--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't know what it is I'm doing. But…" description: "\"I don't know what it is I'm doing. But it's not that. Despite all evidence to the contrary.\" — Edward Gorey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38b/edward-gorey-9339_despite_i-don-t-know-what-it-is-i-m-doing-but-it_377821.jpg" --- # I don't know what it is I'm doing. But it's not that… ![“I don't know what it is I'm doing. But it's not that. Despite all evidence to the contrary.” quote by Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38b/edward-gorey-9339_despite_i-don-t-know-what-it-is-i-m-doing-but-it_377821.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38b/edward-gorey-9339_despite_i-don-t-know-what-it-is-i-m-doing-but-it_377821.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38b/edward-gorey-9339_despite_i-don-t-know-what-it-is-i-m-doing-but-it_377821.jpg) > “I don't know what it is I'm doing. But it's not that. Despite all evidence to the contrary.” [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels uncertain about their actions, sensing a mismatch between intention and reality despite contradictory evidence. **In simple terms:** Uncertainty about actions despite evidence. Key Takeaway Acknowledge confusion and seek clarity. Themes uncertainty self‑doubt perception Mood conflicted reflective Type philosophical introspective When to use this quote - personal decision making - creative projects - relationship dynamics - career choices Key Concepts existential angst cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - What evidence contradicts your belief? - How can you test your assumptions? A Different Perspective The feeling may stem from over‑analysis, hindering decisive action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite/) [Despite Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despite-evidence-1088869/) [Doing Despite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-despite-3433619/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Evidence Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence-contrary-777738/) ## Related quotes > [“I want to believe that, despite all the evidence to the contrary, there is reason to hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-3/i-want-to-believe-that-despite-all-the-evidence-to-the-contrary-there/) [Rachel Cohn, David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn-david-levithan-3/) > [Beliefs: Those things we hold to be true despite evidence to the contrary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-o-connor/beliefs-those-things-we-hold-to-be-true-despite-evidence-to-the/) [Joseph O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-o-connor/) > [Among modern occupations, only cult leaders and TV weathermen rival the technological visionary's ability to retain credibility despite all evidence to the contrary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/among-modern-occupations-only-cult-leaders-and-tv-weathermen-rival/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [“Against all odds and despite all evidence to the contrary, still we trust that there will be a light at the end of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-schoemperlen/against-all-odds-and-despite-all-evidence-to-the-contrary-still-we/) [Diane Schoemperlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-schoemperlen/) > [Unless and until it can be proven that an unborn child is not a human being, can we justify assuming without proof that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/unless-and-until-it-can-be-proven-that-an-unborn-child-is-not-a-human/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Prayer or not, I want to believe that, despite all evidence to the contrary, it is possible for anyone to find that one special…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn/prayer-or-not-i-want-to-believe-that-despite-all-evidence-to-the-2/) [Rachel Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn/) > [I know friends of mine who have never changed their mind about anything in their lives, despite evidence from all directions. And I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-van-dyke/i-know-friends-of-mine-who-have-never-changed-their-mind-about/) [Dick Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-van-dyke/) > [You have to believe in yourself despite the evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-haruf/you-have-to-believe-in-yourself-despite-the-evidence/) [Kent Haruf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-haruf/) > [This is a moral universe, which means that, despite all the evidence that seems to be to the contrary, there is no way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/this-is-a-moral-universe-which-means-that-despite-all-the-evidence-2/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [This is a moral universe, which means that despite all the evidence that seems to be to the contrary, there is no way that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/this-is-a-moral-universe-which-means-that-despite-all-the-evidence/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“…the American reader cannot bear a surprise. He knows that this is the greatest country on earth…and evidence to the contrary is not admissible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/the-american-reader-cannot-bear-a-surprise-he-knows-that-this-is-the/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [But having considered everything which has been said, one could by this believe that the earth and not the heavens is so moved, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-oresme/but-having-considered-everything-which-has-been-said-one-could-by/) [Nicole Oresme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-oresme/) > [ \[O\]ne of the mixed blessings of being twenty and twenty-one and even twenty-three is the conviction that nothing like this, all evidence to the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/o-ne-of-the-mixed-blessings-of-being-twenty-and-twenty-one-and-even/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [“In science, you move closer to the truth by seeking evidence to the contrary. Perhaps the same method should inform your opinions as well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mcraney/in-science-you-move-closer-to-the-truth-by-seeking-evidence-to-the/) [David McRaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mcraney/) > [“People might think that five-year-olds can't be cruel, but I have some strong evidence to the contrary".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-brosgol/people-might-think-that-five-year-olds-can-t-be-cruel-but-i-have-some/) [Vera Brosgol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-brosgol/) ## More by Edward Gorey > [I have given up considering happiness as relevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-have-given-up-considering-happiness-as-relevant/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [Interviewer: What is your greatest regret? Gorey: That I don't have one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/interviewer-what-is-your-greatest-regret-gorey-that-i-don-t-have-one/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I should like a parsley sandwich. To the best of my knowledge they are not in season.