--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The great thing in the world is not so…" description: "\"The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c5/anonymous-1_growth_the-great-thing-in-the-world-is-not-so-m_2014391.jpg" --- # The great thing in the world is not so much where we… ![“The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c5/anonymous-1_growth_the-great-thing-in-the-world-is-not-so-m_2014391.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c5/anonymous-1_growth_the-great-thing-in-the-world-is-not-so-m_2014391.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c5/anonymous-1_growth_the-great-thing-in-the-world-is-not-so-m_2014391.jpg) > “The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” [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. Progress matters more than current status; direction defines growth. **In simple terms:** Moving forward matters more than where you stand. Key Takeaway Focus on direction, not position. Themes growth direction progress Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - fitness goals - learning new skills - political activism Key Concepts motivation mindset Questions to Reflect On - What direction are you moving toward? - How can you clarify your path? A Different Perspective Direction can be unclear, leading to aimless effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direction/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Motivating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivating/) [Motivational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivational/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) ## Related quotes > [The great thing in this world is not so much where you stand, as in what direction you are moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes/the-great-thing-in-this-world-is-not-so-much-where-you-stand-as-in/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes/) > [The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-greatest-thing-in-this-world-is-not-so-much-where-we-stand-as-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is not the position you stand, but the direction in which you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-the-position-you-stand-but-the-direction-in-which-you-look/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-find-the-great-thing-in-this-world-is-not-so-much-where-we-stand-as-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is not about where you are but in what direction you're moving. God is into character, not credentials.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-g-hendricks/it-is-not-about-where-you-are-but-in-what-direction-you-re-moving-god/) [Howard G. Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-g-hendricks/) > [“The great thing in this world, is not so much where we are, but in which direction we are moving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/the-great-thing-in-this-world-is-not-so-much-where-we-are-but-in/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-sr/) > [The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/the-direction-in-which-we-are-moving-is-more-important-than-where-we/) [Marvin J. Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [I am a person. I am special. 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"What if they don't show up?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-motivating-is-self-motivating-the-guy-says-i-wish-someone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Keep focusing on what's motivating you and you'll get there in the end. Just don't give up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/keep-focusing-on-what-s-motivating-you-and-you-ll-get-there-in-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You're a positive motivating force within my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-re-a-positive-motivating-force-within-my-life/) [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. 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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 Direction quotes > [I'm not gonna squeal out that this is my 23rd retirement, my real, real retirement. 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