---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a critical sense, doing nothing can…"
description: "\"In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this paradox can save your life.\" — Ben Sherwood"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png"
---

#  In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing…

![“In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this paradox can save your life.” quote by Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png)

> “In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this paradox can save your life.”

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

## About This Quote

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

Sometimes doing nothing is a deliberate choice; embracing this can be life‑saving.

**In simple terms:** Inaction can be purposeful.

Key Takeaway

Consider strategic pause.

Themes

paradox decision making mindfulness

Mood

reflective calm

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

- negotiations
- health decisions
- creative blocks

Key Concepts

psychology behavioral economics risk assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- When is inaction beneficial?
- How to differentiate avoidance from strategy?

A Different Perspective

May be misinterpreted as laziness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Doing nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-nothing/) [Inaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inaction/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/)

## Related quotes

> [“Your life will be simplified when you choose inaction when no action is required and choose action when action is required!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/your-life-will-be-simplified-when-you-choose-inaction-when-no-action/)

[Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [“That’s the problem with letting go—it’s more of an inaction than an action, and your brain just hates that, the same way nature abhors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burnett/that-s-the-problem-with-letting-go-it-s-more-of-an-inaction-than-an/)

[Bill Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burnett/)

> [Change quotes were meant to move us from inaction to action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-jones/change-quotes-were-meant-to-move-us-from-inaction-to-action/)

[Jon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-jones/)

> [Solve it. Solve it quickly, solve it right or wrong. If you solve it wrong, it will come back and slap you in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/solve-it-solve-it-quickly-solve-it-right-or-wrong-if-you-solve-it/)

[Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/)

> [To do anything, it is first necessary to be doing nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-hale/to-do-anything-it-is-first-necessary-to-be-doing-nothing/)

[Nancy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-hale/)

> [“You are supposed to be ON. By ON I mean doing your very best work always. Operating at a level where you are dangerously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/detavio-samuels/you-are-supposed-to-be-on-by-on-i-mean-doing-your-very-best-work/)

Detavio Samuels

> [The only way to illustrate what you mean is by doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snigger/the-only-way-to-illustrate-what-you-mean-is-by-doing-it/)

Snigger

> [I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep on doing so until the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-do-the-very-best-i-know-how-the-very-best-i-can-and-i-mean-to-keep/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [“Because growing up means making tough choices, and doing the right thing doesn’t necessarily mean doing the thing that feels good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/because-growing-up-means-making-tough-choices-and-doing-the-right/)

[Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/)

> [Saying that I've THOUGHT about it doesn't mean that I'm DOING it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-trebek/saying-that-i-ve-thought-about-it-doesn-t-mean-that-i-m-doing-it/)

[Alex Trebek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-trebek/)

> [The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-right-to-do-something-does-not-mean-that-doing-it-is-right/)

[William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/)

> [“Because respect doesn’t always mean doing what is right”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-l-armentrout/because-respect-doesn-t-always-mean-doing-what-is-right/)

[Jennifer L. Armentrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-l-armentrout/)

> [Obviously it's how bad do you really want to be successful, essentially. Like, what does that really mean to you? Why are you doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-tiafoe/obviously-it-s-how-bad-do-you-really-want-to-be-successful/)

[Frances Tiafoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-tiafoe/)

> [That doesn't mean we should be doing it, though. We should always be carving back those things that are comfortable and institutionalized but not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-schiff/that-doesn-t-mean-we-should-be-doing-it-though-we-should-always-be/)

[Lewis Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-schiff/)

> [I have meant what I have done. Or I have often meant what I have done. Or I have sometimes meant what I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-johns/i-have-meant-what-i-have-done-or-i-have-often-meant-what-i-have-done/)

[Jasper Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-johns/)

## More by Ben Sherwood

> [“That's the inescapable math of tragedy and the multiplication of grief”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/that-s-the-inescapable-math-of-tragedy-and-the-multiplication-of-grief/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [How many boys like him were out there in the ether, holding on to their big brothers and sisters who were still alive? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/how-many-boys-like-him-were-out-there-in-the-ether-holding-on-to/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“When that day come, we'll be waiting. Waiting for Charlie St. Cloud to come home to us. Until then we offer these parting words...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/when-that-day-come-we-ll-be-waiting-waiting-for-charlie-st-cloud-to/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“We all shine on in the moon and the stars and the sun.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/we-all-shine-on-in-the-moon-and-the-stars-and-the-sun/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“There's death and life, you see. We all shine on. A leaf, a star, a song, a laugh. Notice the little things, because somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/there-s-death-and-life-you-see-we-all-shine-on-a-leaf-a-star-a-song-a/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“That's the death and life, you see. We all shine on. You just have to release your heart, alert you senses, and pay attention”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/that-s-the-death-and-life-you-see-we-all-shine-on-you-just-have-to/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“These were her rituals, the rutines that made her feel alive and connected. Without them, where would she be? Lost”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/these-were-her-rituals-the-rutines-that-made-her-feel-alive-and/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [There's a reason for everything, you said, and though it's a mystery to me now, I know it won't always be so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/there-s-a-reason-for-everything-you-said-and-though-it-s-a-mystery-to/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“Notice the little things, because somebody is reaching out to you”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/notice-the-little-things-because-somebody-is-reaching-out-to-you/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“Trust your heart if the sea catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backwards. -I feel like, Charlie the main character can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/trust-your-heart-if-the-sea-catch-fire-live-by-love-though-the-stars/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“And just as he done for thriteen years, he forced his mind to ignore the hurt”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/and-just-as-he-done-for-thriteen-years-he-forced-his-mind-to-ignore/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“For the first time in forever, he'll wake up to a new beagle's bark every motning, with a feeling that the world is all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/for-the-first-time-in-forever-he-ll-wake-up-to-a-new-beagle-s-bark/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [And I was even beginning to think home might be with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/and-i-was-even-beginning-to-think-home-might-be-with-you/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [That is the inescapable math of tragedy and the multiplication of grief. Too many good people die a little when they lose someone they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/that-is-the-inescapable-math-of-tragedy-and-the-multiplication-of/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

> [“And if you've ever wondered what happens when a person close to you is taken too soon-and it's always too soon-you may find other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/and-if-you-ve-ever-wondered-what-happens-when-a-person-close-to-you/)

[Ben Sherwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

[Explore all 32 Ben Sherwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/)

## 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": "In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this paradox can save your life.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ben Sherwood"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-mean-doing-something-inaction/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-mean-doing-something-inaction/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/ben-sherwood-18343_action_in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-me_2872836.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In a critical sense, doing nothing can mean doing something. Inaction can be action and embracing this…” — Ben Sherwood",
                "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": "Ben Sherwood",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-sherwood/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In a critical sense, doing nothing...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-mean-doing-something-inaction/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-sherwood/in-a-critical-sense-doing-nothing-can-mean-doing-something-inaction/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
