--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A crazy action only works if there's a…" description: "\"A crazy action only works if there's a great reaction.\" — Brett Gelman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f8/brett-gelman-8521_action_a-crazy-action-only-works-if-there-s-a-g_2182147.jpg" --- # A crazy action only works if there's a great reaction. ![“A crazy action only works if there's a great reaction.” quote by Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f8/brett-gelman-8521_action_a-crazy-action-only-works-if-there-s-a-g_2182147.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f8/brett-gelman-8521_action_a-crazy-action-only-works-if-there-s-a-g_2182147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f8/brett-gelman-8521_action_a-crazy-action-only-works-if-there-s-a-g_2182147.jpg) > “A crazy action only works if there's a great reaction.” [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Bold actions need strong reactions to be effective; impact follows intensity. **In simple terms:** Great actions need great reactions. Key Takeaway Match effort with expected response. Themes risk action reaction Mood energetic critical Type strategic observational When to use this quote - marketing campaigns - social movements - personal challenges Key Concepts psychology social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is a bold action appropriate? - How to manage expectations? A Different Perspective Overreliance on reaction can backfire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action Works](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-works-4718831/) [Crazy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crazy/) [Crazy Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crazy-action-3444025/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-reaction-1417894/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Reaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reaction/) ## Related quotes > [Depend upon it; from every condition of distress or evil, there is a great reaction, and the greater the distress or evil, the greater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/depend-upon-it-from-every-condition-of-distress-or-evil-there-is-a/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [I would love to do some crazy action or even a real romantic comedy. I think that would be really exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-murray/i-would-love-to-do-some-crazy-action-or-even-a-real-romantic-comedy-i/) [Jillian Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-murray/) > [I knew I wanted to learn jiu-jitsu and maybe one day I would have a challenge match or something like one of those crazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-serra/i-knew-i-wanted-to-learn-jiu-jitsu-and-maybe-one-day-i-would-have-a/) [Matt Serra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-serra/) > [We started very slow in America. It was small acoustic shows. We played places like Los Angeles, New York and Chicago and everywhere there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emeli-sande/we-started-very-slow-in-america-it-was-small-acoustic-shows-we-played/) [Emeli Sande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emeli-sande/) > [And more importantly what we found with those people is that a lot of them said, "Hey it's not what I thought it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-burk/and-more-importantly-what-we-found-with-those-people-is-that-a-lot-of/) [Bryan Burk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-burk/) > [“I turn and gaze at him midway. Chin up Steele, I chide myself. “Oh... by the way, I’m wearing your underwear.” I gave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-james/i-turn-and-gaze-at-him-midway-chin-up-steele-i-chide-myself-oh-by-the/) [E.L. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-james/) > [When I came out for the 25th anniversary of Raw, I got a great reaction, and it made me feel very good, but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bischoff/when-i-came-out-for-the-25th-anniversary-of-raw-i-got-a-great/) [Eric Bischoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bischoff/) > [Depend on it, that from every condition of distress or evil there is a great reaction, and the greater the evil or distress, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/depend-on-it-that-from-every-condition-of-distress-or-evil-there-is-a/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [I never, like, once I got to the WWE and then, I kind of started to realize that we have something special with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-undertaker/i-never-like-once-i-got-to-the-wwe-and-then-i-kind-of-started-to/) [The Undertaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-undertaker/) > [“Our body is a sacred temple A place to connect with people. 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It's great to have an instinctual human reaction to a character, too, of course, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiwetel-ejiofor/i-ve-always-been-a-believer-in-research-it-s-great-to-have-an/) [Chiwetel Ejiofor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiwetel-ejiofor/) > [There is a broad range of reaction to the work, as there is a broad range of work I make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-hodges/there-is-a-broad-range-of-reaction-to-the-work-as-there-is-a-broad/) [Jim Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-hodges/) ## More by Brett Gelman > [I think that's something that people don't realize enough about when they get into comedy - it's not just about sitting back and observing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-think-that-s-something-that-people-don-t-realize-enough-about-when/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [Dinner is often a very celebratory environment, a very safe place, a time to reflect and let the day go and enjoy good food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/dinner-is-often-a-very-celebratory-environment-a-very-safe-place-a/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I honestly don't see how anyone can view the GOP and the Right as anything but evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-honestly-don-t-see-how-anyone-can-view-the-gop-and-the-right-as/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [Deeper things, heavier things happen to you as you get older and makes you more open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/deeper-things-heavier-things-happen-to-you-as-you-get-older-and-makes/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [What a great way to make some money is just fine somebody $300 if their phone rings in the theatre. 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You can't get more in mainstream than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-love-seinfeld-that-was-not-alternative-you-can-t-get-more-in/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I'm not a stranger to depression and desperation. I can be kind of tortured but I do like to have a lot of fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-m-not-a-stranger-to-depression-and-desperation-i-can-be-kind-of/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [As far as making people feel less depressed, that, in and of itself, is a political act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/as-far-as-making-people-feel-less-depressed-that-in-and-of-itself-is/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I'm an obvious example of how everyone is spiraling out of control on the show and just trying to live life the best they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-m-an-obvious-example-of-how-everyone-is-spiraling-out-of-control-on/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [At the end of the day, stand-up comedy is like acting when the audience are the other characters that I'm acting with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/at-the-end-of-the-day-stand-up-comedy-is-like-acting-when-the/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I've wanted to be a comedian since I was a kid, and my parents were very supportive of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-ve-wanted-to-be-a-comedian-since-i-was-a-kid-and-my-parents-were/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I really am not that hairy on my body. It's weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-really-am-not-that-hairy-on-my-body-it-s-weird/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) > [I get to live a privileged existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brett-gelman/i-get-to-live-a-privileged-existence/) [Brett Gelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) [Explore all 80 Brett Gelman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brett-gelman/) ## 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. 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