---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For a thing to remain undone nothing more…"
description: "\"For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.\" — Baltasar Gracian"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg"
---

#  For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than…

![“For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.” quote by Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg)

> “For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.”

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Inaction can be achieved by convincing oneself a task is already completed.

**In simple terms:** Thinking something is done prevents doing it.

Key Takeaway

Avoid mental shortcuts that hinder action.

Themes

procrastination mindset productivity

Mood

critical motivational

Type

self‑help philosophical

When to use this quote

- work deadlines
- personal goals
- habit formation

Key Concepts

philosophy behavioral economics self‑control

Questions to Reflect On

- What tasks have you pretended are finished?
- How can you ensure genuine progress?

A Different Perspective

Self‑deception may lead to missed opportunities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [Most things remain undone. Glorious future!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingvar-kamprad/most-things-remain-undone-glorious-future/)

[Ingvar Kamprad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingvar-kamprad/)

> [“There is nothing called immortality only thing that remain are deeds, indeed! ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/there-is-nothing-called-immortality-only-thing-that-remain-are-deeds/)

[Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/)

> [Become a student of change. It is the only thing that will remain constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-j-d-angelo/become-a-student-of-change-it-is-the-only-thing-that-will-remain/)

[Anthony J. D'Angelo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-j-d-angelo/)

> [“I was by myself for a pretty long time. I needed to do that. I think everyone that I know has wanted to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-vernon/i-was-by-myself-for-a-pretty-long-time-i-needed-to-do-that-i-think/)

[Justin Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-vernon/)

> [Is there a reason there's not a tampon dispenser in the West Wing basement?" And it was like, "No." Nobody had really just ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa-mastromonaco/is-there-a-reason-there-s-not-a-tampon-dispenser-in-the-west-wing/)

[Alyssa Mastromonaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa-mastromonaco/)

> [We assured Phelan that we were more than happy to let him have you and your menagerie,” Leo retorted. “After that, he said he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/we-assured-phelan-that-we-were-more-than-happy-to-let-him-have-you/)

[Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/)

> [Collected my belongings and I left the jail. Well thanks for the time, I needed to think a spell. I had to think awhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/modest-mouse/collected-my-belongings-and-i-left-the-jail-well-thanks-for-the-time/)

[Modest Mouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/modest-mouse/)

> [I knew that I had it tough compared to children around me. But I felt like I needed it. I think I had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-polamalu/i-knew-that-i-had-it-tough-compared-to-children-around-me-but-i-felt/)

[Troy Polamalu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-polamalu/)

> [This was all he wanted now. Some signs that the immense world would accept him and give him the long time he needed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/this-was-all-he-wanted-now-some-signs-that-the-immense-world-would/)

[Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/)

> [When I needed to think or was really upset, generally I climbed a tree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-frazier/when-i-needed-to-think-or-was-really-upset-generally-i-climbed-a-tree/)

[Ian Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-frazier/)

> [“I realized I needed to think about how to leave priesthood—if it was even possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-benedict/i-realized-i-needed-to-think-about-how-to-leave-priesthood-if-it-was/)

[Charles Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-benedict/)

> [I needed to think about last night. So I galloped into a wooded glen, and after punch-dancing out my rage and suffering an extremely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-samberg/i-needed-to-think-about-last-night-so-i-galloped-into-a-wooded-glen/)

[Andy Samberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-samberg/)

> [“Friends will hand over anything that is needed and think nothing of it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/friends-will-hand-over-anything-that-is-needed-and-think-nothing-of-it/)

[William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/)

> [God is greater than anything that man can do or has done. He is not undone by just a train of powder. "Our God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-morris/god-is-greater-than-anything-that-man-can-do-or-has-done-he-is-not/)

[Errol Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-morris/)

> [In my rear view mirror the sun is going down sinking behind bridges in the road and I think of all the good things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/in-my-rear-view-mirror-the-sun-is-going-down-sinking-behind-bridges/)

[Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/)

## More by Baltasar Gracian

> [To be at ease is better than to be at business. Nothing really belongs to us but time, which even he has who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/to-be-at-ease-is-better-than-to-be-at-business-nothing-really-belongs/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [It requires as much to tell the truth as to conceal it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-requires-as-much-to-tell-the-truth-as-to-conceal-it/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [There are friendships merely for pleasure, some for the exchange of ideas. Rarest are those friends of one's inmost self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/there-are-friendships-merely-for-pleasure-some-for-the-exchange-of/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [What is not seen is as if it was not. Even the Right does not receive proper consideration if it does not seem right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/what-is-not-seen-is-as-if-it-was-not-even-the-right-does-not-receive/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [What the multitude says, is so, or soon will be so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/what-the-multitude-says-is-so-or-soon-will-be-so/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [A synonym is a word you use when you can't spell the other one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/a-synonym-is-a-word-you-use-when-you-can-t-spell-the-other-one/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [It is good to vary in order that you may frustrate the curious, especially those who envy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/it-is-good-to-vary-in-order-that-you-may-frustrate-the-curious/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/hope-has-a-good-memory-gratitude-a-bad-one/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [Knowing how to keep a friend is more important than gaining a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/knowing-how-to-keep-a-friend-is-more-important-than-gaining-a-new-one/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [Leave your luck while still winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/leave-your-luck-while-still-winning/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [Superiority is always detested.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/superiority-is-always-detested/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [“We have eyelids but not earlids, for the ears are the portals of learning, and Nature wanted to keep them wide open.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/we-have-eyelids-but-not-earlids-for-the-ears-are-the-portals-of/)

[Baltasar Gracián](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [The wise persono would rather see others needing him than thanking him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/the-wise-persono-would-rather-see-others-needing-him-than-thanking-him/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [No one demands more caution than a spy, and when someone has the skeleton key to minds, counter him by leaving the key of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/no-one-demands-more-caution-than-a-spy-and-when-someone-has-the/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

> [Keep the extent of your abilities unknown.The wise man does not allow his knowledge and abilities to be sounded to the bottom, if he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/keep-the-extent-of-your-abilities-unknown-the-wise-man-does-not-allow/)

[Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

[Explore all 288 Baltasar Gracian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/)

## More Done quotes

> [Entertainment is a sacred pursuit when done well. When done well, it raises the quality of human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-chabon/entertainment-is-a-sacred-pursuit-when-done-well-when-done-well-it/)

[Michael Chabon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-chabon/)

> [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/)

[Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/)

> [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/)

> [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/)

[Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/)

> [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/)

[Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/)

> [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/)

[Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/)

> [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/)

[Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/)

> [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/)

[Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/)

> [It's like the query letter problem that I just mentioned, magnified a hundredfold. You might be good at telling a story, but that doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/it-s-like-the-query-letter-problem-that-i-just-mentioned-magnified-a/)

[Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/)

> [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [I don't enjoy killing, but when done righteously, it's just a chore, like any other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua/i-don-t-enjoy-killing-but-when-done-righteously-it-s-just-a-chore/)

[Joshua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua/)

> [Of everything I have done, 'The Archers' always gets the most excitement; there's a sort of uncontrollable joy from fans of the program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/of-everything-i-have-done-the-archers-always-gets-the-most-excitement/)

[Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/)

Browse all 25,653 Done quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Baltasar Gracian"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-more-is-needed-than-to-think-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Done"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-more-is-needed-than-to-think-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b74/baltasar-gracian-1090_done_for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-mor_1857184.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“For a thing to remain undone nothing more is needed than to think of it done.” — Baltasar Gracian",
                "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": "Baltasar Gracian",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "For a thing to remain undone...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-more-is-needed-than-to-think-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/for-a-thing-to-remain-undone-nothing-more-is-needed-than-to-think-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