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-should-like-a-parsley-sandwich-to-the-best-of-my-knowledge-they-are/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I really think I write about everyday life. I don't think I'm quite as odd as others say I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-really-think-i-write-about-everyday-life-i-don-t-think-i-m-quite-as/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [There was a young lady named Mae Who smoked without stopping all day; As pack followed pack, Her lungs first turned black, And eventually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/there-was-a-young-lady-named-mae-who-smoked-without-stopping-all-day/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [“Apropos of nothing at all except that it has been on my mind and I think I had better say it because it accounts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/apropos-of-nothing-at-all-except-that-it-has-been-on-my-mind-and-i/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [Vice is nice, but a little virtue won't hurt you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/vice-is-nice-but-a-little-virtue-won-t-hurt-you/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [“How elegant! how choice! how gay! To think one doesn’t have to pay. There is sound of falling tears; It comes from nowhere to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/how-elegant-how-choice-how-gay-to-think-one-doesn-t-have-to-pay-there/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I just kind of conjured them up out of my subconscious and put them in order of ascending peculiarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-just-kind-of-conjured-them-up-out-of-my-subconscious-and-put-them/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I've never had any intentions about anything. That's why I am where I am today, which is neither here nor there, in a literal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-ve-never-had-any-intentions-about-anything-that-s-why-i-am-where-i/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [The Suicide, as she is falling, Illuminated by the moon, Regrets her act, and finds appalling The thought she will be dead so soon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/the-suicide-as-she-is-falling-illuminated-by-the-moon-regrets-her-act/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [“He presented it with a length of string and passed on to the statue of Corrupted Endeavor to await the arrival of Autumn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/he-presented-it-with-a-length-of-string-and-passed-on-to-the-statue/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I realize that homosexuality is a serious problem for anyone who is - but then, of course, heterosexuality is a serious problem for anyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-realize-that-homosexuality-is-a-serious-problem-for-anyone-who-is/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [I really think I write about everyday life. I don't think I'm quite as odd as others say I am. Life is intrinsically, well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/i-really-think-i-write-about-everyday-life-i-don-t-think-i-m-quite-as-2/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) > [“A lady both callous and brash Met a man with a vast black moustache; She cried, 'Shave it, O do! And I'll put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gorey/a-lady-both-callous-and-brash-met-a-man-with-a-vast-black-moustache/) [Edward Gorey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) [Explore all 73 Edward Gorey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gorey/) ## More Despite quotes > [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/) [Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/) > [Conservatives, despite their increasingly powerful presence on cable TV and talk radio, feel excluded and disregarded by the longstanding preponderance of liberal voices on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-medved/conservatives-despite-their-increasingly-powerful-presence-on-cable/) [Michael Medved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-medved/) > [If you perform your part, God will fulfill His. And once you put off specifically, you should just as thoroughly believe that God will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/watchman-nee/if-you-perform-your-part-god-will-fulfill-his-and-once-you-put-off/) [Watchman Nee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/watchman-nee/) > [Although I write in English, and despite the fact that I'm from America, I consider myself an Armenian writer. The words I use are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/although-i-write-in-english-and-despite-the-fact-that-i-m-from/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [I don't know why I keep on loving you despite the fact that I'll get hurt again.just like before.I never learn cause I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/i-don-t-know-why-i-keep-on-loving-you-despite-the-fact-that-i-ll-get/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [Where the sky begins, the horizon ends, despite the best intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/where-the-sky-begins-the-horizon-ends-despite-the-best-intentions/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [I do think that despite my best efforts to resist it, I am now a grown-up. It's due to lots of very difficult decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-do-think-that-despite-my-best-efforts-to-resist-it-i-am-now-a-grown/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [With a full century of contrary proof in our possession and despite our demonstrated capacity for cooperative teamwork, some among us seem to accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/with-a-full-century-of-contrary-proof-in-our-possession-and-despite/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [As human beings, we aren't as individual as we'd like to believe we are. And I think that's what makes acting possible. Despite the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-human-beings-we-aren-t-as-individual-as-we-d-like-to-believe-we/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [ Senator \[Tom\] Cotton has campaigned on wanting to kill Obamacare. He voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act back in January, but he now… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/senator-tom-cotton-has-campaigned-on-wanting-to-kill-obamacare-he/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [We must be talented, powerful and resilient creatures indeed given how much we manage to produce despite the constant undercutting, ridicule and needless censorship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/we-must-be-talented-powerful-and-resilient-creatures-indeed-given-how/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [A lot of people say that India has been held back by its democracy. 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