--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And I thought to myself, What am I doing?…" description: "\"And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? They are acting exactly as the old men did earlier. They are fifty years younger, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/anonymous-1_acting_and-i-thought-to-myself-what-am-i-doing_2944010.jpg" --- # And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching… ![“And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? They are acting exactly as the old men did earlier. They are fifty years younger, maybe more, but doing the same thing those old men did who never attended school a day in their lives. Is it just a vicious circle? Am I doing…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/anonymous-1_acting_and-i-thought-to-myself-what-am-i-doing_2944010.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/anonymous-1_acting_and-i-thought-to-myself-what-am-i-doing_2944010.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ff8/anonymous-1_acting_and-i-thought-to-myself-what-am-i-doing_2944010.jpg) > “And I thought to myself, What am I doing? Am I reaching them at all? They are acting exactly as the old men did earlier. They are fifty years younger, maybe more, but doing the same thing those old men did who never attended school a day in their lives. Is it just a vicious circle? Am I doing anything?” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker questions their purpose and the repetitive cycle of behavior across generations, wondering if their actions are meaningful. **In simple terms:** Questioning purpose and repetitive cycles. Key Takeaway Reflect on personal impact. Themes purpose generational patterns self‑reflection Mood contemplative uncertain Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - career decisions - community involvement - education advocacy - personal growth Key Concepts existential doubt social critique Questions to Reflect On - What patterns repeat in your life? - How can you break unproductive cycles? A Different Perspective May overlook external constraints shaping behavior. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circles/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Old man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-man/) [Old men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-men/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Vicious circles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vicious-circles/) ## Related quotes > [What are we doing here? We're reaching for the stars!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christa-mcauliffe/what-are-we-doing-here-we-re-reaching-for-the-stars/) [Christa McAuliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christa-mcauliffe/) > [“And exactly how old are you MacRieve ?" "Twelve hundreds, give or take." "Great Hekate, you're a relic. Don't you have a museum exhibit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/and-exactly-how-old-are-you-macrieve-twelve-hundreds-give-or-take/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [I was born trying to figure out why other kids were just playing in a circle. What are you doing in the circle? Duck,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-abrams/i-was-born-trying-to-figure-out-why-other-kids-were-just-playing-in-a/) [Stacey Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-abrams/) > [Obviously there are times with acting when exactly what is required is just going through the motions, and when doing nothing is the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-bale/obviously-there-are-times-with-acting-when-exactly-what-is-required/) [Christian Bale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-bale/) > [When I went to Bollywood and used to give actors instructions, many of them would tell me that I am acting out exactly like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyadarshan/when-i-went-to-bollywood-and-used-to-give-actors-instructions-many-of/) [Priyadarshan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyadarshan/) > [If you've ever been around a group of actors, you've noticed, no doubt, that they can talk of nothing else under the sun but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-mathewson/if-you-ve-ever-been-around-a-group-of-actors-you-ve-noticed-no-doubt/) [Christy Mathewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-mathewson/) > [I've been acting since I was 9, so not exactly a baby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bobby-brown/i-ve-been-acting-since-i-was-9-so-not-exactly-a-baby/) [Millie Bobby Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bobby-brown/) > [Here is the vicious circle: if you feel separate from your organic life, you feel driven to survive; survival -going on living- thus becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-is-the-vicious-circle-if-you-feel-separate-from-your-organic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Another source of fallacy is the vicious circle of illusions which consists on the one hand of believing what we see, and on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/another-source-of-fallacy-is-the-vicious-circle-of-illusions-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The Theory of Groups is a branch of mathematics in which one does something to something and then compares the result with the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-theory-of-groups-is-a-branch-of-mathematics-in-which-one-does/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What is the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-the-definition-of-insanity-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, you're going to have a hard time...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-re-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-and-expecting-different/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/insanity-is-doing-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again-but-expecting/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never argue with a fool...he may be doing the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-argue-with-a-fool-he-may-be-doing-the-same-thing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You arent the only one sitting home alone on a Saturday night. Wonder if your future boyfriend/girlfriend is doing the same thing you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-arent-the-only-one-sitting-home-alone-on-a-saturday-night-wonder/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Acting quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [Acting is a grind, just like music is a grind. 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I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [It was only when I went to acting school that I was like, "You are absolutely such a pigheaded freak show that you thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giles-matthey/it-was-only-when-i-went-to-acting-school-that-i-was-like-you-are/) [Giles Matthey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giles-matthey/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) > [It definitely helps to have the acting experience going into singing, because when you're singing, you have to portray the emotion you were feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-newman/it-definitely-helps-to-have-the-acting-experience-going-into-singing/) Ryan Newman > [The show was number one in the ratings, Gordon Russell was our head writer, the story lines were magnificent and the acting most exciting.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-storm/the-show-was-number-one-in-the-ratings-gordon-russell-was-our-head/) [Michael Storm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-storm/) > [I've done so many other projects where you're in a room with a reader and you're acting your lines out: 'We have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cummings/i-ve-done-so-many-other-projects-where-you-re-in-a-room-with-a-reader/) [Jim Cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cummings/) > [I do not believe in public shaming. 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