most-awkward-means-are-adequate-to-the-communication-of-authentic/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [The man incapable of contemplation cannot be an artist, but only a skillful workman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/the-man-incapable-of-contemplation-cannot-be-an-artist-but-only-a/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [We have come to think of art and work as incompatible, or at least independent categories and have for the first time in history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/we-have-come-to-think-of-art-and-work-as-incompatible-or-at-least/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) [Explore all 17 Ananda Coomaraswamy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) ## More Active quotes > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [we need not avoid our active lives, but simply bring to them a new vision and shift of gravity. for in the center we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/we-need-not-avoid-our-active-lives-but-simply-bring-to-them-a-new/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [We in US need active intelligence: people being on the streets, people being able to stop and ask questions of individuals that they suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/we-in-us-need-active-intelligence-people-being-on-the-streets-people/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I eat healthy most of the time. Whole foods are the best for you when you are super active, so I get plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/witney-carson/i-eat-healthy-most-of-the-time-whole-foods-are-the-best-for-you-when/) [Witney Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/witney-carson/) > [Art shows us how to see things that are constructive and good, and to be an active part of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/art-shows-us-how-to-see-things-that-are-constructive-and-good-and-to/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [Love, like truth and beauty, is concrete. Love is not fundamentally a sweet feeling; not, at heart, a matter of sentiment, attachment, or being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carter-heyward/love-like-truth-and-beauty-is-concrete-love-is-not-fundamentally-a/) [Carter Heyward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-heyward/) > [Studying Sol's interior by looking for analogous patterns on its incandescent face is known as helioseismology, an active - if largely unpronounceable - research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/studying-sol-s-interior-by-looking-for-analogous-patterns-on-its/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [Science manipulates things and gives up living in them. 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