--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who take action have a…" description: "\"Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The power of one is to move many.\" — Elizabeth May" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/elizabeth-may-2556_action_those-who-take-action-have-a-disproporti_1578769.png" --- # Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The… ![“Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The power of one is to move many.” quote by Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/elizabeth-may-2556_action_those-who-take-action-have-a-disproporti_1578769.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/elizabeth-may-2556_action_those-who-take-action-have-a-disproporti_1578769.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17b/elizabeth-may-2556_action_those-who-take-action-have-a-disproporti_1578769.png) > “Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The power of one is to move many.” [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Individual initiative can create outsized change, inspiring collective movement. **In simple terms:** One person's actions can influence many. Key Takeaway Take bold personal action. Themes activism impact collective action leadership Mood inspirational motivational Type activist leadership When to use this quote - community organizing - environmental campaigns - grassroots movements Key Concepts social change empowerment network effects Questions to Reflect On - What small action can you start today? - How can you amplify your impact? A Different Perspective May overlook structural barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action Disproportionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-disproportionate-5959483/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Disproportionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disproportionate/) [Disproportionate Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disproportionate-impact-4846771/) [Impact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact/) [Impact Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impact-power-5959484/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power of one](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-of-one/) ## Related quotes > [Inaction will always have a disproportionate impact on those who are the most disadvantaged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/inaction-will-always-have-a-disproportionate-impact-on-those-who-are/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [We are truly bombarded by images. To break through and be observed, let alone focused on, you have to have impact and power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-bass/we-are-truly-bombarded-by-images-to-break-through-and-be-observed-let/) [Saul Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-bass/) > [Voter ID laws have a disproportionate impact on groups that lean democratic - including blacks, hispanics and students.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-cohen/voter-id-laws-have-a-disproportionate-impact-on-groups-that-lean/) [Adam Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-cohen/) > [Stand Your Ground laws make all of us more vulnerable to the threat of gun violence, but they also have a disproportionate impact on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-mcbath/stand-your-ground-laws-make-all-of-us-more-vulnerable-to-the-threat/) [Lucy McBath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-mcbath/) > [Where we're not wrong or where the cost of settling is so much that it is totally disproportionate to the harm or the error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/where-we-re-not-wrong-or-where-the-cost-of-settling-is-so-much-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our post-denominational age should be the perfect time for a Mormon to become president, or at least the Republican nominee. Mormons share nearly all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/our-post-denominational-age-should-be-the-perfect-time-for-a-mormon/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [To reduce this claim of slavery to an absurdity, it is only necessary to add that there are only two states in which slaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-seward/to-reduce-this-claim-of-slavery-to-an-absurdity-it-is-only-necessary/) [William H. Seward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-seward/) > [I am fairly certain that my abortion position hurt me, because in a Democratic primary, where turnout is relatively low, liberal voters turn out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-casey/i-am-fairly-certain-that-my-abortion-position-hurt-me-because-in-a/) [Robert Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-casey/) > [I have a disproportionate amount of faith in the goodness of the world and that everything will actually work out okay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-crosley/i-have-a-disproportionate-amount-of-faith-in-the-goodness-of-the/) [Sloane Crosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-crosley/) > [“He thought it disproportionate in its violence considering the fragility of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jones/he-thought-it-disproportionate-in-its-violence-considering-the/) [David Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jones/) > [As a city, we have to face the reality that New York's minority communities experience a disproportionate share of violent crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-kelly/as-a-city-we-have-to-face-the-reality-that-new-york-s-minority/) [Raymond Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-kelly/) > [Ingratitude is often disproportionate to the benefaction received.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/ingratitude-is-often-disproportionate-to-the-benefaction-received/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [If disproportionate results come from one activity, then you must give that one activity disproportionate time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-w-keller/if-disproportionate-results-come-from-one-activity-then-you-must-give/) [Gary W. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-w-keller/) > [The entire issue is that women bear a disproportionate share of the hard work. Birthing, carrying, the whole thing - it's hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sessions/the-entire-issue-is-that-women-bear-a-disproportionate-share-of-the/) [Pete Sessions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sessions/) > [Regulatory mandates have a disproportionate effect on small businesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajit-pai/regulatory-mandates-have-a-disproportionate-effect-on-small-businesses/) [Ajit Pai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajit-pai/) ## More by Elizabeth May > [The movement across Canada to fight toxic chemicals is a women's movement. It's a concern about health; it's very intimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/the-movement-across-canada-to-fight-toxic-chemicals-is-a-women-s/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [We have an existential crisis, which is the climate crisis. Canada is one of the laggards in the industrialized world. Our record is terrible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/we-have-an-existential-crisis-which-is-the-climate-crisis-canada-is/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“My ears are bleeding. I have a nasty headache. I'm trapped in a room with a murderous faery and I blame you." "That's fair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/my-ears-are-bleeding-i-have-a-nasty-headache-i-m-trapped-in-a-room/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“Stick by me,” Daniel says to Gavin. “Don’t do anything bloody stupid, all right? Not like last time.” “You know me, old chap,” Gavin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/stick-by-me-daniel-says-to-gavin-don-t-do-anything-bloody-stupid-all/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“I know the power names hold better than anyone. Yesterday, I was a girl without an identity, someone risen from the ashes of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-know-the-power-names-hold-better-than-anyone-yesterday-i-was-a-girl/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [I certainly know that the NDP and the Liberals talk about understanding climate science; they just haven't put forward anything that suggests they actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-certainly-know-that-the-ndp-and-the-liberals-talk-about/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [We've certainly always been a feminist party, with strong feminist principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/we-ve-certainly-always-been-a-feminist-party-with-strong-feminist/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“I'm immortal. You consider the future because one day you'll die. I don't have that uncertainty." - Kiaran”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-m-immortal-you-consider-the-future-because-one-day-you-ll-die-i-don/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“I've changed my mind. Stop inadequately playing human," I say. "Drop her hand and step away. Take a very big step.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-ve-changed-my-mind-stop-inadequately-playing-human-i-say-drop-her/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [My funny speech wasn't funny. That's not the first time a politician has done that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/my-funny-speech-wasn-t-funny-that-s-not-the-first-time-a-politician/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [If one group of people say a woman has a right to choose, I get queasy because I'm against abortion. I don't think a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/if-one-group-of-people-say-a-woman-has-a-right-to-choose-i-get-queasy/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“I buckle my sword sheath to my waist and head for the trees. “If you’re coming, hurry up.” They glance at each other, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-buckle-my-sword-sheath-to-my-waist-and-head-for-the-trees-if-you-re/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [I would love to focus on writing books that were not just about issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-would-love-to-focus-on-writing-books-that-were-not-just-about-issues/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [We appeal to Conservatives who just can't see themselves voting for the corruption and the scandals and the contempt of parliamentary institutions. And of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/we-appeal-to-conservatives-who-just-can-t-see-themselves-voting-for/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [I've been working with every single government since June 1992 to try to get climate action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/i-ve-been-working-with-every-single-government-since-june-1992-to-try/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) [Explore all 161 Elizabeth May quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) ## 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": "Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. 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