Desperation Quote by Dale Carnegie
““When we are harassed and reach the limit of our own strength, many of us then turn in desperation to God-"There are no atheists in foxholes." But why wait till we are desperate? Why not renew our strength every day? Why wait even until Sunday? For years I have had the habit of dropping into empty churches on weekday afternoons. When I feel that I am too rushed and hurried to spare a few minutes to think about spiritual things, I say to myself: "Wait a minute, Dale Carnegie, wait a minute. Why all the feverish hurry and rush, little man? You need to pause and acquire a little perspective." At such times, I frequently drop into the first church that I find open. Although I am a Protestant, I frequently, on weekday afternoons, drop into St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue, and remind myself that I'll be dead in another thirty years, but that the great spiritual truths that all churches teach are eternal. I close my eyes and pray. I find that doing this calms my nerves, rests my body, clarifies my perspective, and helps me revalue my values. May I recommend this practice to you?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Personal anecdote by Dale Carnegie, 20th century
When overwhelmed, pause daily for spiritual reflection to regain perspective and calm.
In simple terms: Pause each day to reflect and find calm.
Key Takeaway
Take short breaks for spiritual grounding.
Themes
stress
reflection
spirituality
Mood
contemplative
calming
Type
advice
personal development
When to use this quote
- busy workday
- personal crisis
- daily routine
Key Concepts
mindfulness
perspective
values
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you create a brief reflective pause without religious context?
- What daily habit can replace the church visit?
A Different Perspective
May be impractical for non‑religious or time‑pressed individuals.
